Bylaw Requires Residents to Pre-Treat Sidewalks in Icy Conditions

Chatham-Kent Public Works has determined that there is a substantial probability of ice formation for all municipal sidewalks. Residents and property owners are reminded that although the municipality plows all sidewalks in the winter, property owners/occupants, other than those within Downtown Business Areas, are required to pre-treat any sidewalk surrounding their property within the next 24 hours. De-icing is also required within 48 hours following a snowfall.

As per Chatham-Kent's Winter Maintenance Bylaw (178-2019) “every owner or occupant, other than those within Downtown Business Areas, shall treat any sidewalk abutting his or her buildings or lands on all sides within twenty-four (24) hours following notice being released by the Corporation; and treat sidewalks that are icy within twenty-four (24) hour hours of the ice formation.”

What you can do:

  • Clear snow before it settles, hardens, and packs down
  • Chip ice during the day when it is softer and easier to break
  • Use sand or salt to increase traction and/or melt ice from the sidewalk

The Winter Maintenance Bylaw (178-2019) can be found under the list of municipal bylaws on the municipal website here: https://www.chatham-kent.ca/localgovernment/bylaws/Pages/List-of-By-Laws.aspx

Chatham-Kent’s Snow Plow Tracker and Frequently Asked Questions for winter control can be found on the municipal website at https://www.chatham-kent.ca/services/maintenance/Pages/Snow-Plow-Tracker.aspx.

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Eric Labadie 
Manager, Corporate Communications 
Municipality of Chatham-Kent 
ericl@chatham-kent.ca