Largo, Maryland – Prince George's County's Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) once again is reminding citizens and business proprietors that they are responsible for removal of snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their properties. Per Prince George's County Code, Section 23-150, it is the responsibility of the owner or lessor of a residential dwelling or commercial property to remove snow and ice from an abutting sidewalk within 48 hours after snow has fallen or ice has formed as a result of inclement weather.

The area’s recent snow storm, coupled with freezing temperatures, has created a hazardous condition on area sidewalks for pedestrians.  Further, pedestrians who are forced to walk in the roadways due to unsafe sidewalk conditions, also create a safety hazard for motorists.    

County inspectors began rotating throughout Prince George's County this morning to notify residents and business proprietors about their responsibility to remove snow and ice from sidewalks. Door hangers will be left on premises where sidewalk trouble spots are identified and an inspector is unable to speak with either the resident or the business proprietor.  

If door hangers are left, or an inspector speaks to someone on site, follow-up inspections will be conducted. If the sidewalk has not been cleared by that time, a violation notice will be left, which carries with it a $100 fine. Thereafter, the site will be re-inspected every 24 hours to ensure that it has been cleared. If it has not, subsequent violation notices will be issued, each of which carries a separate $100 fine.

As in all inclement weather conditions, if you know of a neighbor who is elderly or unable to shovel snow or remove ice from areas abutting their properties, please do the neighborly thing and try to help him or her. Local middle and high school students also could be contacted to assist, as they can earn community service hours required for graduation.

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