CHAPTER 18. STREETS AND SIDEWALKSCHAPTER 18. STREETS AND SIDEWALKS\Article I. In General

It shall be unlawful for the owner, agent or occupant of any real property to create or allow accumulations of rubbish, debris, dirt, mud or filth of any character to remain upon any public sidewalk for longer than twenty-four (24) hours.  It shall the responsibility the owner, agent or occupant to remove any such accumulation.  It shall be unlawful for any person to build or construct any steps in or on a public sidewalk, or to store, leave or allow to be left any vehicle, implements, tools, merchandise, goods, containers, benches, display cases or any other obstruction on any public sidewalk in the City longer than may be necessary for loading or unloading any such article or object.  Where premises are occupied by several tenants and a responsible person is not determined, it shall be the duty of the person occupying or owning the tenement, apartment, store or portion of the premises nearest the street to comply with the requirements of this section.

(Code 2015)

The City may allow sidewalk obstructions concurrently with valid construction permits on abutting property.  Such obstructions, if allowed, must be in compliance with the International Code Council (ICC).  In such cases, the permit holder shall be responsible to provide for safe pedestrian passage, including warning and safeguarding the public.

(Code 2015)

It is unlawful for any person to place, leave or store or cause to be placed, left or stored any implements, automobiles or vehicles, tools, boxes, merchandise, goods, trash, crates or junk upon public property, except for the purpose of loading or unloading the same.

(Code 2015)

It shall be the duty of the owner, agent or occupant of any real property to keep limbs and branches of trees trimmed in such a manner as to provide no less than nine feet (9') of vertical clearance over public sidewalks, and to keep such sidewalks clear and unobtsructed by weeds and grass.  If the owner, agent or occupant of real property fails to maintain such limbs, branches, weeds and grass within ten days after notice by the City, it shall be the duty of the Public Works Department to effect such maintenance, and to certify the expenses to the City Clerk for collection by legal methods, including certifying such expenses to the Franklin County Clerk to be placed on the tax roll.

(Code 2015)

Each person owning or occupying any building in the City of Ottawa shall cause any pipes conducting storm water from eaves or ground water from sumps to be so constructed as not to spread said water over sidewalks, creating an ice hazard to the public in cold weather conditions.  Discharge of storm water directly into streets from conduits is also prohibited.

It is hereby made the duty of the owner, agent or occupant of any lots abutting upon any sidewalks to cause to be removed from such sidewalks all snow and ice within five (5) hours adjacent to non-residential properties and within (24) hours adjacent to residential properties from the time such snow has fallen or ice has accumulated; provided, that if the snow falls or ice accumulates upon such sidewalks in the nighttime, removal of such snow or ice must be made within prescribed hours of daylight the following day.  A violation of this Section shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).

(Code 1982; Code 2015)