Snow Removal
What is Maine's Law on Snow Removal
Roads
The state and towns are required to remove snow from their roads. 23 MRS §1001 states, “Improved state highways shall be continually maintained, and the snow removed from such sections of designated state highways as the department may determine, under the direction and control of the department at the expense of the State.” Likewise, 23 MRS §1003 states, “Towns shall keep state aid highways cleared of snow during the winter season or such part of the year as the department may direct, so that they may be reasonably usable by motor vehicles.”
Several statutes (23 MRS §1005-A, 23 MRS §3201, 23 MRS §3651, and 23 MRS §3655) address damages and liability related to snow on state or local roads.
29-A MRS §2396 states that "[a] person may not place and allow to remain on a public way snow or slush that has not accumulated there naturally."
Sidewalks
There appear to be no state statutes requiring property owners remove snow from sidewalks. However, towns and cities might have local ordinances that require it. See 30-A MRS §3009(A)
23 MRS §3658 states, “[n]o town is liable to an action for damages to any person on foot on account of snow or ice on any sidewalk or crosswalk nor on account of the slippery condition of any sidewalk or crosswalk.”
Motor vehicles
29-A MRS §2396 (2) states that a driver "may not operate on a public way a vehicle with a load that is not fastened, secured, confined or loaded to reasonably prevent a portion from falling off." This "unsecured load" is defined as including, but not limited to, “firewood, pulpwood, logs, bolts, snow, ice or other material…”
29-A MRS §2093 states, "[t]he operator of a vehicle with a registered weight under 10,000 pounds shall take reasonable measures to prevent snow or ice on the vehicle from falling off the vehicle while it is being operated on a public way.” Penalties for violating this statute include a fine of up to $50 for a first offense.
29-A MRS §2082 states that “[a] person may not operate a vehicle with a sign, poster, opaque or semitransparent material or substance on the front windshield, side wing or side or rear window that obstructs the operator's clear view of the way or an intersecting way.”
29-A MRS §2069(2) provides that a parked vehicle “interfering with snow removal or the normal movement of traffic or parked within the limits of a right-of-way” can be removed by law enforcement "to a suitable parking place, at the expense of the registered owner."
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