City ordinances in Shell Lake and Spooner state that you have 24 hours after a snowfall to remove the snow from your sidewalk or you may be subject to fines.
According to Spooner City ordinance [Sec. 62-6. - Snow and ice.]...
(a) Removal. Within 24 hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, it shall be the duty of the owners and/or the occupants of any lot or parcel of land in the city to remove, or cause to be removed, the snow from any and all sidewalks and the nearest cross sidewalks adjacent to the premises of such owner or occupant and to keep the same free and clear of snowand ice for the full width of the sidewalk.
(b) Failure to remove. In case of failure or neglect of any owner or occupant of any land or parcel of land to remove the snowfrom sidewalks as specified in subsection (a) of this section within the time set forth in such subsection, and the owner or occupant has failed to remove such snow from sidewalks as required, the common council designee shall remove or cause the snow to be removed from any and all sidewalks and cross sidewalks that may be so neglected by the owner or occupant. A fee, with a minimum of an amount as set by the council from time to time, shall be assessed against the owner or occupant for the costs and expense of moving such snow. The fee will be charged against the respective lots and parcels of land adjacent to which such work shall be done, as a special tax, and such sums shall be collected in the same manner as other special taxes.
(c) Prohibited placement. Except as provided in this section, no person shall deposit or cause to be deposited any snow or ice taken and removed from his premises or elsewhere upon any sidewalk, alley, parkway, public place or street in the city; provided, however, that the person depositing such snow shall, within one hour thereafter, cause the same to be removed from such street.
(d) Snow and ice declared nuisance. The deposit of any snow or ice upon any sidewalk, alley or street of the city contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be and is declared to be a nuisance, and in addition to the penalty provided for violation of this section, the city may similarly remove any snow or ice so deposited and cause the costs of such removal to be charged to the owner or occupant of the property from which the snow or ice has been removed.
(e) Penalties. In addition to the liability of the owner or occupant of lands under subsection (b) of this section, the penalty for violation of any provision of this section will be as provided in section 1-11. A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each day of which a violation of this section occurs or continues.
In the City of Spooner, 1st offense violation could result in a fine of no less than $25, and up to $500.
Shell Lake Police Chief, Dave Wilson, states to DrydenWire that the Shell Lake ordinance for snow removal mirrors that of Spooner's and that the reason for the variance in fines is to allow law enforcement the flexiblity to fine more for repeat offenders of the city ordinance, but would prefer people would simply remove the snow in a timely fashion to avoid any fines to begin with.
However, fines may not be the only issue you may have to deal with if you don't remove the snow from around your mailbox if you want to continue to receive mail.
According to the The U.S. Postal Service...
The winter weather is officially underway and the Postal Service asks customers to clear snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs and mailboxes to help letter carriers deliver mail during inclement weather.
“Snow and ice make delivery dangerous,” say local Postmasters. “Maintaining a clear path to the mail box – including steps, porches, walkways and street approach – will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service.”
Customers receiving door delivery should make sure their sidewalks, steps and porches are clear.
Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes. The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort. Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.
Lastly, don't forget to remove the snow from around any fire hydrant in front of your residence.
Last Update: Dec 12, 2016 1:41 pm CST
