Vancouver residents, businesses face fines for failing to clear snow

The City of Vancouver is considering taking action against a dozen businesses and individuals who did not properly clear sidewalks during this winter’s major snowfalls.

Violators could face fines up to $2,000, Neal Carley, from the city’s streets division, said Friday.

"We issued many, many warning notices," Carley said. City employees "went back and talked to the property owners and of those, there are 12 cases that have been put forward to the prosecutors."

According to city by-laws, all residences and businesses, except single-family homes and duplexes outside the downtown core, are supposed to have snow removed by 10 a.m.

Vancouver's stance on snow removal comes as an ironic twist to the way it handled this winter’s record dumps of snow. The city was heavily criticized for not clearing snow- and ice-clogged side streets, leaving numerous residents — mostly seniors — stranded for weeks.

Mayor Gregor Robertson contended in January that the city spent $2.8 million on snow-clearing efforts on main streets, adding that the amount represented double the budget initially allotted.

Carley said it is unclear when fines in the dozen snow-clearing cases might be levied.