CITY OF ALEXANDRIA SNOW REMOVAL POLICY

POLICY STATEMENT
It is the goal of the Street Department to maintain safe travel for vehicles and pedestrians throughout the City of Alexandria.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SNOW REMOVAL?
The Street Department of the City of Alexandria provides snow and ice control services to the City. Utilizing City employees and private contractors, the City plows and removes snow from streets, alleys, city sidewalks (that abut City property), and municipal parking lots.

THE STRATEGY
The strategy used to plow streets, sidewalks, and other City facilities depends on a combination of various factors including:

• Time the snow began
• Duration of snowfall
• Type of snow – light/dry or wet/heavy
• Temperature before and after snowfall
• High winds – drifting
• Snow accumulation
• Available equipment – taking into consideration any equipment that is down

POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Generally, with a snowfall of 2 inches or more, the City plows all streets and alleys, City parking lots and sidewalks (abutting City properties) in the City. This typically begins at 3:00 am. The snow and ice removal procedures, in order of priority, are as follows:

1. Streets classified or functioning as arterial and major collector streets throughout the City, and streets and alleys in the Downtown Business District are plowed These are high volume traffic streets that connect major sections of the City and provide access for emergency vehicles.
2. All residential streets and City parking lots are
3. All alleys outside the Downtown Business District are
4. Pedestrian bridges, steps, and sidewalks that abut City property are plowed after the streets have been plowed and other snow and ice control services of higher priority have been completed.
5. The City applies salt or salt/sand when hazardous ice or slippery conditions Priority sanding operations shall be as follows:

• Portions of arterial and major collector streets in the Downtown Business District
• Steep grade streets and alleys
• City Parking lots
• Portions of all residential streets

6. Hauling of snow occurs in the arterial and major collector streets where snow must be moved to make room for more snow storage.

When a larger snowfall occurs, the same procedures apply. Several passes on the snow routes may be made during a prolonged snow event. The Department may need to work longer shifts and/or back-to-back shifts. Furthermore, when weather conditions are so severe as to endanger Department employees or equipment, snow and ice control services may not be started, or if started, may be terminated.

During the process of snow removal, snow may be thrown onto driveways and sidewalks. The Street Department works to minimize this, but there is no way to remove the snow from the street and not have some of this occur.

It is in violation of State law and City ordinances to put snow or ice back on the street when cleaning private property. No business may move snow or ice across a street without physically picking it up and moving it. Violators of these ordinances will be reported to the Alexandria Police Department.

The Street Department does not clear private driveways or sidewalks. Residents need to arrange for snow removal, no matter what the amount, from private property.

Stakes are occasionally used to provide equipment operators with guides to locate the curbs or other hazards. These stakes are to be moved and/or removed only by the City employees.

SIDEWALKS
Property owners or tenants are responsible for the sidewalks adjacent to their property. Sidewalks must be clear of ice and snow 24 hours after the snow/ice has subsided. Additional City Code Chapter 6 – Section 6.05 “Ice and Snow on Public Sidewalks” information can be found on the City’s website at: City Code Chapter 6.05

MAILBOXES
The Street Department does not plow out mailboxes. Plows generally stay one to two feet away so as to minimize the potential for any damage.

The City does not assume any responsibilities for mailboxes that are installed on City owned right-of-ways and are damaged due to the force of snow generated by the snow removal process.

LAWN SPRINKLERS & LIGHTING SYSTEMS
The City does not assume any responsibility for damage to underground lawn sprinkling systems, exterior lighting systems, and similar landscaping installed on City owned right-of-ways.

WINTER STREET PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Winter parking restrictions go into effect November 1st of each year and remain in effect until April 1st. During this duration, all vehicles must be moved within 24 hours upon the conclusion of the snowfall event. Parking restrictions also apply as posted in designated areas within the City limits.

SNOW EMERGENCYS
If a snow emergency is declared and a vehicle is parked in violation of the ordinances, the vehicle can be towed to facilitate plowing. Snow emergencies will be announced on local radio stations and other news media outlets. Additional snow emergency information can be found on the City’s website at: Ordinance No. 914 – Emergency Street and Cleaning Restrictions

NOTE OF CAUTION
Snow removal equipment is very difficult to operate, requiring intense concentration of the operators. Please give them a wide area to operate in. It is a driver’s responsibility to drive according to the conditions, which, in this area, include snow and ice in the winter months.

Revised: November 2025 – City Public Works