Dear PoPville – How Do I Get My Neighbors to Maintain their Sidewalks?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“Dear PoPville,

I have a question regarding leaf removal from sidewalks. I live on a residential street in Kalorama, some of the houses are single family-owned, some have been subdivided into condos/apartments. This November I’ll be completing my first year on this street and I’ve noticed there are about three houses in a row that never clear the sidewalks of leaves or snow. I thought I heard once it’s the property owners who are responsible for cleaning the sidewalks but I wanted to make sure. Is this something I can go to 311 about or am I just stuck with the mess? Please note, it’s not the unsightliness of trampled leaves or the muddy snow (although it does look bad) that’s getting my goat, it’s the fact that I also have neighbors who don’t clean up after their dog’s waste resulting in hidden landmines.

I know at least one of these houses has been converted to condos/apartments but there’s nothing indicating who owns/manages the property. If this is something I can go to 311 about, will they be able to figure out who to contact or will they simply leave a note on the front door (a note that will most likely go ignored and end up on the sidewalk)?”