MASON CITY – Mason City residents need to remove snow from their sidewalks within 48 hours of snowfall.
Mason City code references Iowa code, which states that the “property owner is responsible for the removal of the accumulations of snow and/or ice within forty eight (48) hours of snowfall from the entire width of the sidewalk and may be liable for damages caused by the failure of the abutting property owners to use reasonable care in the removal of accumulations.”
The code also states that if you cannot remove snow and ice from your sidewalks, “the owner or occupant shall keep and maintain such accumulations spread with fine cinders and/or sand in such a manner as to provide traction and prevent the sidewalk from being dangerous to pedestrians.”
The city has been known to remove snow and ice from sidewalks and then assess the costs.
Mason City code states that “the city may proceed to clear said sidewalks of snow and ice and may assess the actual cost and expense thereof. In addition to the actual cost of removing accumulations or treatment of accumulations from sidewalks abutting private property, a ten dollar ($10.00) administrative cost shall be paid by the owner of said property.”