City of Evanston
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Snow Removal
Keeping roads, sidewalks and parking lots clear of snow is a cooperative effort. Thank you for your help in keeping Evanston safe for all residents.
How Does the City Handle Snow?
The City begins preparing for snow long before the first flakes hit the ground. When weather conditions are appropriate, Public Works crews apply anti-icing liquid to all major snow routes and near schools approximately eight hours before forecasted snow.
As snow falls, Public Works crews simultaneous clear snow routes, residential streets, and sidewalks adjacent to parks and City-owned properties.
Snow accumulations at the curb caused by City plows are unavoidable. Please understand that work crews cannot stop to clear driveways as this occurs.
View the City's Snow & Ice Removal Control Program and Operations Manual >>>
How Can You Help?
Parking
- Parking on Snow Routes (major thoroughfares) is prohibited between 11 pm and 6 am following a snow accumulation of 2" or more.
- The City's emergency sirens will sound at 8:15 pm on snow route parking ban nights.
- If a Snow Emergency is declared following a snow accumulation of 4" or more Odd/Even parking restrictions go into effect between 8 am and 6 pm on streets that are NOT Snow Routes (i.e., side streets):
- Parking is restricted on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered dates (e.g., January 12)
- Parking is restricted on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered dates (e.g., January 13)
- The City's emergency sirens will sound at 7:15 am and 12:15 pm on Snow Emergency days.
- Motorists can assist snow removal and emergency response by:
- Parking as close to the curb as possible while leaving intersections and alley entrances clear.
- Voluntarily following Odd/Even parking rules during snowfalls that are not declared Snow Emergencies and avoiding street parking altogether if possible.
Shoveling
Homeowners and landlords are responsible for clearing a path through all public walkways adjacent to their property at least 36 inches wide within 24 hours of the end of the snowfall.Please help crews clear the area by shoveling snow onto your lawn or the parkway rather than the street. Unfortunately, occasional snow accumulations on driveways and sidewalks by curbs and corners are unavoidable. Property owners are responsible for removing snow from those areas.
Landlords are responsible for keeping sidewalks, parking lots and all common areas, including open stairwells, free from all hazardous conditions at all times. To report a snow removal violation, please call/text 847-448-4311.
If you need assistance shoveling, or would like to volunteer to help elderly and disabled neighbors with shoveling, sign up for the City's Volunteer Snow Shoveling Program.
Although the City does not plow alleys, refuse and recycling collections continue. We encourage you to make sure your refuse containers are accessible. Residents are encouraged to clear snow to allow crews to access refuse containers. Please consider talking to your neighbors about sharing the cost of hiring a private service to plow your alley.
We also appreciate your efforts to to clear snow from fire hydrants. Ensuring that fire hydrants are visible and accessible from the street can save precious time in an emergency.
See the City Code section addressing snow removal requirements.
Drivers are reminded to give snow plows enough room to do their jobs safely:
Key Points:
- Assist the snow removal process by following posted parking restrictions and parking off-street if possible;
- Clear driveway entrances by pushing snow in the same direction as the snow plows;
- Please understand that snow accumulations in driveway entrances, sidewalks, and walkways by corner crosswalks are unavoidable and it is the homeowner's responsibility to clear them;
- Shovel snow into the grass/parkway to keep driving lanes safe and clear;
- Clear a 36" wide path through all public walkways adjacent to your property within 24 hours of the end of the snowfall.
- Although the City does not plow alleys, refuse and recycling collections continue. Residents are encouraged to clear snow to allow crews to access refuse containers. In addition, residents' efforts to clear snow from fire hydrants is much appreciated.