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New Sidewalk Maintenance Law
On June 28, 2010, the Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a local law (PDF) requiring residents and property owners to maintain the sidewalk adjacent to their property. Up until the adoption of this new law, Irvington was one of the last communities in Westchester where municipal employees maintained all sidewalk areas.
Overview
The law, which became effective July 15, 2010, is organized in two separate sections. The most significant section pertains to snow and ice removal on sidewalks. This section requires residents to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks. For sidewalks located in the Main Street Area, snow and ice must be cleared by 9:00 am and 4:00 pm each day. For sidewalks located outside the Main Street Area, sidewalks must be cleared within 12 hours after the snow ceases falling. In addition, all sidewalks must be kept safe and passable, even in the absence of an identifiable winter weather event.
If residents do not maintain their sidewalks as required, the Village will send a notice in writing and, if there is still no response, the Village may undertake the maintenance with its own forces. In that case, the resident would be responsible to pay the cost of the maintenance plus a 50% surcharge.
The other section of the law pertains to maintenance of right-of-way areas. Not all properties have adjacent sidewalks, but nearly all properties have an area between their property line and the edge of the roadway. Residents need to keep this area, referred to in the law as a right-of-way, free of litter, leaves, branches and other obstructions and to keep the grass cut and bushes trimmed.
If residents do not maintain the adjacent right-of-way area, after proper notification, the Village may undertake the maintenance with its own forces. Again, the resident would be responsible to pay the cost of the maintenance plus a 50% surcharge.
It is important to note that this law does not require residents to make repairs to the sidewalk concrete. That will continue to be the responsibility of the Village. In addition, will continue to be responsible legally for the safe use of the sidewalks.