Residents of the Village of Darien are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours, according to local regulations. If property owners or occupants do not comply, the Village will remove the snow or ice and charge the cost as a special tax on the property.
The relevant regulation, Ordinance 12.24.010, states: “The owner or occupant of any lot or parcel shall promptly each day remove all snow and ice which has fallen or accumulated upon the sidewalk in front of such lot or parcel. The board of public works shall keep the sidewalks of the Village clear of snow and ice in all cases where the owners or occupants of abutting lots fail to do so. The expense of so doing shall be included in the statements to the Village Clerk and in the special tax to be levied as therein provided. The cost thereof shall be assessed against the property as a special tax.”
The ordinance also addresses disposal practices: “No person shall cause to be deposited snow from his or her premises on the sidewalk abutting thereon onto any street or intersection in the Village without a permit from the street superintendent, who may require to be paid a fee sufficient to reimburse the Village for the cost of removal of such snow.”
Penalties for violations are structured by season, running from October 1 through September 30 each year. Offenders may face fines up to $100 plus costs for a first offense, up to $150 plus costs for a second offense, and up to $200 plus costs for third or subsequent offenses within one seasonal year.
For further information about these requirements, residents can contact village officials at 262-882-5055.
