State law already requires property owners to keep their adjacent sidewalks clean - from snow, dirt, and so forth. But South Lake Tahoe city attorney Patrick Enright says the proposed ordinance would give the law some teeth.
Enright: "It allows the city to be able to enforce it - so if someone doesn't the snow from their sidewalks, we could give them initially a warning and eventually a citation."
It also paves the way for a second discussion: one about liability. Currently, the city is on the hook for any injuries caused by snow-filled sidewalks - even if it's the property owner's fault for not keeping them clean. Enright says the city wants to shift SOME of that liability to the property owners. Officials plan to meet with the chambers of commerce and other stakeholders to work out a solution over the next year.
