Well, it finally happened, Sioux Falls received its first significant snowfall for this year's winter weather season.

On the west side of Sioux Falls where I live, we had nearly seven inches of snow as of early Monday morning, with the possibility of another 6 to 7 inches of the white stuff expected to fall before Tuesday.

That will make travel in and around the Sioux Falls area rather dicey over the next 24 to 48 hours, especially after the wind kicks up later today through Tuesday creating blowing and drifting conditions throughout the entire Sioux Empire.

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Given how mild it has been this winter up to this point, I pray you took the time to have your snowblower ready to roll.

Now the question on everyone's mind is, how long do I have to shovel my driveway and sidewalks if I live in Sioux Falls?

The city of Sioux Falls generally gives its residents (48) hours to clear sidewalks and walkways of snow and ice once the precipitation ends.

Lucky for us, this round of snowfall is the light and fluffy variety and not the heavy, wet, heart-attack snow that Mother Nature loves to serve up on occasion here in South Dakota. She's no doubt saving that heavenly gift for later this March and April.

The city of Sioux Falls requires every property owner to sufficiently clear their sidewalks and walkways of snow. Failure to do so could result in a warning, combined with a possible citation if you fail to take action.

Residents can submit a complaint to the city if a lazy neighbor fails to comply with the city's snow removal ordinance. According to Dakota News Now, if a complaint is submitted, the city will notify the resident in question with either a door hanger or a phone call.

Once notified, the resident has (24) hours to break out their shovel and snowblower and get to work. Failure to do so will result in a $100 citation.

If you still decide to sit on your thumbs and do nothing, the city will then hire a contractor to clear your walkways, and guess what, you get to pick up the tab.

In the end, your inactivity has the potential to be somewhat of a costly little experience.

Keeping the city walkways free of snow and ice during the winter months is important.

Matt Tobias, the Neighborhood Revitalization manager for the city of Sioux Falls told Dakota News Now, “A lot of people are walking to and from neighborhoods. There are kids walking to bus stops, so it’s very important that we enforce that ordinance because people have to get around if they don’t have a car.”

Be advised, that once it stops snowing, the city asks that every property owner clear their walkways down to the pavement, edge to edge.

You can see the Sioux Falls snow removal ordinance and get a better understanding of what is expected of residents after every significant snowfall here.

Source: Dakota News Now/City of Sioux Falls