Staunton council debates decriminalizing sidewalk snow removal, weighs shorter timeframes for downtown businesses

Staunton — City staff proposed rewriting the city's sidewalk snow-and-ice ordinance to remove criminal penalties and to give residents more predictable time to clear sidewalks, but councilors signaled concern about downtown businesses and enforcement logistics.

John Blair and City Manager Leslie Beauregard told the council the draft would "decriminalize this," changing a class‑4 misdemeanor and $250 maximum fine into a civil penalty, and add a formal mechanism for the city manager to announce when a weather event has ceased so the removal clock clearly begins. Blair described proposed timeframes that move the current 6‑hour requirement to a tiered system: roughly 12 hours for routine events, 24 hours for moderate accumulation and extended windows (up to 36 or 72 hours) for heavier snowfall depending on depth and the manager's declaration.

Council discussion focused on legal uniformity, enforcement and downtown impacts. Councilor Woods asked whether the code could treat businesses and homeowners differently; staff responded that the law requires a uniform standard for sidewalks so the city cannot favor one type of property owner over another. Several councilors and downtown business representatives urged shortening the interval for cleared sidewalks in commercial areas so openings are not delayed; one councilor called 24 hours "a long time" for businesses.

The matter was discussed as a work-session item with no final ordinance vote that night. Staff said it will update the draft with council direction — including a recommendation to reduce the ordinary event window to 12 hours and retain extended allowances for heavy snow — and return for formal consideration at a future meeting.