Days after the last snowfall in the Lower Mainland, some local governments are starting to crack down – sort of – on residents and businesses that still haven't cleared their sidewalks.
Several storms, combined with warm days and chilly nights, left a layer of ice and crunchy snow over the province's South Coast. While most streets have been plowed, the sidewalks are still slippery.
The deep freeze has set in, and local governments are now turning their focus to home and business owners who aren't following bylaws about sidewalk maintenance.
In Vancouver, residents are required to clear all snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks surrounding their property by 10 a.m. the morning after the snow starts. The city has sent out 910 notices to owners over sidewalk issues.
The city said there has been a 95 per cent compliance rate from business owners, and 85 per cent from owners of residential properties. Approximately 1,400 properties have been inspected, a spokesperson said.
Surrey officials have given 41 warnings over sidewalks, all based on complaints from the public. No one has been fined yet in either region.
In that city, residents and businesses must clear accumulated snow on sidewalks adjacent to their property "as soon as possible."
Further east, Chilliwack officials have already started fining those who fail to clear their sidewalks.
"We have sent notices out to people who are not doing that… We've gone and delivered them and some have complied and some will be receiving a bylaw fine," Mayor Sharon Gaetz said Thursday.
Residents of areas with unplowed sidewalks told CTV News they were worried about the safety of those who use the walkways.
"It's unsafe… it's kind of scary," one woman said, noting that it is especially dangerous for the elderly.
In places where the sidewalks are particularly slippery, she's been walking on the street instead.
"I'm just worried if I fall down what's going to happen to me," she said.
With a report from CTV Vancouver's Scott Hurst
