ALBANY - City residents may have to step up their game this winter when it comes to shoveling snow from sidewalks.

Albany Common Councilwoman Leah Golby recently introduced an ordinance that would remove an extra 24-hour window given to residents and business owners who haven't cleared sidewalks of snow.

“My hope is that this prompts people to address things sooner,” she said. “It’s about mobility. It’s about making sure that people can safely get where they need to go. We are a walkable city with sidewalks. We should be a walkable city all year round, not just when the snow melts.”

Local law currently dictates sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after snowfall has ended. If someone complains about a stretch of sidewalk not being shoveled, the city gives property owners another 24 hours to comply before citing them.

If sidewalks still haven’t been cleared of snow, the city Department of General Services is authorized to clear the sidewalk, charging for the services, and fines can be issued. Fines start at $100 for the first offense, and increase to $200 and $300 for the second and third violations within a three-month span. The actual cost of the snow removal also is passed on to the property owner.

Each violation after the third within a six-month period is an additional $300 fine.

Prior to 2011, the city rarely levied penalties – which was a fine of no more than $125 – and billed violators for the costs of snow removal. However, Golby successfully pushed legislation that increased the fines to what they are today.

She said her initial legislation included eliminating the additional 24-hour grace period, but that provision wasn't included in ordinance the Common Council approved.

Golby said giving residents 24 hours after the snowfall has ended is plenty of time for snow removal and even generous compared to other communities across the state.

She said in Elmira, residents are required to shovel sidewalks within six to 12 hours of when snowfall begins and require residents to maintain the walkways throughout.

Although some may still be pining for warm, sunny summer days, Golby said she wanted to get the discussion started early so residents can be educated on the changes should the ordinance pass. It currently is before the council’s Law Committee.

“Our sidewalks are still not safe 24 hours after a snowfall for people to walk, and we need to be sure that people of all abilities, even if they’re not driving, can get where they need to go,” she said.