Snow Emergencies

snow emerg - Copy (2)

Please be patient and courteous with our crews and office staff as we strive to maintain the roads during snow and ice events.

Those with concerns are encouraged to use the “Report a Problem” form on the city website or call the Street Department at 319-291- 4267 with questions about snow removal on streets. 

Click here to open the above map in a new browser. 
Snow Emergencies-
When the City of Waterloo declares a Snow Emergency residents are encouraged to move cars off streets to allow snow removal crews to clear city streets. The 48-hour parking violation will be enforced. Snow routes are in effect for a prescribed period of time.

Enforcement of parking meters in downtown maybe suspended for street parking during the snow emergency.


Streets-

Snow will be removed from priority and emergency streets first.  Residential streets are cleared only after receiving three inches of snow. Please refer to the map above to identify the priority streets in Waterloo or click here to open the above map in a new browser. 

Public Works Department uses every possible means to remove snow in a timely manner. Employees work up to 16 hours at a time. Overtime and union restrictions apply. Vehicles equipped with snow plowing equipment is refitted for snow removal operations in the downtown.  

Businesses and residents of downtown are given notice of snow removal. All vehicles must be moved from street-side parking to allow for efficient and effective clean-up. Free parking is available in ramps in NON-RESERVED SPOTS ONLY for the prescribed time. Downtown businesses and residents appraised of changes through the media and Main Street Waterloo office.
 
Leisure Services is responsible for snow removal at many City owned properties (657A homes) and the parking lots at Young Arena and Sportsplex.

For Businesses: The City of Waterloo reminds all area businesses and property owners about transferring of snow/ice from a private property onto public property in the city. The transferred snow/ice often freezes and as the city plows attempt to do their best to clear the streets, coming in contact with the transferred snow/ice can cause damage to equipment and possibly injury to the plow driver .
If you are notified of transferring of snow by Code Enforcement, you may be required to remove it, place it back on your property, or haul it away.

Please remind all of your contractors/workers that are in charge of plowing that they cannot transfer the snow to city streets or property.

A second offense of transferring of snow/ice could result in a $200 fine and the cost removal of the snow. Do not plow the snow into the street, block a sidewalk, or onto any city location that has been designated to remove the snow by trucks.


Sidewalks (7-1-2: PROHIBITED ACTS AND CONDITIONS)
City of Waterloo-
It shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner(s) to remove accumulations of two inches (2") or more of snow and ice from sidewalks as follows:
  • Within twenty-four (24) hours in a three (3) block radius of schools and hospitals. 
    • Please refer to the map above to identify the locations of hospitals and schools in Waterloo or click here to open the above map in a new browser. 
  • Within forty-eight (48) hours in all other areas of the city except for the Downtown Business District.
  • If additional snow events occur, the time frame commencing from the original snowfall will not reset.
  • Removal Not Reasonable: In the event that snow or ice cannot be reasonably removed, the owner shall put on the sidewalk, sand or other abrasive material in such an amount and manner to make foot traffic reasonably safe. The owner will maintain that condition until the weather permits the removal of the snow or ice.
Downtown Business District-
It shall be the responsibility of the abutting business and/or owner(s) of property located in the Downtown Business District, which is the area bounded by Franklin Street, 6th Street, Washington Street, and 1st Street, to remove accumulations of two inches (2”) or more of snow and ice from sidewalks, as follows:
  • Within twenty-four (24) hours.
  • The use of salt, abrasive material, or a combination thereof must be used to make foot traffic reasonably safe.
  • If additional snow events occur, the time frame commencing from the original snowfall will not reset.
  • Sidewalks must be cleared the entire length and width of the property.
  • Snow must be cleared from the building to two feet past the curb and placed in the parking area, not in the traveled portion of the roadway, for removal by city crews.