Neighbors Haven’t Shoveled Yet? Let the City Know

It’s nearing 24 hours after the end of the most recent snowstorm. Still have snow on your city sidewalks? You had better remove it soon.

Remember, snow and ice must be removed from your sidewalk “within 24 hours of daylight” after the end of a storm, according to Section 12.20 of the municipal code. That means if the snow stops overnight — and the most recent snow did early Friday morning — you have 24 hours from the next sunrise (approximately 7 a.m. Friday) to clear public sidewalks.

If you don’t comply, according to our code, “the Street Superintendent shall without notice have the ice and snow removed therefrom” … and have the service charged to the homeowner “as a special tax against said lot or parcel of land, and the same shall be collected in all respects like other taxes upon real estate.” (Section 12.26).

Now, the vast majority of South Milwaukee property owners take care of this with no problem. But there are more than a few that don’t, and given the number of foreclosed, bank-owned and rental properties in our city, I fear a number of sidewalks won’t be cleared in time.

This is a safety issue, and I strongly encourage residents who see unshoveled sidewalks to call the Street Department and let them know.

The number is 768-8075.