Some Metro Vancouver municipalities have already handed out fines to residents who didn't shovel their sidewalks after last week's snow storm.
Plenty of Vancouver residents failed to clear their sidewalks following last week’s snow storm contrary to a city bylaw, but no one has been fined — yet.
After Tuesday’s storm dumped up to 15 cm of snow across Metro Vancouver, the City of Vancouver received 908 complaints about sidewalks that weren’t shovelled.
Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion delivered straight to your inbox at 7 a.m., Monday to Friday.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Sunrise presented by Vancouver Sun will soon be in your inbox.
Vancouver, like most Metro Vancouver municipalities, requires homeowners or occupants to get the job done before 10 a.m. after a snow event or they face penalties.
In Vancouver, residents can be fined $250. No fines were issued this time, but bylaw officers might not be so forgiving after subsequent storms.
“For the first snowfall of the season we focus on reminders, re-education and encouragement rather then moving directly to enforcement and fines,” said city spokeswoman Elayne Sun in an email.
Since the 2017-2018 winter season, the city has received a total of 4,051 complaints filed through 311 and has issued 5,128 notices to property owners. During last year’s busy snow season, the city issued 279 fines to those who neglected to clear a path on the sidewalks for themselves and public users.
In Coquitlam, 16 complaints have been lodged with the city this season to date. No tickets have been issued “as voluntary compliance was met on each occasion,” said bylaw enforcement manager Aaron Hilgerdenaar.
Similarly, the District of West Vancouver has received two complaints related to uncleared sidewalks but after talking with property owners, a resolution was reached and no fines were issued.
Other cities, however, have already handed out fines.
In Surrey, bylaw officers have handed out five $55 bylaw fines to property owners who left their sidewalks snowy or icy even after receiving warnings from the city.
In total, the city received 220 complaints of unshovelled sidewalks from last week’s storm. After bylaw officers investigated, 64 of the properties had the snow. immediately shovelled. Warnings were issued to the remaining 156 and given until the following morning to comply. The five properties that failed to clear their sidewalks were ticketed.
In Burnaby, two properties have been slapped with stiff fines: a $200 fine on Dec. 1 and a $320 fine issued on Dec. 3. Issuing citations are a last resort, said city spokesman Cole Wagner, as the city aims to educate residents first and only issue fines when necessary.
chchan@postmedia.com
twitter.com/cherylchan
-
Metro Vancouver snowstorm: Power back for 95% of affected customers | Alex Fraser Bridge closure strands motorists | Plane gets stuck off YVR taxiway
-
Commute from hell: Drivers share their snowstorm nightmares
-
Snowstorm forecast to bring 20 cm or more to parts of Metro Vancouver
More news, fewer ads: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 per week, you can get unlimited, ad-lite access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.