Legal Notice
Town of Southbury
The following Ordinance was adopted by the Board of Selectmen on June 18, 2026 and becomes effective 15 days after publication.
15.4 - Removal of snow and ice from around pressurized fire hydrants, dry hydrants, fire suppression tanks, and fire department connections
The owner of any premises upon which there is a pressurized fire hydrant, or, in the case of a pressurized fire hydrant located in a town right-of-way, the owner of the property directly adjacent to the pressurized fire hydrant, shall cause all snow and ice to be removed from and around such pressurized fire hydrant to allow immediate access to such pressurized fire hydrant within 24 hours after the storm event and/or precipitation ceases. Snow and ice shall be removed when snow and/or ice reaches within five (5") inches of a pressurized hydrant's opening, and the removal shall be such that where applicable as providing a three foot (3') diameter cleared area around the pressurized fire hydrant with a three foot (3') clear access path to the pressurized fire hydrant from the street or vehicle travel way.
The owner of any premises upon which there is a dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connections, or, in the case of a dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connections located in a town right-of-way, the owner of the property directly adjacent to the dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connections shall cause all snow and ice to be removed from and around such dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connections to allow immediate access to such dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connections within 24 hours after the storm event and/or precipitation ceases. Snow and ice shall be removed when snow and/or ice reaches a total depth of twelve inches (12"), providing a three-foot (3') diameter cleared area around the dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connections with a three-foot (3') clear access path to the dry hydrant, fire suppression tank, and/or fire department connection from the street or vehicle travel way.
Fines and Penalties. Whenever such snow or ice shall not have been so removed, the First Selectman or his designated agent may cause the snow or ice to be removed and the expense thereof shall be chargeable to the owner whose duty it was to remove such snow or ice. Any person found in violation of any provision of this article shall be fined an amount set by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen may change the amount of the fines imposed hereunder from time to time without amending the ordinance.
Appeal. An owner found to be in violation of this Ordinance may challenge any aspect of the violation, fine, and penalty payable under this section by submitting a written appeal to the office of the First Selectman within thirty (30) days of the date of the challenged violation. The appeal shall be heard by the Board of Selectmen within thirty (30) days, and the ruling of said board shall be issued within an additional thirty (30) days. Any fines and penalties for a violation of this Ordinance not paid within thirty (30) of the date of the violation, fine and penalty or within the date of a final decision of the Board of Selectmen on any appeal, shall constitute a lien against such property and a lien shall be prepared and recorded against such property within ninety (90) days of such date.
Effective date July 15, 2026.