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To amend City Code ? 24-34, concerning duty to remove snow from paved sidewalks, to modify responsibilities, penalties, and definitions.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
? 1. That section 24-34 of the Code of City of Richmond (2020) be and is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 24-34. Duty to remove snow and ice from paved sidewalks.
(a) It shall be the duty of every occupant, except in the case of properties with three or more units at which point it will be the duty of the owner, of any land or premises abutting upon any paved sidewalk and the duty of the owner of any unoccupied land or premises abutting upon any paved sidewalk to remove and clear away or cause to be removed and cleared away the snow, ice, and any other frozen precipitation from the paved sidewalk abutting such land or premises, in such manner as not to obstruct the passage of water in the gutters, within six hours after the snow ceases to fall. If snow [ceases], ice, and any other frozen precipitation cease to fall during the night, removal of snow from the sidewalk before 11:00 a.m. the following morning shall be deemed compliance with this section.
(b) Any person violating this section shall [be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor] pay a civil penalty of $100.00 and, in addition thereto, shall be responsible for the cost of abating the violation. Any abatement costs incurred by the City may be assessed against the owner or other responsible party and collected in the same manner as City taxes.
(c) The [criminal] penalties provided by this section shall not apply to any person who is physically disabled or who is age 65 years or older.
(d) The Chief Administrative Officer may waive penalties for violations occurring during a declared "state of emergency" or "local emergency" as defined in Code of Virginia ? 44-146.16.
? 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: March 19, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Council ...
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