If you live within the City of Cortland and notice that a sidewalk has not been cleared of snow in a timely manner, you can contact the City of Cortland Code Office, either by phone or online, to report a violation.
Phone: 607-753-1741
Online: http://www.cortland.org/city/fire/codeviolation.htm
Each jurisdiction deals with this differently but within the City of Cortland here is what the Code says about property owners keeping their sidewalks shoveled.
§ 245-7
Duty to keep sidewalk free of snow, ice and other obstructions.
[Amended 2-17-1981 by Ord. No. 1981-1; 12-15-1987]
It shall be the duty and responsibility of the owner of any lot fronting upon any public street, alley, park or place within the City to maintain the entire width of the sidewalk in front of the premises and street crossing access on corner lots free and clear from snow, ice and other obstructions. Such removal shall be completed by 6:00 p.m. the following day. In the event of a continuous long-term snowfall or blowing and drifting of snow, removal shall occur on a minimum of twenty-four-hour intervals.
§ 245-8
Removal of snow, ice or other obstructions by Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 2-3-1970 by Ord. No. 1970-5; 3-3-1970 by Ord. No. 1970-8; 2-17-1981 by Ord. No. 1981-1; 12-15-1987]
A.
Authority. Upon the failure of an owner or occupant of property to remove snow, ice and obstructions as prescribed in § 245-7, the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the power to remove the same and charge the cost thereof to the owner of said property. Such charge shall be in addition to any penalties for violation.
B.
Collection of cost. Thereupon, the Department of Administration and Finance shall mail a statement to said owner or occupant to pay such cost, plus an administrative fee of $25, which shall become due and payable within 30 days from the mailing thereof. If such cost is not paid within such time, interest shall be charged thereon at the same rate as delinquent property taxes, per annum, and, if such cost with interest and administrative fee is not paid by December 31 of the year in which it is incurred, such cost and interest shall be added to the real property City tax rolls chargeable to said property and shall be collected in the same manner as any unpaid real property City tax.
§ 245-9
Penalties for offenses: snow and ice removal.
[Amended 12-15-1987]
A.
The Code Enforcement Officer inspecting and reporting violations of § 245-7 of this article shall send notice of the violation to the owner on record per the Assessor’s files, at the address as on record per the Assessor’s files, by registered or certified mail service. Within five days from receipt of such notice, the owner may pay or cause to be paid to the City of Cortland, through the Code Enforcement Office, as a penalty for and in full satisfaction of such violation the monetary sum as indicated by the appropriate checked box on the same line thereto. Such penalty shall be in addition to the cost of removal and administrative fee. The failure of the owner to make such payment shall render the owner subject to the penalties as provided in 245-10 of this article.
B.
The following penalties shall be in addition to the cost of removal and administrative fee described in § 245-8 of this article. Any person(s) violating § 245-7 of this article shall be guilty of a violation of the Code of the City of Cortland and, upon conviction, shall be punished by the fine prescribed herein:
Offense Fine
1st offense in 24-month period $25
2nd offense in 24-month period $25
3rd offense in 24-month period $75
4th offense in 24-month period $125
Any subsequent offense in 24-month period $250
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