When you walk around Kansas City after a snowfall, you often can’t go more than a block without hitting snow that hasn’t been shoveled yet.
The city and state are supposed to take care of street plowing, but sidewalk snow removal is up to property owners and residents — and some handle that responsibility more quickly than others.
According to the Kansas City, Missouri, code, property owners and occupants must remove ice and snow from the sidewalks in front of and alongside their property “within a reasonable time” after the snow ends.
If you’re a renter, check your lease agreement to see if shoveling falls to you or to your landlord. Typically, that responsibility is given to the occupant of the building unless it’s a multi-family unit.
Kansas City launched its “Snow Angels” program this winter to match seniors, people with disabilities and others who otherwise cannot shovel with nearby volunteers to shovel their driveway and sidewalk throughout the season.
Kelly Thibault is a case manager at The Whole Person, a disability advocacy group. She uses a wheelchair and says snow can make it impossible to get around. If the snow isn’t cleared in a timely manner, it can prevent Thibault and others using mobility aids from accessing work, school, doctor’s appointments or entertainment for much longer than someone who can drive.
“With people who have a disability or mobility issues, our abilities to make it from one location to another such as to a car or bus is dependent on whether or not sidewalks are cleared,” Thibault said.
If you notice sidewalks that aren’t properly cleared, whether in front of a residential or a business property, you can report it as a property violation by calling 311 or going to the myKCMO app.
If you need help shoveling your sidewalk or driveway, you can request help at this link. If you are interested in volunteering for the Snow Angels program and have access to a shovel, you can sign up at this link.
