Not only is it the courteous thing to do, it is also the law. If adults want to walk in the street – that’s their prerogative. However, our children are being forced to walk in the streets  because too many people do not care enough to shovel and salt their sidewalks.

It is actually a State of Ohio law that we must shovel our sidewalks – http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/723

723.011 Control of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.

The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, in addition to the powers conferred by sections 729.01 to 729.10, inclusive, of the Revised Code, may require, by ordinance, by the imposition of suitable penalties or otherwise, that the owners and occupants of abutting lots and lands shall keep the sidewalks, curbs, and gutters in repair and free from snow or any nuisance.

Some cities augment the State of Ohio law with their own city ordinances:

Beachwood: http://whdrane.conwaygreene.com/NXT/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=whdrane:OHBeachwood

660.05  MAINTENANCE OF SIDEWALKS ; SNOW AND ICE.

It is hereby determined that it is the duty of every owner, occupant or person in control of any lot or land within the City along the front or side of which any sidewalk is located upon a public street or highway and designed for use by the public, to keep such sidewalk free from dirt, mud, snow, ice, rubbish, obstructions of any kind or other nuisance.

Snow Removal:  For safety’s sake, residents and merchants should keep their walks free of snow, ice, and debris.

Shaker Heights: http://shakeronline.com/city-services/collection-and-removal/snow-collection

City ordinance (Ordinance 743.01) requires residents to clear sidewalks, including corner property curb ramps, of snow, ice, and slush by 9 am the day after a snowfall.

South Euclid: http://www.mcs360.com/documents/compliancedoc/CO/South%20Euclid,%20OH%20-%20Snow,%20Ice%20Removal.pdf

Every owner, occupant or person having charge of any tenement, building, lot or land fronting on any street or highway in the City shall clear the sidewalk abutting the tenement, building, lot or land of snow or ice before 11:00 a. m. of each day and cause the same to be kept clear thereof to the width of at least two feet.

University Heights: Updated link from a 2013 University Heights newsletter:

City ordinances require homeowners to keep their sidewalks clear of snow for pedestrians.

http://www.university-heights.org/Streets/Sidewalk-Snow.pdf

The sidewalk must be cleared the entire width of the sidewalk down to the concrete.

Clearing Ice and Snow. Each person having charge of any building, lot or land fronting on any street or alley shall clear the whole sidewalk in front of the building, lot or land, of snow and ice before 9:00 a.m.each day.

The new ordinance also clarifies that every owner or occupant of lots or lands abutting any sidewalk, curb or gutter shall remove all snow and ice accumulated “promptly each day.”