Oxford, Michigan

 An ordinance to govern and ensure the timely and proper snow and ice removal, to establish fines and to allow for cost recovery in favor of the Village of Oxford. This ordinance shall repeal and replace Village Ordinance No. 408 of 2018.

THE VILLAGE OF OXFORD ORDAINS:

The Village of Oxford hereby adopts Ordinance No. 409 to read as follows:

Section 58-101 - Sidewalks.  The lawful occupant(s) of any lot or premises adjoining any street in the Village of Oxford, or the owner(s) of such lot or premises if the property is not occupied by owner, shall be responsible to timely remove snow and ice from any and all sidewalks adjoining such lots or premises, whether such sidewalk is at the front, side or rear of such lots or premises.

Section 58-102 - Accumulation.  When naturally falling snow or ice shall cease to fall or accumulate such snow or ice shall be removed from the sidewalks by 7:00 p.m. the following day. Each property is eligible to receive one (1) warning per snow season. The snow season is defined from October 1^st – March-31^st.

Section 58-103 - Failure to Clear Sidewalks.  If any owner(s) shall fail to remove snow or ice from the sidewalk adjoining their lots or premises within the time periods stated herein, or shall otherwise permit snow or ice to accumulate on such sidewalk in violation of these provisions, that occupant(s) or owner(s) shall be in violation of this ordinance and, in addition to the remedies herein, the Village Manager may cause the snow or ice to be removed and the full expense of that removal, plus 15% for inspection and related costs, shall become a debt to the Village of Oxford from the occupant(s) or owner(s) of such lot or premises, and shall be collected as any other debt to the Village of Oxford, including the imposition of a lien on property.  Any amount due to the Village of Oxford under these provisions shall accrue interest at the rate of twelve (12) percent per annum or the highest interest rate then allowed by law.

Section 58-104 - Obstruction of Vision; Deposit on Roadway, Other Prohibitions.

A.)  A person shall not, under any circumstance, remove, or cause to be removed, accumulated snow or ice onto a roadway.

B.)  A person shall not, under any circumstance, remove, or cause to be removed, accumulated snow or ice to a location wherein the snow or ice is located within 3 feet of any fire hydrant.

C.)  A person shall not under any circumstance remove, or cause to be removed, accumulated snow or ice, onto the shoulder of any roadway, or any alley in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.
D.)  A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow or ice, onto or across the shoulder of any roadway, or any alley in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.
E.)  “Safety vision” shall mean an unobstructed line of sight which enables a driver of a motor vehicle to travel on, enter on or exit a roadway in a safe manner.

Section 58-105 - Violations.  A person who violates any provision herein is responsible for a municipal civil infraction, subject to payment of a civil fine of not less than $25.00 or more than $500.00, plus costs and other sanctions, for each infraction. Each first offense in any snow season shall result in the issuance of a civil fine of $25.00. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed an additional and distinct violation of these provisions.  For a second offense in any snow season, the civil fine shall automatically be set at $50.00.  For any additional offenses in any snow season, the civil fine shall automatically be set at $75.00

Section 58-106 - Enforcement.  It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement Officer and the Police Department to enforce these provisions.