Sidewalk Clearance

Residents are responsible for maintaining bushes/trees/flowers/grass lawn areas to ensure:

• Tree branches are at least 8 feet above sidewalks
• Bushes, flowers and grass lawn areas must not encroach into sidewalks
• Stop signs are completely visible from at least 150 feet away

On-going Compliance Maintenance

Since most bushes/trees, flowers and grass lawn areas along sidewalk continue to grow throughout the spring and summer, it is recommended that these be cut back 2 to 5 inches back from the sidewalk to provide the most time between ongoing maintenance.

Tree Branches that Hang Over Sidewalks

Residents and homeowners often wonder if they are responsible for tree branches that hang over sidewalk. Especially if limbs are hanging low blocking the public right of way. The answer is "yes". The City is responsible for certain aspects of tree maintenance and as a homeowner you have some responsibility as well. 

Keep all weeds cut or trimmed below eight (8) inches. This requirement does not apply to flower gardens, shrubbery or vegetable gardens.

View the full code here.

Learn more about Snow Plowing in Edgewater.

Clearing your sidewalks and curb ramps promptly helps keep Edgewater safe and accessible for all.

Sidewalks must be kept free of snow, ice, mud, and other obstructions to ensure safe access for everyone, including people with disabilities, older adults, and families with strollers. This includes keeping corner curb ramps clear.

City Code section 11-2-40, governs this obligation and states as follows:

It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of any lot, property or parcel of land within the City, or his or her agent, to keep the sidewalks in the public right-of-way adjacent to such lot or parcel of land free and clear of snow, ice, mud and all other obstructions. It is unlawful to fail to keep the sidewalks free and clear of snow, ice, mud and all other obstructions. Snow, ice, mud and other obstructions cleared from sidewalks shall not be deposited on public streets or alleys.

Whenever there is an accumulation of snow, ice, mud or any other obstruction upon the sidewalk adjacent to any lot or parcel of land within the City sufficient to constitute a hazard thereon to persons or property as determined by the Chief of Police or his or her designee, the Chief of Police or his or her designee shall cause notice in writing to be served personally upon the owner or occupant of the property or his or her agent, or posted in a conspicuous place on the property, ordering such person to remove such snow, ice, mud or any other obstruction within twenty-four (24) hours from the time of serving or posting the notice. Verification of such notice shall be provided to the City Clerk. It is unlawful to fail to comply with the notice to clear sidewalks.

The Code therefore provides that property owners, tenants, or their agents are responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their property. Snow and ice must not be shoveled into streets or alleys.

As explained in the Code, if a sidewalk or curb ramp becomes hazardous due to snow, ice, or other obstructions, upon becoming aware of a violation, the City may issue a written notice requiring removal within 24 hours. Failure to comply with that notice is a violation of City Code and may result in enforcement action.
View the full code here.