Snow Removal

It's important for everyone in our community get be able to get where they need to go, no matter how they're traveling or what time of year. This means that snow and ice need to be cleared from streets and sidewalks during the winter so everyone can stay connected and stay safe. City staff plow the streets and ordinance requires that property owners help by keeping their sidewalks clear. 

Snow Plowing

Our team prioritizes clearing major streets before moving on to locals, dead ends, alleys, and cul-de-sacs. Our goal is to have major streets clear within 24 hours and all streets clear within 48 hours of the end of snowfall. During severe winter storms, we may not be able to meet these goals and we ask for your patience in those cases. 

Vehicles parked on the street make it harder to clear the snow, so please help our team by following parking restrictions. As a reminder, City Ordinance restricts parking on City streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., unless otherwise posted.

Most streets in Kalamazoo County but outside of the city limits are plowed by the Kalamazoo County Road Commission. Highways and ramps are plowed by MDOT. Private streets are not plowed by the City of Kalamazoo.

While plowing is underway, driveways that have already been shoveled may become filled back in with snow. Shoveling the area along the roadway on the oncoming traffic side of your driveway will help avoid additional work after plows have gone through. If you can, help neighbors and relatives who may have difficulty removing snow in front of their properties.

Report Missed Snow Plowing

Clearing Sidewalks

Many of our neighbors depend on sidewalks to stay connected all year (yes, even in winter). Accumulated snow and ice can make it unsafe or even impossible for people to use sidewalks, especially our older neighbors or people with disabilities. City ordinance requires that all property owners clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours of accumulation on the sidewalk (City ordinance 33-18). You can also help by clearing areas near fire hydrants in case Public Safety needs to respond to a fire. The City is working to improve sidewalk mobility in winter, and we know conditions can be improved. Do your part to keep our sidewalks usable for everyone!

Report Uncleared Sidewalks

How Can We Do Better? 

In 2022 the City had discussions with residents, neighborhoods, organizations, and City staff in different departments to understand how we can increase the number of sidewalks clear of snow and ice in the winter. From these discussions, the City heard work was needed to: 1) make the ordinance more clear and enforceable; 2) increase the public’s knowledge of the Ordinance; and 3) improve consistency of clearing sidewalks by property owners and the City.

What's New This Winter?

• Pilot Sidewalk Clearing Project: The City will take on the responsibility for clearing approximately 14 miles of sidewalk on key corridors. High pedestrian traffic and transit routes will be prioritized for this pilot project.
• City’s Sidewalks: The City is currently responsible for about 19 miles of sidewalk. We recognize that we have not always been consistent in clearing our sidewalks. We pledge to do better and have reviewed and updated our process and capacity internally to do so.
• Ordinance Updates: The responsibility for clearing sidewalks remains with the property owner. The changes proposed aim to improve the City’s ability to enforce the Ordinance requirements, resulting in more clear and passable sidewalks in the winter. The City Commission starts reviewing the proposed changes at their August 12 meeting.
• Improved Communication: City staff will increase the information shared on the requirement to maintain clear and passable sidewalks. City staff will be reaching out through the City’s Newsletter, Neighborhood leaders, landlords, and partner organizations.