With winter weather on the horizon, Geneva residents should be prepared to move their parked cars off the street when snowfall occurs to ensure the City’s plowing operations run efficiently.

Parking is prohibited when snowfall reaches:

2 Inches

Posted “Snow Routes,” which are highways and main collector streets with higher speed limits;

3 Inches

Residential roadways, including alleys, cul-de-sacs, and dead ends.

The Geneva Public Works Department also can restrict parking based on the forecast from the National Weather Service or other weather agencies for snow, sleet or freezing rain. If weather conditions are predicted to be hazardous to motorists, a parking ban may be put into effect to promote public safety and welfare on the roadways. Access to snow routes and residential streets is important in providing emergency services to the community.

With cooperation from residents and visitors, Public Works crews will be able to maximize the effectiveness of their snow removal operations. Cars left on the street during a parking ban risk being ticketed or towed.

Subscribe To Community Alerts

During major snow events, residents can find parking restrictions and plowing updates on the City website's Alert Center. People can subscribe to receive those updates by visiting “Notify Me” and selecting “Community Alerts.” Information also will be posted on the City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Which Streets Are Plowed First

When road conditions become hazardous, “Snow Routes” are cleared of snow and ice first before crews will transition to residential neighborhoods. Parking is not permitted on residential streets at any time within 12 hours following a snowfall of 3 inches or more or until a street has been plowed to the curb.

During a major snowstorm, residential streets will receive one pass in each direction to provide access for motorists and emergency vehicles. After the snowfall has ended, all streets will be plowed curb-to-curb.

Mailboxes

Snowplow drivers are careful to avoid damaging mailboxes, however, with limited space to pile snow and hundreds of miles of roadway to plow during each snowstorm, drivers cannot avoid pushing snow against mailboxes.

Residents should ensure their mailboxes are secured before winter weather hits. Check that your mailbox post is straight and that the box is not leaning over the curb. Replace damaged or rotting posts. Check the connection point between the box and the post to ensure that the box is securely fastened. The U.S. Postal Service offers guidelines for mailbox installation and placement.

Anti-Icing Program

In addition to plowing, Public Works crews use an anti-icing program that includes different applications of a liquid mixture of salt brine, calcium chloride and an agricultural byproduct (typically beet juice). Crews can custom blend the mixture for each snow event based on pavement/air temperatures and wind speeds to efficiently slow roadway icing.

The mixture can be applied directly to the street (white lines may be noticeable on the pavement) up to 48 hours before a snow event, or added to the salt to jumpstart the activation process in cold weather.

Anti-icing has several benefits. Most importantly, it helps crews remove snow and ice from the pavement faster. It also reduces the average amount of salt applied during snow events by 15 to 20% – saving money and helping protect the environment.