Arlington is hoping to combat slippery sidewalks with a new snow removal ordinance. (Photo: TBD Staff)

As winter fast approaches, Arlington County has been struggling to figure out how it will enforce the snow removal law it passed after last year's devastating blizzards.

For now, it appears the approach will be largely measured. County Manager Barbara Donnellan told the County Board she will employ "common sense" as the county applies a snow removal law to property owners for the first time.

The law requires citizens to clear the sidewalks in front of their properties within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall, and subjects people to a $50 fine for failing to clear the sidewalk.

People over the age of 65 and some others will be exempt, Donnellan told the board during a work session Nov. 16, although the county does not plan to keep a master list of the properties that are exempt.

This year's enforcement will be largely focused in the densest areas of the county that are subject to the most foot traffic, and that provide major thoroughfares to other walkable areas, Donnellan added.

People will also be given a notification or warning that they need to comply the first time, Donnellan added. "The second time will be the issuance of a citation, and that will be done in a safety situation, or egregious one where someone is just not paying attention to us."

"We expect the vast majority to clear the sidewalks," she added. "It's not our anticipation that we will fine a lot of people this year.'

The county also plans to roll out a website that will allow people to pinpoint problem areas or properties on an interactive map (have they taken a cue from TBD's escalator outage map?) to help find areas in need of clearing. (Hmm, we're thinking there will be some neighbors that have fun with that.)

Board members urged the county manager to roll out as big a communication plan as possible on the snow removal ordinance. "We really do need a big education effort is on this," board member Barbara Favola said. She also suggested the map could be useful to help connect volunteers with people not able to clear their sidewalks.

Board member Chris Zimmerman also reiterated that anyone whose sidewalk is re-covered with snow or ice as a result of county-sponsored plowing or other snow removal work should not receive a fine. Those people will still be responsible for re-clearing the sidewalk, however, Donnellan noted.