With winter weather approaching State College, local officials are stressing the importance of keeping sidewalks clear of snow, ice and other obstructions such as leaves.
"I wouldn't say that [keeping sidewalks clear] is a big problem, but I would say that it's an important problem," said Lori Sowash, State College borough ordinance enforcement officer.
Residents of the borough are generally good about keeping their sidewalks clear, but problems do occur with students and rental properties because of the frequent change of residents, Sowash said.
About 80 percent of State College residents are responsible for their sidewalks and the property, Sowash said.
"It seems like a huge problem because of the people who don't clear their sidewalks," she added.
Though the borough's ordinance states that property owners are responsible for sidewalk cleaning, many owners put clauses in the leases that make renters responsible, even when they're out of town, Sowash added.
Improper clearing of sidewalks is also a problem because it only takes a small patch of ice or snow for someone to slip, she said. The entire sidewalk must be cleared to accommodate people in wheelchairs and to make it possible for more than one person to walk on the sidewalk, Sowash said.
Residents have 24 hours to clear obstructions after they fall (in the case of snow or leaves) or occur (in the case of ice), the ordinance on ob-structions says.
When sidewalks are not cleared, the property owner could be fined anywhere from $50 to $600, according to the ordinance.
If the property owner continues to neglect the sidewalk or refuses to clear it, the borough will hire someone to clear the sidewalk and charge the owner the cost of clearing plus an additional 10 percent of the price, the ordinance says.
