Community Corner

Need to Know: City Snow Removal for Winter Storms

Street parking is illegal once snow accumulation reaches 4 inches.

With up to 3 inches recorded by 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the snow continues to fall on Birmingham. The National Weather Service predicts up to 5 inches of snow throughout the day, plus 1 to 3 inches accumulating Sunday night — just in time for the Monday morning commute.

Birmingham residents need to know: What's going to happen to their roads?

Parking

Birmingham prohibits parking on any street whenever snow accumulation exceeds 4 inches and/or the assistant director of public serices declares a snow emergency.

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Vehicles that are parked illegally will be ticketed and may be towed, though there are exceptions for residents who do not have a driveway. However, those who qualify for this exception must register with the  and display an identifying sticker in the rear driver's side window. They are encouraged to park their vehicles as close to the curb as possible.

Priority for salting and plowing

According to the city's website, the first priority is "aimed at reducing the accumulation of snow on the streets." The first areas to be salted and plowed are major, high-traffic roads and intersections as well as areas around public and private schools. Residential streets are salted and plowed next, depending on the amount of traffic.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Downtown snow removal

When snow accumulation downtown reaches 3 inches, snow is plowed to the center of the street, from where it is hauled away after the storm dies down and after the roads have been plowed and salted. The process usually takes place in the early morning.

Snow is also hauled away from Woodward Avenue between Oak Street and Lincoln Avenue.

Sidewalks

A city ordinance requires that homeowners clear snow and ice from any public sidewalk adjacent to their property. Snow must be cleared within 12 hours, or by 6 p.m. the following day if the snow fell overnight. Failure to clear sidewalks may result in a minumum fine of $100. Business owners also must clear the sidewalk from the building to the street.

Temperatures are expected to dip to 11 degrees Sunday night, with the wind chill factor making it feel like minus 7 degrees. Check area radio stations, public-access television stations (such as cable channel 15) or Birmingham Patch to learn whether a snow emergency is issued anytime during the next few days.


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