Williston Has Strict Snow Removal Laws | Video

Evan Kruegel | 11/13/2012

If the snow stops falling at midnight, and you haven`t shoveled your sidewalk by 10:00 a.m., you`re technically in violation of Williston`s snow removal ordinance. But Public Works Engineer Scott Molstad says not to worry, the law is much stricter than what is actually enforced.

"We`re not going to be too stringent about it, but the ordinance states ten hours, so within a reasonable amount of time that sidewalk must be cleared."

Luckily for violators, the city`s definition of a reasonable amount of time is much more lenient than the ordinance states.

"Several days later. Obviously, we don`t have the time to monitor all the sidewalks that we have here in town. If it becomes an issue and we get complaints, we will address it at that time, but the resident will be contacted before we do any drastic measures."

Sam Keck already shoveled his sidewalk. This morning, he had to shovel out his work truck. He says waiting to shovel only adds more work in the long run.

"Once it comes down and it`s fresh, it`s a lot easier to get off. And once its been down for a couple of days it`s a little bit more difficult to get off the ground."

Three days after the storm, his neighborhood is in pretty good shape, but there are still some people who haven`t shoveled at all.

"I think the majority of people get out and clear off their sidewalks and make sure their place is taken care of, but there are several people who don`t really care about their lot, they just walk through the snow."

Property owners are asked to shovel snow into their yards or onto city boulevards, and not into the street. Similar standards are placed on businesses with parking lots, and while there aren`t any specific laws requiring them to do so, they`re also asked to remove snow in a timely manner. The snow removal ordinance also applies to vehicles parked on emergency byways.

Any time more than three inches of snow accumulates, these vehicles must be moved to allow full access for snow-plows. By staying put, they`re almost guaranteed to be plowed in.

"Obviously that`s a punishment in itself, but it`s an unintended punishment”, Molstad said laughing. “We don`t intentionally plow in vehicles, but we have to work around what`s there."

While Williston`s ordinance may be strict, it`s all in an effort to keep sidewalks and streets safe.

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