Reader Asks Neighbors To Clear Leaves From Slippery Sidewalks

A reader sent us this email about slippery sidewalks covered with leaves:

It would be great if you could remind neighbors to clean the leaves and debris off their city sidewalks. The leaves have become slippery and then when frost is added it is downright dangerous, especially for us oldsters.  

Thanks, Laurelhurst walker

Here are applicable Seattle City Codes pertaining to residents keeping sidewalks in front of their home clear:

SMC 10.52.030 Duties of owners and occupants.

A. It is the duty of the owner of the property and of any occupant of the property wherein or whereon any such nuisance exists to abate the nuisance by destroying, removing or trimming vegetation, and removing or destroying any health, safety or fire hazard.

B. In addition to duties the owner or occupant may have to abate nuisances, the owner or occupant of property shall:

1. Remove vegetation in or on an abutting sidewalk;

2. Destroy, remove or trim vegetation or parts thereof on the property, and which are also overhanging any sidewalk within eight (8) feet measured vertically from any point on the sidewalk;

3. Destroy, remove or trim vegetation or any parts thereof on the property or on adjacent planting strips, which encroaches on or overhangs the traveled portion of the street or alley within fourteen (14) feet measured vertically from any point on the street or alley;

4. Remove vegetation constituting a safety hazard found on adjacent planting strips or alleys;

5. Remove vegetation constituting a fire hazard found on adjacent planting strips or alleys;

6. Remove vegetation constituting a health hazard found on adjacent planting strips or alleys.
 

SMC 15.48.010 Snow and ice removal.

It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of private property to remove snow and ice on the sidewalks abutting his or her property in a timely manner and, if practical, prevent its becoming or remaining in an icy, ridged, uneven or humped condition or in a condition which is potentially hazardous to users of the public sidewalks.
 

SMC 15.72.010 Notice to clear or clean sidewalk.

Whenever, in the judgment of the Director of Transportation, the condition of any sidewalk, or any portion thereof, in the City is such as to render the same unfit or unsafe for purposes of public travel, or require clearing, cleaning, repair or renewal, said official is authorized, empowered and directed to serve upon the owner of the property immediately abutting upon the sidewalk, a notice advising such owner of the condition thereof and instructing him/her to clear, clean, repair or renew the same.