Mayor’s weekly update stresses property owners must clear sidewalks, urges reporting to city apps

Speaker 1 told listeners that property owners — both businesses and residents in R1, R2 and R3 and commercial zones — are responsible for clearing sidewalks in front of their properties and that failure to do so may result in a citation. "If you have a sidewalk in front of your house, it is your responsibility to clear that sidewalk," Speaker 1 said. The host added, "it is in code that you can be cited," but did not cite a specific ordinance or code section.

The program urged residents to report unshoveled sidewalks and other hazards using Nixel (text 45701 to 888777) and the Athens, Ohio City Source app available in the Apple and Google app stores. Speaker 1 said citizen reports help the code enforcement office respond and suggested parking off the street during heavy snow so plows can clear roads and sidewalks.

Speaker 1 also relayed that Scott Thompson had reported a spike in complaints about unshoveled sidewalks. No formal enforcement action or specific citation language was announced during the update; the program encouraged residents to report violations so city staff can follow up.