Winter is here and we want to remind everyone that it is the responsibility of the owners and/or occupants of any lot or parcel in the City of Prescott to remove, or cause to be removed, snow or sleet from all sidewalks and the nearest cross-sidewalks adjacent to the owner’s or occupant’s premises. Adjacent sidewalks must be free and clear of snow and ice for the full width of the sidewalk within 24 hours after the cessation of any snow or sleet event. When ice forms on the sidewalk and cannot be removed, it must be sprinkled with ashes, salt, sand, or other similar material. Also, property owners cannot remove snow from one’s property and deposit it upon the another property.
Tips for minimizing salt use:
- A large majority of salt used for winter maintenance ends up in nearby bodies of water. For instance, the Upper Mississippi River has experienced a 35% increase in chloride concentration since 1989.
- Shovel! The more snow and ice you remove naturally, the less salt you will need to use.
- 15ºF is too cold for salt. Once pavement temperatures reach this threshold, salt stops working. Use sand or another material to increase traction.
- Sweep up Extra. If salt is visible on dry pavement, sweep it up and use it elsewhere.
- Don’t use too much. An 8 oz. cup of salt is enough to melt the surface area of an average driveway, or about 10 sidewalk squares.