BOISE -- With all the recent snowfall, many residents are wondering why so many people don't shovel their sidewalks. Some are asking the question 'Is that illegal?'

Whether you're a business, a homeowner, or even the owner of a vacant lot, city officials say you are responsible for keeping your walkways clear of snow.

If you don't, it doesn't just mean the possibility of a lawsuit when someone falls; it also could mean a misdemeanor citation and a big fine.

Some people do a lot of walking in the snow, like Violet Mandella who has been a mail carrier for 22 years.

“When it turns icy then I worry because I have to cross intersections and really icy right now, it's really good because it's just powder, so it's easy to walk,” said Mandella.

She estimates about half the sidewalks don't get shoveled.

Alex Manoulian is visiting Boise from the Midwest and is surprised by all the snow he sees on the sidewalks.

“It's kind of indiscriminate here.  You walk down some of the streets and most of the sidewalk is shoveled, or none of it. It's very intermittent,” said Manoulian.

And it's been a frequent cause of calls to the mayor’s hotline.

“We've gotten some calls and the answer is “yes,” there is an ordinance that requires business owners and homeowners to clear their sidewalks in a reasonable and timely fashion after the snow,” said Adam Park, Boise Mayor’s Office.

That ordinance requires sidewalks to be cleared by 9 a.m. and thereafter as needed.  There are consequences for those who don’t follow the law.

“We will send them a letter asking them to please clear their walk immediately. If they don't clear the walk, they're subject up to a thousand dollar fine,” said Park.

So far this winter, 40 warnings have gone out from the city of Boise, but no citations have been issued.

“When you have unclear sidewalks it's just difficult for people to make their way down the street to go about their business,” said Park.

Manoulian believes a casual Northwest lifestyle is to blame for the problem.

“I’m surprised there isn't like lawyers just thriving in this place, for in this suitable society that people slip and fall.  They'd have a field day with this in Detroit or Michigan,” said Manoulian.

The city would like to encourage people to help out their neighbors who may not be able to shovel their walks, due to disability or just being out of town.

Right now the city is waiting for complaints to come in from residents before warning owners of their obligation.

If you'd like to make a complaint to Boise city code enforcement about a sidewalk that isn't being cleared, you can call their office at 384-3845.