Snow Emergency, Snow Removal, Winter Parking, and Snowmobile Information
- Receive snow emergency information by text, email, voicemail, etc.
- Follow this link for information regarding the notification system!
Snow Emergency Hotline
Please Note – Dates and times regarding snow emergencies are NOT posted on this website. Local media is notified when a snow emergency is declared. The two options listed above are provided to the public for snow emergency information.
Call (320) 234-5699.
For questions regarding the Community Notification System please contact the COH Information Technology Department at (320) 234-4200 or email Us.
Snow Emergency Ordinance
- The City Administrator or other designated official may declare a snow emergency in the city. The emergency shall be declared by 4:00 p.m. and shall take effect later that same evening at 12:00 am (midnight). The snow emergency shall continue to be in effect for 24 hours.
- Notice of the declaration of a snow emergency shall be given by notifying the local news media; however the notification shall be a service right only and not a duty on the part of city officials.
- During a declared snow emergency, no motor vehicle shall be parked on any street or alleyway in the city between the hours of midnight and 7:00 am, except as otherwise posted.
- During a declared snow emergency, any police officer is authorized to have a motor vehicle which is parked in violation of this section removed at the owners’ expense. (2004 Code, § 72.15) (Ord. 09-0536, passed 12-22-2009)
Snow Removal
In a typical snowstorm, the snow crew, made up of around 18 people from a number of City departments and as many as 9 private snow hauling contractors, are working at night and early in the morning. Crews go to work plowing and removing snow using a variety of equipment, including; snowplow trucks, dump trucks, light trucks, wheel loaders, skid steer loaders and tractors.
Work begins on priority routes, those with the highest traffic counts, and moves into neighborhoods, cul-de-sacs, alleys, parking lots and sidewalks/trails.
Map of snow plowing routes. Zoom for street names.
Policies & procedures related to snow removal.
Snow Removal Tips
- Clear sidewalks adjacent to your home. Property owners are responsible for clearing snow/ice on sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours.
- Do not put snow on roadways. Minnesota statutes and City ordinances prohibit plowing, shoveling, blowing or placing snow onto public roadways.
- Shovel around hydrants. Keep a path to and around the hydrants open for fire safety.
- Install sturdy mailboxes. Mailboxes should be sturdy enough to withstand snow coming off the end of the plow. If damage occurs due to snow hitting a box, the City is not responsible for repairs. Only when there is direct impact by a snowplow will the City repair/replace mailboxes. Maximum compensation for mailbox repairs is set by the City Council.
- Place garbage containers behind the curb. Do not place garbage containers in the street, allow room for streets to be plowed from curb to curb.
- Keep a clear area ‘upstream’ of your driveway. By keeping a clear area ‘upstream’ of your driveway, snow coming off of the plow will be deposited there, rather than in your driveway.
(By using any maps on this web site, you accept and understand the accuracy of the maps contained with-in and will use them in the manner intended.)
Winter Parking
Residents are urged to do their part to help keep streets clean by parking on streets after they have been plowed curb-to-curb.
Some areas have specific parking restrictions for the winter season. These areas are posted with signs.
Following heavy snow, wind and/or significant icing, the City may declare a snow emergency. Snow emergencies are declared before 4:00 pm and are effective between midnight and 7:00 am During a declared snow emergency, no on-street parking is allowed and the police department may remove vehicles (at the owner’s expense) that are parked in violation of the snow emergency.