While three inches is the threshold for considering a snow emergency, other factors are taken into consideration in deciding to declare a snow emergency, including timing of the storm, overall weather conditions, predicted snowfall and when crews can begin plowing.

Snow emergencies also may be declared in advance of approaching storms. Timing, duration, intensity and estimated snow amount are factors in determining if a snow emergency is warranted ahead of the storm.

During a snow emergency, on-street parking is prohibited. Any vehicle parked on an unplowed street during a snow emergency may be ticketed and towed. Vehicles should remain off the street until the snow emergency has ended; the city sends notification when the snow emergency is officially ended. Sign up for these notifications using the methods below.

There are some areas within the city where on-street parking is allowed during a snow emergency. View the winter parking exemption page to learn more. Winter parking permits for on-street parking are also granted under special circumstances.

Note: City ordinance does not allow parking on any city street for more than 48 hours, including winter exemption areas. If your vehicle sits, unmoved, for more than 48 hours it may be ticketed and/or towed.

How will I know if a snow emergency is in effect?

During a snow emergency, whether day or night, vehicles must be moved off the street. The city provides the following notifications so that you can be aware when the city is in a snow emergency.

• Sign up for telephone, text and/or email alerts through ParkAlert, the city's citizen notification system. 
• Sign up for email and text notifications through GovDelivery
• Download the myStLouisPark app for Apple or Android. If the user allows it, the app will display an alert when a snow emergency is in effect.
• Follow the city’s social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor.
• Call 952.230.0743 for updates
• Watch ParkTV or the local television news stations (Channel 4, 5, 9, 11).

Guidelines

1. While three inches is the threshold for considering a snow emergency, other factors are taken into consideration in deciding to declare a snow emergency, including timing of the storm, overall weather conditions, predicted snowfall and when crews can begin plowing. 
2. Snow emergencies also may be declared in advance of approaching storms. Timing, duration, intensity and estimated snow amount are factors in determining if a snow emergency is warranted ahead of the storm.
3. During a snow emergency, whether day or night, vehicles must be moved off the street. Vehicles parked on a street during a snow emergency may be ticketed. If your vehicle remains on the street 12 hours after it’s ticketed, it will be towed.
4. Vehicles should remain off the street until the snow emergency has ended; the city provides notification when the snow emergency is officially ended. 
5. The city will provide the same high-quality service following the same pattern it has in the past — plowing main roads and then neighborhoods.

Plowing operations begin between midnight and 5 a.m., depending on the amount of snow expected and the duration and intensity of the storm. High-volume streets are plowed first due to traffic volume and access for emergency vehicles. All remaining residential streets and cul-de-sacs are plowed second. In an average snowfall, the goal of city crews is to clear high-volume streets by the morning commute, and residential streets and cul-de-sacs by noon. View the snow plow routes map to see which streets are main plow routes and which are residential.

Crews will continue cleanup on the second day where vehicles have moved, drifting has occurred and widening of the streets is necessary. Heavier snowfalls may require multiple day efforts for the initial plow and cleanup efforts.

There are some areas within the city where on-street parking is allowed during a snow emergency. View the winter parking exemption page to learn more.

Winter parking permits for on-street parking are also granted under special circumstances.

Note: City ordinance does not allow parking on any city street for more than 48 hours, including winter exemption areas. If your vehicle sits, unmoved, for more than 48 hours it may be ticketed and/or towed.

Trails

There are approximately 37 miles of trails within the city. The city plows roughly 30 miles of trails, including eight miles of regional trails and 23 miles of park trails. The majority of the remaining six miles of trails that are not maintained are within the Westwood Hills Nature Center.

Snow removal status for North Cedar Lake Regional Trail

New in 2021, the city is providing an online map showing the status of snow removal on the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail. This pilot project is designed to help regular trail users make decisions about the availability of the trail for bicycling and walking following a significant snowfall. The short link bit.ly/trailplowing may also be used to find the map.

The map uses automatic vehicle locator (AVL) data from city snow removal vehicles to show where those vehicles have traveled on the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail for snow removal. Keep in mind, the current condition of the trail will depend on snowfall amounts, timing and duration of the snowfall. While the map may show the trail has been plowed, subsequent snowfall may result in different real-time conditions.

This is a pilot project to help determine the capabilities and usefulness of providing this information to residents. It is currently only available for the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail. The results of this pilot project will help determine if it might be expanded to other trails or areas of the city. If you use this map, we want to hear from you! Email gis@stlouisparkmn.gov with your feedback.

Sidewalks

Sidewalk snow removal efforts begin after 1 inch of snow accumulation. After heavier storms, multiple snow removal efforts may be required, which may require an additional day.

There are 116 miles of sidewalks within the city, which are broken into two classifications — community or neighborhood. The city maintains over 52 miles of community sidewalks.

It is the responsibility of the resident and/or property owner to remove all accumulated snow from the remaining 64 miles of neighborhood sidewalks. According to St. Louis Park Municipal Code Section 24-342 (b1), the owner or occupant of any property abutting a public sidewalk shall remove and clear away all snow from the sidewalk:

• For commercial properties: within four business hours after snow has stopped falling or by the beginning of the next business day, whichever period is shorter.
• For residential properties: within six hours of daylight remaining after the snow has stopped falling or by noon the following day, whichever period is longer.

This includes any snow plowed from public streets onto the sidewalk. The city depends on and requires its residents and property owners to be aware of and responsive to the need to remove snow from neighborhood sidewalks in front of their property, including walks and ramps leading to a crosswalk.

Sidewalk and trail snow removal map

Alleys

Alley snow removal efforts begin after 1 inch of snow accumulation. After heavier storms, multiple snow removal efforts may be required due to the volume of snow and limited areas for the snow to go. Please refrain from pushing/blowing snow back into the alley. This is against city ordinance and can cause driving issues for others using the alley.

The city’s snow removal/ice control policy provides direction for snow/ice removal activities and establishes priorities for how this is accomplished. Learn more about the city's snow and ice removal practices and strategies.

The city has not established a "bare pavement" or ice-free (safety) requirement. The city uses an industry-proven salting strategy that balances financial and environmental responsibility to achieve safe driving surfaces for the public. Learn more about the city's salting strategies.

Snow removal from streets, alleys and sidewalk may cause property damage even under the best circumstances and care on the part of the operators. The city accepts responsibility and will replace or repair mailboxes if the damage was done from physically being struck by the plow blade, wing or other piece of equipment. Mailboxes should be constructed sturdy enough to withstand snow rolling off a plow or wing. Therefore, damage to mailboxes resulting from the weight of the snow is the responsibility of the homeowner. The concept applies for damages to fences, trees or other structures. Grass areas on the public right of way that was scraped or gouged by city equipment will be repaired by a top dressing of black dirt and grass seed once the weather allow for repairs, usually late April. Residents are responsible for watering, if necessary, the areas that have been repaired.

You can report any plow damage to your yard by contacting the public works department. Staff will evaluate the damage and make necessary repairs.