Snow-removal laws differ in metro cities

As snow piles higher in Fargo-Moorhead, patience is wearing thinner, particularly where homes and driveways are in close proximity and piles of snow are shoveled, blown or plowed from one property to another.

Some laws govern snow removal, but there are a lot of areas that also rely on common sense, police and city officials say.

There are also areas of enlightened self-interest: digging out fire hydrants, mailboxes or gas or electric meters.

Best to be neighborly

In Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead, it's illegal to push snow from private property into the street or up onto a neighbor's boulevard, and residents can be fined up to $500 in Fargo for doing that.

It is also illegal to blow snow into the streets in the metro.

When snow is inadvertently blown or shoveled onto a neighbor's property, police try mediation first.

"Common sense says if I blow snow into your driveway, I should blow it out," Fargo police Sgt. Mark Lykken said Monday. "But we don't always deal with common sense."

From there, responses diverge. In Fargo, unless a neighbor or snow-removal firm is trespassing to dump snow, it's a civil matter.

Inspections Administrator Ron Strand said an extreme case could end up in civil court for a hazard or causing undue work.

West Fargo police Lt. Duane Sall said a major problem might be cited as a nuisance.

Moorhead police rarely get involved in snow disputes, said Sgt. Mike Detloff. Deliberately dumping snow on residential properties can draw a $200 fine. But that doesn't include snow accidentally blown between properties.

Fire hydrants

There are no laws requiring homeowners to dig out fire hydrants in the metro.

Fargo and Moorhead rely on homeowners to dig out hydrants because they have so many.

In West Fargo, city crews eventually dig out hydrants, but Fire Chief Roy Schatschneider encourages people to adopt the hydrant near their homes.

"Who knows what's going to happen between now and when the city crews get around to it," he said.

Acting Moorhead Fire Chief Rich Duysen said his trucks carry only 800 gallons of water and that the time taken to dig out a hydrant could mean lost property or lives.

Mailboxes

The Postal Service requires carriers to have easy access to residential mailboxes. And for mail delivered to the door, a path must be cleared to the mail slot.

Fargo Postmaster Greg Johnson and Moorhead Postmaster Renae Ingersoll said they give people leeway after snowfalls, but in rare cases, delivery is cut off until snow is removed.

Both urged residents to use salt or sand on walks and steps to clear ice and snow for safe footing.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583