Bloomington-Normal property owners responsible for removing sidewalk snow, ice

Posted on December 20, 2016

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Sidewalks are city property, but property owners in both Bloomington and Normal are responsible for removing snow or ice from those sidewalks, according to ordinances in both cities.

The ordinance in Bloomington calls for a fine of between $25 and $200 per day for those in the central business district who fail to clear the sidewalks. Normal has similar rules.

“I got home last night and for the second or third time was throwing salt out on the sidewalk in front of my home,” said Bloomington City Manager David Hales. “But yes, that’s a property owner responsibility.”

Residents should have snow removed within four business hours once a storm has stopped or by 10 a.m. the morning following the storm.

“If the problem is such that a neighbor or others feel that property owners are neglecting that responsibility they can contact our Community Development office,” Hales said.

Hales added the city tries to remind citizens of this responsibility annually.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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