STURGIS – It’s winter weather season, and Sturgis Code Enforcement Officer Donavan Coonrod reminds residents and property owners of their responsibilities to maintain clear and safe sidewalks.

Accumulations of snow and ice pose significant hazards to public safety and are considered a public nuisance under city ordinance, Coonrod said.

Here are some key points of the Sturgis city ordinance:

• Public Nuisance Declaration: Snow and ice left uncleared on sidewalks are officially declared a public nuisance due to the danger they present to citizens and users of public walkways.
• Mandatory Removal: Owners or occupants of any property fronting or abutting a sidewalk are required to remove snow and ice to the full width of the sidewalk within 15 hours after the snowfall or ice formation ends.
• Prohibition on Snow Disposal: It is illegal to deposit snow from sidewalks into the public right-of-way (ROW) of streets or alleys, particularly after the city has conducted plowing operations. This includes placing or piling snow onto the property of another without explicit permission from the owner.
• Responsibilities of Absentee Owners: Owners who do not reside at their properties must arrange for snow and ice removal in accordance with the ordinance.

The City of Sturgis takes the safety of its pedestrians seriously and enforcement of this ordinance will be carried out to ensure compliance. Property owners and residents are urged to take immediate action following a snowfall to prevent accidents and ensure safe passage for all pedestrians, the police chief said.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, as outlined in the City's Title 15 of city ordinance.

“We appreciate the cooperation of all residents and property owners in keeping our community safe and walkable during the winter months,” Coonrod said.

If a property owner or responsible person doesn't clear the snow as they're supposed to after being notified, the city can have someone else do it. The cost of this snow removal, plus a $50 administrative fee, will be charged to the owner of the property that's next to the sidewalk where the snow was cleared.

For more information on snow removal policies and compliance guidelines, please visit https://tinyurl.com/yc3sb79s, or contact the Sturgis Police Department at 605-347-5070.