December 31, 2021
As city crews prepare for winter weather this weekend, we want to remind everyone to be safe. Stay off the roads if you can and allow for more time to get to your destination when you have to go out.
For city snow operations information and live traffic cameras, you can visit www.lawrenceks.org/snow.
To make public sidewalks safe for all pedestrians, we want to remind all Lawrence property owners that they are required to keep the sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice within 48 hours of a winter storm. More information is here: Get the Facts: Sidewalk Snow Removal.
The owner of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for the removal of any snow or ice that accumulates on the sidewalk. Ordinance Number 8324 applies to all public sidewalks in the city and is primarily handled on a complaint-based system. Removal must be done within 48 hours after the ice forms or the snowfall ends. For example, if a snow or ice weather event stops at 8:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning, then by Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m., the sidewalks should be clear or the property owner could potentially face a citation from the city’s Code Enforcement division.
“The purpose of this snow and ice removal ordinance is to create an environment of safe walkways for pedestrians,” said Brian Jimenez, code enforcement manager. “In the event that removal of ice is impossible, the property owner is required to place sand on the sidewalk within 48 hours.”
“If a resident sees a sidewalk that has not been cleared within 48 hours of a snow event, they can call our division at (785) 832-7700 or go online and submit the violation online or through the Lawrence Listens app,” said Jimenez. “It is helpful if the complainant can provide a specific address instead of a general area; this allows us to be the most efficient we can be when processing complaints.”
We encourage neighbors to help neighbors and the City of Lawrence and the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County collaborate on the Safe Winter Walkways program annually to provide help for those who may not be able to clear snow on their own. We are seeking volunteers who can assist residents with sidewalk snow removal. To volunteer to help Lawrence residents who can’t physically shovel their sidewalks, fill out and submit this sign up form or call (785) 727-7875.
