Record snowfall swept through the Mahoning Valley Sunday evening into Monday morning, and depending on where you live, property owners may be legally required to clean up Mother Nature's mess.

Since 1962, Section 723.011 of the Ohio Revised Code gives the power to make snow shoveling ordinances to municipalities throughout the state. Several in the area have created these policies while others have not.

Canfield is one of those towns, where residents can be found guilty of a minor misdemeanor and could face a fine for breaking City Ordinance 521.06: Sidewalks must be kept clean and in repair. But before you bust out a shovel to dig up double-digit snowfall, a city clerk said that police are unlikely to care enough to enforce the law. That's thanks to the large amount of snow this week. 

In Salem, city Service and Safety Administrator Joe Cappuzzello said their community has the exact same policy as Canfield.

"I'm not sure when it went into effect," said Cappuzzello. "I imagine it was the same as when Canfield set their ordinance or maybe soon after the Ohio Revised Code policy was written."

Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson said their village has another similar ordinance—and it states that residents are required to shovel snow within 12 hours of it sticking to the ground.

"We have this ordinance, but we are certainly going to give people more time to clean it up," said Mayor Wilson. "Most of our sidewalks are clean after we recorded around 12 inches of snow."

Wilson sited the importance of the policy and how it effects everyone from residents on walks, or schoolchildren going to class.

"I was just on Justice Street walking by our elementary school, and the sidewalks were mostly clear," he said.

Niles Service Director Anthony Flarey confirmed that their city also has an ordinance that requires residents to shovel sidewalks, and he too argued that people need to be aware, responsible and take kids walking to school into account.

"I'm not sure how well we enforce it," said Flarey. "I have heard nothing from public officials regarding any injuries caused by it. It's certainly a situation."

But some places like Austintown don't require you to shovel your sidewalk at all.

Township Administrator Mike Dockry said Austintown residents have no no legal obligation to shovel their sidewalks. The township won't do it for residents, but there are no fines or legal implications if residents choose to leave their sidewalks covered in snow. It's all at their own discretion.

Poland is similar to Austintown. A Township Clerk said they no ordinances that require any sort of sidewalk clearing or upkeep. If residents want to they can, but there will be no repercussions if they fail to do so.

So while some communities technically require residents to pick up the shovel, there is a broad scope to whether or not it will be enforced. Other communities are off the hook and will have to leave the labor decisions to themselves. 

Communities that require residents to shovel their sidewalks:

Canfield

Lisbon

Niles

Salem

Communities that have no policy:

Austintown

Poland