The snow season is in full throttle, and local residents and businesses are reminded that Kansas City, Mo. and surrounding communities have some special ordinances regarding snow removal. Everyone should be aware of snow removal laws in Kansas City. Kansas City requires property owners and all persons owning or occupying any real property to clear public sidewalks, which includes the walk in front of your business or home, within a reasonable time after snow or ice storms are over. Some suburban communities require removal within 24 hours after the snow ends. Questions abound regarding how and how stringently each city is going to enforce these regulations. What if a homeowner is out of town when a snowstorm hits? What about the elderly who cannot physically clear their sidewalks and are on fixed income with no additional funds to hire the work done? What is a reasonable time to clear sidewalks? These and many more imponderables raise issues as to the fairness and implementation of the ordinances.
In Kansas City, Missouri the city manager has the ability to declare a “traffic emergency” and/or a “parking emergency.” A “traffic emergency” is called when snow, sleet or freezing rain causes a slippery or hazardous condition which may lead to serious traffic congestion. Until such emergency is terminated no person may operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with effective tire chains or snow tires. Who knows what qualifies as a snow tire? Do they really want chains tearing up the streets?
A “parking emergency” is called when snow has accumulated or there is a possibility that it will accumulate to such depth that snow removal operations are required. In this situation, no vehicles may be parked on any street designated as a snow route until such emergency is terminated. All vehicles parked on the street must be removed within 2 hours after declaration of an emergency. Be mindful if your business or residence is on one of these designated routes, your vehicle could be tagged or towed if not removed in sufficient time after a parking emergency has been declared. Even if you are not on a snow route you may face a lot of digging to get your car out of the mountain around it after the plow has gone by.
As Johnny Mathis sang, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”
If you have any additional questions regarding city ordinances as they pertain to you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
