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Winter Weather Response
The City provides snow and ice control as efficiently and quickly as possible with the resources available. During a storm, the City’s equipment operators work around the clock on alternating 12-hour shifts until all streets are plowed and safe for travel.
A partnership between residents and the City is crucial in safe and prompt winter weather response. Information and tips for residents can be found in the Winter Reminders Flyer.
General Snow/Ice Control Policies
Snow and ice control is emergency work and is accomplished as efficiently and quickly as possible with the resources available to the City. A combination of many factors interact to make each snowfall and the effects of each such snowfall unique. Consequently, the snow and ice control plan for the City must be flexible enough to cope with and respond to varying conditions during and after each winter storm.
Find detailed information on the City of Dubuque's city-wide snow/ice control policies.
Crews can do a better job of clearing snow when cars are not parked on the streets. If possible, the City asks that residents park their vehicles off the street during snow-plowing operations.
After significant snowfalls, the City's Odd Even Snow Route Parking Policy may be enacted. It allows crews to plow the streets more effectively, improve driving conditions, and provide better on-street parking. When in effect, parking is prohibited on “even-numbered” sides of streets on even days of the month and on “odd-numbered” sides of streets on odd days of the month.
Enforcement of the snow route parking policy will be announced at least six hours in advance on CityChannel Dubuque (channels 8 and 117.2 on the Mediacom cable system and ImOn channel 5), on the City's website, on the City of Dubuque Facebook page and Twitter account, and through local media. Notification is also provided directly via email and text through the City’s Notify Me system and through Alert Iowa. To receive a text notification when the policy is activated, simply text DBQsnow to 67283.
It is the responsibility of property owners to keep sidewalks clear of snow and/or ice immediately after a snowfall ends and no longer than 48 hours past the end of a snow event. The snow and ice must be removed at the full width of the sidewalk from edge to edge to provide safe and accessible passage for pedestrians as required by federal ADA guidelines.
If the snow and/or ice is not removed within 48 hours and a complaint is submitted, the City will notify the property owner with a door hanger and a letter. If necessary, a City contractor will remove the snow and the property owner will be responsible for the cost. Note, it is possible this may occur before the property owner receives the letter. A bill will be sent when the cost of the removal is determined. If the bill has not been paid at the end of the winter season, this cost will be assessed to the property and given to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes. Further violations may result in civil citations with penalties up to $750 plus court costs. Corner lots are required to clear the snow from the access ramps to allow unimpeded passage for pedestrian traffic.
The City’s snow-plowing equipment may leave a ridge of snow across driveways. It is up to the property owner to remove the ridge. It may take several passes of the plows to push back snow from the driving lanes. As a result, residents may need to clear their driveway approach more than once if they clear it before plows have finished their street.
When shoveling or snow blowing your driveway and sidewalk, please DO NOT shovel or blow snow into the street. Your cooperation reduces the time required to plow all streets, which in turn reduces overtime costs and your taxes. Blowing or shoveling snow into the streets is a violation of a City ordinance punishable by a fine of up to $750 plus court costs.
Are there special circumstances that prevent you from removing your snow?
Check out the City's Sidewalk Snow Removal Assistance Program or call 563.589.4159 for details on finding help with snow removal.
Primary/Secondary Snow Routes
During a winter storm, fifteen (15) City plow/spreader trucks are dispatched when necessary to plow and treat Dubuque’s streets. Each truck is assigned to one of fifteen (15) zones or routes into which the City is partitioned.
Each zone has three subcategories: Primary streets, secondary streets, and residential streets
If snowfall accumulations are in excess of six (6) inches, motor graders and plow-equipped wheel loaders may be dispatched to assist with plowing operations. Contingent upon pavement conditions at the time of deployment, these plows will be assigned to one of the heavy plow routes. The current budget provides that all improved streets are to be cleared for vehicular travel within forty-eight (48) hours of the conclusion of a winter storm.
All private snow removal companies operating within the City of Dubuque are required to follow specific laws and ordinances which address snow removal operations and the impact they have on public streets alleys and sidewalks. These laws and ordinances state:
- Use of flashing lights on a private company or contractor's vehicle while operating on public roadways is prohibited by state law (State of Iowa Code 321.423.) Private contractors should not be driving on streets, alleys, or highways with their flashing lights activated.
- Slow moving vehicles (skid loaders, wheeled loaders, back hoes, tractors, etc.) which travel less than 35 miles per hour must display a reflective slow moving vehicle symbol at all times while operating on public roadways. These vehicles must also have a working amber flashing light from sunset to sunrise, per State of Iowa Codes 321.383 and 321.423.
- ATVs and UTVs are prohibited from operation on all public streets within the City of Dubuque (City of Dubuque Ordinance 9-5-321.234A).
- Rear-facing white lights (work lights) on a private company or contractor's vehicle are prohibited by state law while operating on public roadways (State of Iowa Codes 321.393 and 321.408). They must be turned off while driving on public roadways and streets.
- Vehicles with loads or plows with a width greater than 8 feet, 6 inches are required to obtain an over-width permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation (State of Iowa Code 321.454).
- Depositing snow, ice, or accumulation from private property onto any public roadway, alley, or sidewalk is prohibited (City of Dubuque Ordinance 10-1-3). This means that plowing, blowing, shoveling, or moving snow from private property onto or across any public street, alley, or sidewalk is not allowed. This includes pushing snow across a public street, alley, or sidewalk to public or private property or raising a plow while leaving private property and leaving a trail of snow on the public street, alley, or sidewalk.
Inquiries regarding these laws and ordinances can be directed to Captain Steve Radloff of the Dubuque Police Department by emailing sradloff@cityofdubuque.org or calling 563.587.3807.