As the temperature slowly decreases, and we start feeling the cold, we know winter is here. As much as we love winter and the snow, we know the city has seen some very cold and snowy winters throughout the years. So far in history, the snowiest winter recorded was the winter of 1978-1979 with 89.7 inches of snow falling.
Last year, The Windy City saw an average of 36.2 inches of snowfall in only 22 days. There was a record 9 straight days of measurable snowfall recorded at Chicago O'Hare Airport. As much as we love a snowy Chicago, we also know it can get intense. Snow is a huge cause of accidents. The conditions are treacherous and car accidents and slip & falls are an unfortunate given. Are landlords responsible for snow removal? They are. Removing snow can get a little bit tricky and fines may apply if it is not done properly.
Snow Removal Law
Now, as a property management company we know how it can get very chaotic when there are days of continuous snow. People are trying to get to work or school but their driveways and sidewalks are completely covered in snow. So who is responsible for removing snow in Chicago? The government, landlord, tenants?
Normally the department of DSS (Streets and Sanitation) is the one in charge of Chicago's snow and ice control efforts from Snow Command. Technology from the command center allows the city to quickly assess the conditions of the pavements and see where snow removal is needed. The Department of Street and Sanitation coordinates the cleaning of main roads, expressway system and Lake Shore Drive. According to Section 10-8-180 of the Municipal Code of Chicago "every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground in the city, abutting upon any public way or public space, shall remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of such building".
Who is in charge of removing the snow will totally depend on who is in charge of the property where the snow is accumulated. It is important to note that the section 10-9-190 of the Municipal Code also clarifies who can be liable for civil damages. Landlord’s are not responsible for paying civil damages caused by removing -or not removing- snow. This does not apply if the landlord was careless or intentionally created a risk.
Sidewalk Regulations
The sidewalks need to be cleared 7 days a week, If the snow falls between 7am and 7pm, sidewalks must be cleared by 10 p.m. If the snow falls between 7pm and 7am, sidewalks must be cleared by 10 a.m.et So the basic things that need to be done are:
1. Clear a five-foot wide path. This width is enough for pedestrians walking both ways, including citizens with wheelchairs, strollers etc.
2. Landlords and/or those responsible must place salt or sand to try and reduce the amount of ice forming.
3. For absolutely no reason, the snow removed should end up on the street, bus stops, bike paths or alley ways. Ensure fire hydrants are always visible.
4. For safety purposes, the downspouts of the building should be correctly placed away from the sidewalks.
Failure to follow these regulations can end up in fines. Fines change depending if it's an individual, which can go up to $500 per day, and if it is a business it can be up to $1,000 per day.
Snow Parking Restrictions
Throughout 107 miles of highly transited streets, the government bans Chicagoans from parking between 3 am to 7 am from December 1st to April 1st regardless of the snow. When there are two inches of snow, a separate ban exists for another 500 miles of major streets. These parking banks were implemented after Chicago came to a traffic standstill due to snowstorms between 1967 and 1979.
Fees can vary between a $150 towing fee (minimum) in addition to a $60 ticket and an initial $25 per day storage fee.
Named one of the Best Property Management Companies in Chicago, Landmark Property Management is a full-service brokerage with a reputation for going the extra mile for our clients. If you need help, have any questions, or are interested in learning from the best property management company in Chicago, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at Landmark Property Management via phone at 312-313-8553 or send us an email at office@landmarkrgc.com.
