First the ACCF Transportation Committee
Explanation of the Issue

Unlike some neighboring jurisdictions, Arlington does not have a snow ordinance. Neither businesses nor residents are required to clear snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property. Should Arlington property owners be required to provide this public benefit to their neighbors? Is sidewalk snow clearance a more appropriate activity for volunteer community organizations? Is the county's own snow clearance adequate? Do the benefits of enhanced snow clearance or removal justify the cost?

Snow ordinances are currently in place in the Cities of Falls Church and Alexandria as well as communities throughout the country. The Pedestrian Advisory Commmittee supports a snow ordinance as a matter of public safety, especially for schoolchildren and other pedestrians. Before requiring private property owners to clear snow, however, the Pedestrian Advisory Committee suggests the county improve its own snow removal methods.

County Manager William Donahue's October report "Snow Clearing from Public Walkways" opposes a snow ordinance for numerous reasons. The report expresses concerns such as selective enforcement, refreezing on cleared trails, and cost. It suggests that volunteers from citizen groups such as civic associations or schools pitch in instead.

Dick Bridges from Arlington County's Office of Public Affairs and Judy Collins of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee will be available to provide background and answer questions as we discuss this topic."

And here was the outcome, adopted by the Federation on December 5th, 2000.

ACCF Resolution on Arlington's Snow and Ice Policy

Whereas the county encourages citizens to walk or use transit when weather conditions make driving dangerous or difficult,

Whereas current road clearing methods often push snow onto sidewalks, bus stops, and crosswalks,

Whereas many county trails which are used for transportation (e.g., walking to school or Metro), not just recreation, and walkways over bridges, which serve as crucial pedestrian connectors, are left uncleared,

Whereas Arlington, unlike other local jurisdictions such as the Cities of Falls Church and Alexandria, does not require property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property,

Therefore, the Civic Federation resolves that,

Arlington should enable citizens to walk or use transit when weather conditions make driving dangerous or difficult by:

Enacting a snow ordinance requiring all property owners (business and residential) to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within a reasonable period of time following snowfall, with an exemption, as permitted by the state, for those persons physically and financially unable to clear snow and ice; and

Setting an example by effectively clearing snow and ice from the walkways of county facilities including police and fire stations, county offices, and schools; and

Clearing snow from high-priority trails, walkways, and bridges used by pedestrians, bicyclists and others for transportation; and

Improving roadway snow clearance by using methods which will not block sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stops and considering long term solutions such as designing sidewalks with planting strips wide enough to store snow cleared from roads.

This page was last revised on: December 27, 2003.