City of Minneapolis declares Snow Emergency

December 19, 2024
Snow Emergencies

After consulting with operational staff and public safety officials, the City of Minneapolis has declared a Snow Emergency beginning today, December 19th at 12pm. City crews have been plowing and treating streets to keep them drivable. Snow Emergency parking rules will take effect beginning at 9 p.m. tonight so crews can continue their work and plow more than 1,000 miles of streets as wide as possible.  

Snow Emergency Parking Rules 

We aim to provide open, drivable streets by plowing and clearing snow. To do this, we need residents to help us by following snow emergency parking rules. These rules help plows in clearing the streets so emergency vehicles and other traffic can get around and park. Plowing requires vehicles parked on streets to move. It’s in everyone’s best interest to do their part so plows can do the best job possible, and people can avoid a ticket and tow.  

Parking rules last for three days after a Snow Emergency is declared: 

  • 9 p.m. today, December 19th to 8 a.m. Friday, December 20th (Day 1) 
    Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency route until 8 a.m., or the street is fully plowed. 
  • 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, December 20th (Day 2)  
    Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed, or on EITHER side of a parkway until 8 p.m., or the parkway is fully plowed. 
  • 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, December 21st (Day 3)  
    Do not park on the ODD numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed. 

A map of which streets are Snow Emergency routes can be found on the city’s website. 

Sign up now, stay informed throughout the season 

Residents, workers and visitors have several ways to learn when Snow Emergencies are declared and what to do when they are. We recommend signing up for at least two types of alerts: 

  • Call the snow emergency hotline - Our automated hotline can be reached at 612-348-SNOW (7669). If a Snow Emergency is in effect, the hotline will have information on that day’s parking restrictions that drivers need to follow to avoid tickets and tows. The hotline includes information in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. 
  • Check our social media pages 
  • Call 311 
  • Watch local TV or radio 

 
Remember to clear sidewalks and around your garbage carts 

Sidewalks are a critical part of our city’s transportation system, and they should be open for everyone. That’s why Minneapolis ordinance requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall for houses and duplexes, and four daytime hours for all other properties. Failure to shovel your walk could lead to a bill to pay for the cost of crews shoveling it. The City also provides free sand to residents at several locations. After you clear your sidewalks, spreading sand helps to provide traction. It also helps hard-packed snow or ice melt faster. Learn more on the City’s website.  

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