Township of Lower Merion, PA Article II Snow and Ice Removal

[Adopted 11-17-1954 by Ord. No. 1092]

§ 133-4 Public nuisance; clearing of sidewalks required.

[Amended 11-19-2014 by Ord. No. 4038; 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 4096]

A. The allowance, permitting or causing of snow or ice to lie upon, remain upon or be piled or accumulated upon the sidewalks of the Township shall constitute a public nuisance.

B. It shall be the duty of all tenants or occupants of occupied properties, and the owners or agents in charge of unoccupied properties, abutting on public streets in the Township of Lower Merion, not later than 24 hours after snow or sleet has ceased to fall, to clear or cause to be cleared a pathway in the sidewalk in front of their respective properties in accordance with the guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA compliant). The pathway shall be not less than 36 inches (three feet) in width and shall be thoroughly cleared of snow and ice. Should the snow and ice on the sidewalk be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without injury to the pavement, the sidewalk shall be strewn with sand, ashes, sawdust, salt or similar abrasive materials. Snow must also be removed from that portion of the sidewalk leading to the street(s) adjacent to corner properties, including ADA ramps.

C. Snow is unavoidably pushed onto sidewalks and driveways or other curb openings as a result of snow plow operations by the Township. Clearing such snow remains the responsibility of the tenants or occupants of occupied properties and the owners or agents in charge of unoccupied properties.

§ 133-4.1 Method of removal of snow and ice; placement in street prohibited.

[Added 11-16-2016 by Ord. No. 4096]

A. Snow or ice removed from sidewalk areas must be placed on the property from which it was removed.

B. If there shall be an excessive amount of snow or ice, and there is no longer any place on the property to deposit the snow or ice, then it may be placed along the property side of the curbline.

C. It is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and it shall be unlawful to shovel, plow, throw or deposit snow or ice into or upon a public street in the Township in a manner which allows the snow to remain on such street.

D. It shall be unlawful to throw or pile any snow around or upon any fire hydrant or drain.

§ 133-5 Violations and penalties.

[Amended 9-21-1977 by Ord. No. 1802; 8-3-1988 by Ord. No. 3104]

Summary proceedings for failure to comply with the provisions of § 133-4 of this article may be instituted by the Township before any District Justice, and any person, firm or corporation convicted of violating the provisions of § 133-4 of this article shall be punishable by a fine or penalty of not less than $1 and not more than $600 for such offense, recoverable as such fines or penalties are by law recoverable; provided, however, that each period of 24 hours during which the prohibited conditions shall be allowed to continue shall constitute a new and separate offense hereunder.