Ready, Set, Snow!
The average annual snow fall in Iowa is approximately 33 inches. However, we all know how unpredictable our weather can be. At the Department of Public Works we rely on the most current meteorological information to predict our future needs. Des Moines has a population of 198,682 and over 913 miles of streets. Keeping the community mobile is a top priority for the City and we take a serious approach to the problems associated with snow and ice control.
Our Objectives
One of the primary objectives of the Department of Public Works is to provide a plan for the safe and orderly movement of emergency equipment, vehicle traffic, and pedestrians through the City during adverse weather conditions. A snow and ice control plan has been developed to facilitate this objective. The City’s policy is to provide maximum service on major arterial streets and collectors roads comprising the basic street network needed to safely and orderly move the majority of the city’s traffic.
Receive Notification When Snow Ordinance is in Effect
The Department of Public Works offers several ways for you to access information about when the snow ordinance is in effect:
Subscribe to receive email notification when the snow ordinance is in effect.
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Snow Event Priorities
When snow accumulations exceed one inch, plowing is initiated on the streets in the snow route system. Designated Snow Routes are given first priority for snow and ice control. Clearance of snow from the snow routes normally takes from 24 to 36 hours after the snowfall ends.
When snow accumulations exceed four inches, Residential Plowing will commence after the completion of snow route plowing. Clearance of snow from the residential streets normally takes an additional 36 hours. If you live on or near a cul-de-sac or dead end, special equipment is used to plow these areas.
Snow removal in alleys is a low priority. Plowing is performed in selected alleys primarily to facilitate solid waste collection.
You can help!
Snow and ice control is a difficult and time-consuming operation. We need your help to enable us to clear the streets more quickly and completely. Crews can do a better job of plowing when cars are not parked on the street. We ask that residents park their vehicle off the street during snow removal operations. City ordinance prohibits the parking of vehicles on a snow route when snow or ice removal operations are in progress. The equipment that we use to clear snow from streets may leave a ridge of snow across your driveway. It is the responsibility of the property owner to remove the ridge left by our snow plowing equipment. When shoveling out the mouth of your driveway, throw the snow to the right or left, but NOT in the street.
Resident Responsibilities when Snow Ordinance is in Effect
Residents are responsible to move vehicles off snow routes when the snow ordinance is in effect. Failure to do this can result in ticketing and/or towing.
The Department of Public Works offers several ways for you to access information about when the snow ordinance is in effect:
Subscribe to receive email notification when the snow ordinance is in effect.
Press Releases - subscribe to news page via RSS (real-simple syndication)
When the snow ordinance is in effect residents must move vehicles parked on streets designated as snow routes. It is also helpful if residents make every effort to move vehicles from the streets when residential plowing begins.
City Sidewalk Ordinance
To help ensure that sidewalks are safe during the winter, City ordinance requires residents to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 48 hours following the end of the snowfall. Property owners who do not comply are subject to a civil citation. A helpful hint for residents on snow routes – clear your sidewalk after the snowplows have finished plowing to the curb. When you remove snow from your driveway or sidewalk, please remember that City ordinance prohibits placing snow on any public street, sidewalk, or right-of- way.
Requested Service Level - Snow Ordinance Streets
The city has an ordinance prohibiting parking during snow removal operations in participating neighborhoods. The ordinance designates all residential streets in participating neighborhoods as "Snow Ordinance Streets". The Department of Public Works plows Snow Ordinance Streets after every snow event following the completion of the Snow Routes. During this operation "No Parking" is enforced on these streets. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact us at 283-4950.
Check this MAP to find out if your neighborhood participates.
If your neighborhood participates, you can SUBSCRIBE to receive email notification when plowing will commence on the "Snow Ordinance Streets".
Additional Neighborhoods Welcomed
The Department of Public Works is expanding its Snow Ordinance Street Program from 16 to 24 neighborhoods for the winter of 2011-12. If your neighborhood would like to participate, please see program highlights and selection criteria.
"No Parking" Enforcement
"No Parking Until Plowed" signs will be posted on streets entering neighborhoods participating in the "Snow Ordinance Streets" program. No Parking during snow removal operations will be enforced by the Des Moines Police Department. Vehicles not complying will receive a $35 ticket. Tickets can be appealed using the Parking Ticket Appeal process.
Parking Alternatives
Possible parking alternatives include, snow routes after they have been plowed, neighbors' driveways (with permission), and parking lots (with permission) such as businesses, schools, churches, parks.