Snow Emergency Policy

A Snow Emergency AUTOMATICALLY goes into effect when two or more inches of snow have accumulated. Vehicles must be moved off the street until the road has been cleared from curb to curb. Cars that are in violation may be ticketed and towed. The cost of a Snow Emergency parking violation is $77.

Changes to Snow Emergency Notification

Consistent with last year, the City will not alert or declare a snow emergency. Per City ordinance, a snow emergency AUTOMATICALLY goes into effect when two or more inches of snow have accumulated. Residents will need to watch the snowfall and move their vehicles off the road. If a resident is unclear whether a full 2 inches have accumulated, they should proactively move their vehicle off the street.

Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy

In November of 2023, the City Council adopted the Snow Plowing and Ice Control Policy. The policy includes information on the timing of plowing and ice control operations, materials used, repairs that may be needed, a snow removal operations plan and a map of plowing zones and primary routes. 

Public Parking Options During Snow Emergency

Residents may need to utilize public parking lots during a Snow Emergency to avoid getting ticketed and towed. Please see the attachment below to review our public parking options.

Map of Public Parking Lots

Extended Snowfall

During an extended storm, when snow continues to fall for an extended period of time, our cleanup requires multiple passes and can take longer to complete. You are still required to keep vehicles off the street until the snow storm has ended and the street has been plowed to its full width.

Towing

If your vehicle has been towed, it will be taken to Southeast Towing. You can reach them at 651-437-2446.

Shovel Sidewalks

City code requires you to clear sidewalks on your property within 48 hours after the end of a snowfall for general public safety. 

Adopt-a-Hydrant

Seconds count during an emergency. If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please remember to shovel a path to the hydrant and a three-foot area around the hydrant so emergency personnel can access the hydrant in an emergency. Check the location of the hydrant nearest to your home. If this task is a burden for the homeowner, please offer to assist. Be a Hydrant Hero. 

Garbage and Recycling Bins

Please do NOT place your garbage and recycling bins in the street during winter. This causes problems for our snowplows. You can put cans in your driveway, or on the curb. The lift arm on garbage/recycling trucks can reach to pick up cans up to two feet away from the curb.

Designated Snowmobile Routes

Snowmobile operation within the City is limited to a few select on-street routes and only for the purposes of getting between the operators residence and designated snowmobile trail systems outside of the City.  Please see the map of the designated snowmobile routes for additional details.