Snow Removal

Snow removal districts and priorities have been established to focus the city’s snow removal operations on primary transportation corridors and fully utilize snow removal equipment. View the Snow and Ice Removal Districts and Priorities Map for information about specific street priorities and districts.

While the city's snow removal operations in residential areas are limited, crews respond to safety hazards at intersections and obstructions to storm drains or gutters caused by accumulated snow and ice.

Whenever any significant snow accumulation is expected, please avoid parking along city streets when possible. This will allow snowplows to remove snow more effectively and efficiently.

Snow Removal Classifications and Priorities

Tier I – Roads will be plowed to maintain continuous all-weather access within the maximum capabilities of the city. These roads are considered major arterials, are key emergency access routes, and provide connectivity to surrounding municipalities and highways (state and U.S.).

Tier II – Roads will be plowed to provide reasonable all-weather access. These roads are considered minor arterial and collector roads to the transportation system and primary access routes to schools for school buses. Every attempt will be made to plow these roads the same day as the storm.

Tier III – Roads will be plowed to provide reasonable all-weather access. These are typically local roads adjacent to Tier II roads. Every attempt will be made to plow these roads the same day as the storm.

Tier IV – Roads and surfaces will be plowed to provide reasonable all-weather access. These surfaces are typically local roads within residential subdivisions that are not adjacent to Tier II roads, public parking lots, and public recreational trails. In addition to local roads, select alleys may be plowed to allow for the safe collection of solid waste. These surfaces will be plowed after all other roads. 

Depending on storm intensity, duration, equipment failures, or other emergencies, snow removal operations within each tier may be delayed or suspended to allocate resources for higher-tier snow removal priorities.

Sidewalks

Residents and businesses can help ease the impact of snowstorms by keeping public sidewalks free of snow and ice as required by city ordinance. Please help keep gutters and storm drains open by NOT shoveling snow into the street. Diligence in removing snow and ice from sidewalks is an important courtesy to your fellow residents and contributes to everyone’s safety.

Of course, there are many hazards inherent to snow and ice and residents should use caution when walking or driving under these conditions. Becoming familiar with the city's snow removal routes and policies helps keep yourself and others safe during snowy weather.