Coeur d'Alene, ID Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Section 12.24.010 of the Coeur d'Alene Municipal Code puts the sidewalk duty on every owner or occupant of any house or other building, and also on the owner or occupant of any vacant lot or block. Within a reasonable time after a snowfall, considering all the circumstances, and whenever otherwise necessary, that person must clear the abutting sidewalk of snow and ice and keep it reasonably free so citizens can use it in a safe and convenient manner. Where snow or ice is so compacted or frozen that it cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk, the owner or occupant must apply sand or other traction material.

There are two enforcement tracks. Under section 12.24.020 the city can notify the street superintendent of the last known legal owner, the property address and the work to be performed. The superintendent does the work and sends the cost to the City Council, and the cost is assessed against the owner of the lot, block or property abutting the sidewalk. The assessment is a lien on the property, collected like other special assessments, or by any other way the law allows.

Under section 12.24.025, a police officer or another person designated by the city or the chief of police who observes a violation can issue a civil citation instead or in addition. The citation describes the circumstances and states the penalty set by City Council resolution, payable within ten days of receipt. An appeal is filed in writing within ten calendar days of issuance, and the city administrator or a designee rules within fifteen days. Weeds and grass on the same lot fall under chapter 8.08, which applies to the owner or occupant of real property and sets an eight inch height limit.