Preparing for cold weather and coping with winter is always a challenge but here's the information you need to know.
City of Newton Snow Ordinance
The City of Newton's Snow Ordinance states that there is no street parking at 2 inches of accumulation. You can find out if the City of Newton Snow Ordinance is in effect by calling 641-791-SNOW (7669) or visiting the City's website. Snow ordinance violation tickets, which are issued by the Newton Police Department, are $35.
Snow Removal Practice & Goals
City snow removal crews begin snow plowing operations when accumulation reaches 2 inches. Plowing operations may begin after about an inch of accumulation for snow events during normal working hours. The City's goal is to maintain city streets to acceptable winter driving conditions.
Snow Removal Parking Restrictions
On street parking, except in the Downtown Snow Removal District, is prohibited when snow plowing operations are declared. Ticketing of vehicles parked on city streets, except in the Downtown Snow Removal District, will begin when snow plowing operations are declared.
Parking is prohibited in the Downtown Snow Removal District when hauling operations are declared and the downtown snow removal district line (641) 792-0411 has been activated.
For downtown residents, parking in a city owned parking lot during snow removal operations is permissible. City crews can work around the vehicles in the parking lots easier than on the city streets.
Clean Up Operations after a Storm
The following tasks, listed in order of importance, are performed after a storm.
- Hauling snow from the Downtown Snow Removal District
- Hauling and pushing snow from the shoulders on rural sections of roads, from parking lots, cul-de-sacs, and dead ends
- Snow cleanup from bridges and intersections
- Pushing back drifted areas and making room for additional snow accumulation
- Replenishing material supplies and maintenance/repair to snow removal equipment
- Repairing damage to infrastructure signs, potholes, mailboxes and sod repair.
Private Property Snow Removal
If you own property in Newton, you are required by law to remove snow and ice from the public sidewalks abutting your property within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling or other freezing precipitation has ended.
If you fail to do so, you may be subject to a nuisance violation, and charges for the snow removal may be levied against your property if the work is not completed as spelled out in the notice of violation.
When removing ice or snow from your property, it is illegal to throw, push or place snow from private property, sidewalks or driveways onto or across public streets or into gutters. Doing so could cause even more hazardous conditions.
The only exception to this is for property owners in the downtown business district, who can deposit snow from their sidewalks into the street or adjacent to the curb as long as it is done prior to Public Works snow hauling and removal operations.
