the owner of the property is responsible, whether the city or resident owns it. there is currently a pretty muddied ordinance where the city can impose fines if landowners dont care for their property, but it is rarely enforced.

Juli,

I think the law is pretty clear for midblock lots but needs to be reworded a bit to be clearer about clearing snow at corners. Anyone who doesn't shovel their walks and corner curb cuts should be fined. Anyone who shovels but does a half-assed job and doesn't leave "reasonably safe" walking conditions should be fined. Anyone who does a shovel width instead of 42 inches (which allows people to pass each other as well as wheelchair access) should be fined.

At last weeks aldermanic hearing on the subject of snow, one public official admitted that only 85 tickets had been issued for this. There are that many violations within a 2 block radius of my house. I'm very disappointed. The city let down all walkers and they let down all other taxpayers who could use the income accrued by issuing fines.

Code of Ordinances, City of New Haven, Connecticut
ARTICLE II. NUISANCES, OBSTRUCTIONS AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
Sec. 27-32. Ice, snow, sleet--Duty of abutting owner to remove or abate.
(a) Removal. The owner of land or a building, bridge or premises fronting upon the sidewalk, or connected with a footway, shall remove snow, sleet or ice within a minimum of forty-two (42) inches of such property including handicap ramps within twenty-four (24) hours after a storm ends.
(b) Abatement. If the owner of the property referred to in subsection (a) cannot entirely remove the snow, sleet or ice within the aforesaid parameters, he/she shall cover the affected portion(s) with an abrasive substance so as to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition at all times.
(c) Penalty. If a property owner fails to comply with subsections (a) and (b), above, within twenty-four (24) hours after receiving notice to remove the snow, sleet or ice from an appropriate city official, said owner shall be punished by a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine, or an amount up to the maximum allowed under state statute. Each day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

a total of 85 tickets were issues for lack of shovelling...very dissapointing