City ordinance requires certain Urbana residents to clean off sidewalks

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — After another round of snow, the city of Urbana put a snow ordinance in place.

Residents living in Downtown, University, and South Philo districts are required to clean off their sidewalks of snow and ice by Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

The purpose it to be able to keep pedestrians safe.

"So that was the main purpose, to make that safer travel … the students, you know, Lincoln avenue is a big one. The students going back and forth to class and getting home safely," said Code Compliance Inspector Jason Arrasmith.

Residents need to clean it off before the deadline, or they face a minimum of a $50 dollar fine.

"The city will come out and clean it, and then the property owner will see the bill for that clean, plus the fine … starting at a $50 dollar fine. It goes up from there. If we have to come back for multiple events or whatever within a year, the cost is based off of the amount of time it takes to clear in the use of things like salt to help mitigate the ice," said Arrasmith.

Even if your area isn't covered by the mandate, city officials hope as many people as possible will clear up their walkways for pedestrians.

"They've concentrated on these areas, but … we want everybody to participate and get things safer for everybody."