It’s important for everyone in our community to get where they need to go—no matter how they’re traveling or what time of year. During the winter months, that means keeping streets and sidewalks clear of snow and ice so Kalamazoo remains safe, accessible, and connected for all who live, work, and travel here.
Snow and ice affect more than just drivers. Clear streets support emergency response, transit service, and essential travel, while clear sidewalks are critical for students walking to school, transit riders reaching bus stops, older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone traveling on foot. When snow and ice are not managed consistently, mobility becomes more difficult and safety risks increase across the community.
The City of Kalamazoo plays an important role in winter operations. At the same time, keeping Kalamazoo moving during winter is a shared responsibility. City ordinance requires property owners to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their properties within a set timeframe. When we all do our part, it helps create a connected network of safe, passable routes throughout the city
Report Uncleared Sidewalks Report Missed Snow Plowing
Our crews follow a system to keep people moving safely:
Crews stay on major streets until they are passable, then move into neighborhoods. Once streets are cleared, crews may return to haul snow away in areas where there is limited space to store it, such as downtown.
The amount of time it takes depends on the snowfall amount, duration, and temperature:
These goals are based on when the snowfall ends. If snow continues for multiple days, crews must repeatedly re-clear streets. The 24-and 48-hour goals begin after snowfall has ended, not during an active storm. During prolonged snowfall it will take more time to clear the streets.
Typically, 10-12 plow trucks are deployed throughout the city operating 24 hours a day until snow is cleared. During major storms, the City may deploy additional trucks using cross-trained staff from other departments when resources allow.
Yes. During snow events:
Snow plowing is demanding on both equipment and crews, but operations continue until the streets are cleared.
As plows clear streets, snow is pushed to the sides of the road, which can end up across driveways. This is unavoidable during street clearing.
Shoveling a small area along the street edge on the oncoming traffic side of your driveway can help reduce the amount of snow pushed back in.
Please wait two days after snow has completely stopped falling before reporting a missed street. This allows crews time to work through the streets.
Report Missed Snow Plowing
The City plows city streets, which are marked by blue street signs with white lettering. Other roads are maintained by different agencies:
The City does not plow private streets. Snow removal on private streets is the responsibility of the residents or property owners.
Parked vehicles make snow removal slower and less effective. City ordinance restricts parking on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., unless otherwise posted. Following these rules helps crews clear streets more quickly and safely. It also helps prevent cars from getting buried in snow as plows pass.
During major snowfall events, we may ask residents to park off the street if possible.
Salt is only effective down to about 20°F. Sunlight and other factors can help slightly, but below that temperature salt becomes much less effective. During extremely cold temperatures, our crews switch to sand to improve traction.
Yes, when conditions allow. Pretreating the roads helps prevent ice from bonding to pavement, but it's only effective when temperatures are above 20°F and the streets must be completely clear.
In areas like downtown, where streets are fully paved and buildings are close to the roadway, there may be little or no space to safely store snow. After priority routes and neighborhood streets are cleared, crews may return to haul snow away from select locations where space is especially limited.
The City’s first priority is keeping streets safe and passable for travel. Snow hauling is considered a cleanup activity and is only done in areas where space constraints create safety concerns or affect usign a space. As a result, not all areas receive snow hauling.
Small actions make a big difference during winter weather.
Consistent sidewalk clearing helps residents of all ages and abilities safely reach work, school, transit, services, and each other. We appreciate everyone doing their part to keep sidewalks safe and accessible throughout the winter season.
Clear sidewalks are essential for safety and mobility, especially for students, pedestrians, transit riders, older adults, and people with disabilities. When sidewalks are blocked or icy, people may be forced into the street, creating unsafe conditions for everyone.
Under City ordinance, property owners are responsible for clearing the sidewalks adjacent to their property. The City is responsible for clearing approximately 19 miles of sidewalks along City-owned and publicly maintained properties.
City Ordinance §33-18 requires property owners to:
If a property owner does not follow the ordinance, the City may:
Depositing snow or ice into the street or public right-of-way is a municipal civil infraction and may result in a $100 fine, plus court-imposed costs.
Yes. The City maintains approximately 19 miles of sidewalks along City-owned and publicly maintained properties. In 2024, City staff updated internal processes and capacity to improve winter sidewalk maintenance, and keeping these sidewalks clear remains a priority.
The City is currently conducting a pilot program to clear approximately 14 additional miles of sidewalk along high-pedestrian and transit corridors, including:
The pilot focuses on improving winter mobility in areas with high foot traffic and transit use.
Sidewalks should be cleared within 48 hours after snow or ice accumulation. If a sidewalk remains uncleared after that timeframe, residents can report it to the City for follow-up.
Community members can support winter safety by:
Community participation plays a vital role in keeping Kalamazoo accessible and connected throughout the winter.