Well, get out the snow shovels, it’s that time of year again.  Since we have so many new businesses in the DIA, we’re providing information from City By-Law N^o. 2008-046 A By-law to Regulate the Removal of Snow and Ice from Streets and Buildings in the City of Owen Sound.  The following excerpts from this By-Law explains what building owners and tenants are responsible for regarding removal of snow and ice.

*        Every owner or occupant of a vacant or occupied building immediately adjoining any street in the City of Owen Sound is required to remove snow and ice from the roof of the building to prevent it from falling onto any street or a sufficient barrier must be placed near the edge of the roof adjoining the street to prevent snow or ice falling into the street.

*        Every owner or occupant of the ground floor of a building (including hallways, laneways or alleyways adjoining the sidewalks on the streets) is responsible for snow and ice to be removed from the sidewalk.

*        Snow and ice must be removed from the sidewalk in front of your business within four (4) hours after every snow fall that occurs during daylight hours and before nine (9) o’clock in the morning following a snowfall

*        When the owner or occupant fails to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk as required under the provisions of By-Law 2008-046 the Operations Department of the City may remove the snow and ice and charge for the removal in the same manner as Municipal Taxes.  There may also be a fine.

Let’s be considerate of those shoppers we welcome into our stores and businesses by making it as convenient and safe as possible for them.  They’ll thank you for it.