Hundreds of Warning Letters Sent to Tardy Shovelers: Report

ROCKVILLE, MD — Hundreds of warning letters were mailed to Montgomery County property owners who didn’t clear their sidewalks of snow and ice following last month’s blizzard, but few tickets were issued, Montgomery Community Media reports.

Across the county, 648 snow letters were sent to property owners following complaints of sidewalks that were difficult to navigate because of snow and ice.

The county’s snow letter says: “We have received a complaint that you are in violation of Section 49-24A of the Montgomery County Code, Accumulation of Snow and Ice on Property. The Pedestrian Winter Safety Act of 2001, passed by the County Council, requires the owner/occupants of single family residential properties and commercial properties and multi family property owners to clear sidewalks and walkways along streets and roads adjacent to ones properties…The clearing of snow or spreading of sand or other abrasive must be accomplished within 24 hours after the end of the snow or ice event.”

The warning letters spurred most owners to clear their walks, a county official told the media outlet.

Montgomery County Spokesperson Patrick Lacefield said only two citations were issued. One of the tickets was issued to a commercial business and the other was a residential group home. The fine is $50.

Most of the complaints about snow covered sidewalks were reported via the county’s 311 system, according to Lacefield.

In the city of Gaithersburg, there were no citations written following the blizzard, although 161 warnings were issued to property owners.

In Rockville, there were 300 warnings issued and 15 citations. Three of the 15 offenses were written to addresses along Rockville Pike. Each citation in Rockville carries a $100 fine.