[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Snow Hill
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 4-20-1933 by Ord. No. 13]
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle or skate with
roller skates on any of the sidewalks within the corporate limits of the Town
of Snow Hill.
[Amended 9-13-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-5]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this Article shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof before the District Court
of Maryland, shall pay a fine of not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned for
not more than six months, or both.
[Adopted 9-10-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-5]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any of the following:
A.
The person to whom real property is assessed on the city
tax roll.
B.
The person in the process of developing property for
residential use and constructing sidewalks as a part of common improvements
to the development and who has not released the responsibility of maintenance
of those improvements to an established homeowner or condominium association.
C.
The term "person," as used herein, shall be interpreted
and construed to mean and to include any firm, corporation, partnership, voluntary
association and organization of every nature, as well as individuals.
D.
SIDEWALK
The association of homeowners or condominium owners having
the responsibility for the maintenance and repair of common areas of a residential
development.
The portion of a public street and/or street right-of-way between
the curblines and adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians
and nonmotorized travel.
A.
Sidewalks shall be required for all new construction
on a previously vacant lot.
B.
No person shall construct, rebuild or repair any sidewalk
except in accordance with the line, grade, slope and specifications established
by the Zoning Inspector nor without first obtaining a written permit from
the Zoning Inspector, except that sidewalk repairs of less than 50 square
feet of sidewalk may be made without a permit. The first 50 square feet of
sidewalk shall be exempt from permit fees if said project or repair exceeds
50 square feet. The written permit shall be prominently displayed on the construction
site.
A.
Concrete sidewalks shall not be less than four inches
in thickness, and expansion asphalt saturated felt strips shall be placed
in the joints. It is recommended that all concrete used in sidewalk construction
shall, 28 days after placement, be capable of resisting a pressure of 2,800
pounds per square inch without failure. The Zoning Inspector may establish
additional detailed specifications in addition to and not inconsistent with
the above.
B.
The repair or replacement of any sidewalk shall be of
a suitable material with consideration given to the existing sidewalk (example,
brick, concrete) and meet all other specifications as required.
The occupant of any premises, or the owner of any unoccupied premises
or real property, is required to keep the constructed sidewalks in front of,
or adjacent to such premises cleared from snow and ice which will impede passage
on such sidewalks.
A.
Except as provided in Subsection C hereof, snow and ice shall be so removed from sidewalks in all business districts by four business hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, or by the beginning of business hours of the next day following such fall, whichever period is shorter.
C.
In the event snow and ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without the likelihood of damage to the sidewalk, the person responsible for its removal shall, within the time requirements of Subsection A or B, have enough sand or other abrasive put on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe. Snow and ice shall then be removed as soon as it can be accomplished without the likelihood of damage to the sidewalk.
D.
Exemptions. In residential districts only, persons who, for reasons of infirmity, believe compliance with Subsections B and C would cause undue hardship may file a request for exemption with the Zoning Inspector. The Zoning Inspector shall approve or disapprove the request according to guidelines adopted by Council. If approved, the Town of Snow Hill may then remove snow and ice from these sidewalks at a cost to be established by Council resolution, based on length, in feet, of the sidewalk.
A person violating the provisions of § 162-7 of this chapter shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and shall be issued a civil citation for $50 for a first offense, a fine of $100 for a second offense, and $500 for a third and subsequent offense(s). The person shall be given 20 days to pay the citation at Town Hall or request a trial in the District Court. Failure to pay the fine or request a trial date, or failure to appear at trial when scheduled, shall result in the fine amount being doubled. In addition, the Town shall request that the Court issue an order of abatement and reimbursement for reasonable attorney fees and court costs.
