The city gave residents extra time to get sidewalks cleared because of the magnitude of the storm, but now they're cracking down.
The city requires residents to shovel a 30 inch wide path on their sidewalks within 6 hours of a snowstorm.
If that's not done, residents can face a fine for $50 per day that it's not done.
The city streets department walked the streets of Philadelphia on Tuesday, ticketing residents who haven't shoveled their sidewalks.
"You don't want to have an elderly person, or a child walking to school, slip and fall on this and break an arm, break a leg," said Officer Kerry Withers. "Anything can happen."
Withers said vacant rentals are the biggest problem.
Mary Stelly has several on her block.
"I have a handicapped child who has to get the bus to get to school, and she can't get to school this week because it's hard to get to the bus with the snow blocking the sidewalks," Stelly said.
Then there are those who must walk our sidewalks on a daily basis. Mailman Jim Brown certainly knows the frustration of a snow covered walkway and he has his own way of dealing with violators.
"If they don't shovel, we don't deliver," Brown said.
"A lot of people see us as the bad guys because we're out here writing tickets, but we're out here to make sure everyone's safe," said Officer Withers. "But you don't want anyone to fall on your property. $50 is minor compared to what they can sue you for!"
Below is the city code pertaining to snow removal from sidewalks.
PHILADELPHIA CODE 10-720 REGARDING SNOW REMOVAL FROM SIDEWALKS
According to the Philadelphia Code (10-720), "(1) the owner, agent, and tenants of any building or premise shall clear a path of not less than 30 inches in width on all sidewalks abutting the building or premises within 6 (six) hours after the snow has ceased to fall. The path shall be thoroughly cleared of snow and ice. Where the width of any pavement measured from the property line to the curb is less than 3 (three) feet, the path cleared may be only 12 inches in width. When the building in question is a multifamily dwelling the owner or his agent shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of this section."
(2) Snow or ice removed from sidewalks, driveways, or other areas shall not be placed or piled in the street.
(3) Any person who violates this Section shall be subject to the provisions and penalties set forth in 10-718 and 10-719.
The penalty for violating this provision can range from "a minimum fine of fifty dollars ($50) and no more than three hundred dollars ($300) for each violation."
Private plows piling snow in the street after city forces have gone through to clear the roadway, is also a problem. This practice is illegal as well as a hazard to drivers and pedestrians.
For more, visit this FAQ about Philadelphia snow removal and regulations
