Until Tuesday city residents risked a $50 fine if they didnt shovel the sidewalk in front of their homes within 24 hours after a snowfall. Snowmageddon 2010 seems to have changed that.

The city council altered Alexandrias code Tuesday to base the fee on a sliding scale of severe weather. If it snows 8 inches or less residents can still be fined within 24 hours of the storms end. Eight or more inches buy you an extra day.

In severe blizzards like last winters, when all roads were closed to non-emergency vehicles and the storm outstripped city resources, residents get three days to clear the walk.

Bud dont go buying a snow blower just yet; city staff estimates it will produce negligible new revenue, indicating lacking enforcement of the fine.