[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Washington 9-3-2014 by Ord. No. 248. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Washington Township Sidewalk
and Walkway Maintenance Ordinance."
Except where otherwise indicated by the context, the following
definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this
chapter:
Supervisors of Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Shall include any person or persons, male or female, corporation,
partnership, association, company, individual, owner, occupant, lessee,
tenant or any other organization.
A property shall be considered to be serviced by a sidewalk
or walkway if the property has a sidewalk or walkway located between
the front, side or rear of the center point of the property and a
street, regardless of who owns the property that the sidewalk or walkway
is located on.
A paved or concrete path or walkway intended for public use
that fronts upon a street, is located on a street, is located in the
street right-of-way, runs along a street, or is located on the property
of the property owner.
Any public roadway within the Township of Washington.
The occupant, lessee, tenant or person, other than the owner,
having charge of any building, lot or parcel of ground.
Any paved or unpaved pedestrian path intended for public
use that fronts upon a street, is located on a street, is located
in the street right-of-way, runs along a street, or is located on
the property of a property owner.
It shall be unlawful for any property owner whose property is
serviced by a sidewalk or walkway:
A.Â
To permit or create obstruction or hazards to pedestrian or vehicular
traffic upon a sidewalk, walkway, or street within the Township.
B.Â
To allow or permit snow or ice to lie upon, remain upon or be piled
or accumulated upon a sidewalk or walkway located on the property,
abutting or adjoining the property, or located anywhere between the
center line of a street located along the property and the property
lines for the property for more than 48 hours.
C.Â
To deposit or permit to be deposited and keep any rubbish, trash
or materials of any character whatsoever upon a sidewalk, walkway,
or street within the Township.
A.Â
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner whose property
is serviced by a sidewalk or walkway, not later than 48 hours after
snow has ceased to fall, to clear or cause to be cleared a pathway
in the sidewalk or walkway located on the property, abutting or adjoining
the property, or located anywhere between the center line of a street
and the property lines for the property. Such pathway shall be not
less than 30 inches in width and shall be thoroughly cleared of snow
and ice or other obstruction.
B.Â
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner whose property
is serviced by a sidewalk or walkway to ensure that sidewalks and
walkways are in such a condition that it is safe for the public to
use the sidewalks and walkways. The property owner shall be responsible
for making any and all repairs necessary to ensure that the sidewalks
and walkways are kept in a safe condition. This requirement shall
apply to any sidewalk or walkway located on the property, abutting
or adjoining the property, or located anywhere between the center
line of a street located along the property and the property lines
for the property.
A.Â
Snow or ice removed from sidewalk and walkway areas shall not be
placed within the cartway of any public street.
B.Â
If ice on the sidewalk or walkway cannot be removed without damaging
the pavement or base material, the property owner shall use a suitable
abrasive material to ensure pedestrian safety until the ice may be
removed.
C.Â
Fire hydrants shall not be covered.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter,
or who shall fail to comply with the conditions or requirements in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter, shall upon conviction
thereof be liable to pay a fine of $100 for the first offense and
not more than $1,000 for any subsequent offense. A new and separate
offense shall be deemed to have been committed for each day that said
violation exists. All fines imposed by this chapter are recoverable
by summary proceedings before any District Justice and upon recovery
thereof, all such fines shall be paid into the Treasury of the Township.
