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Snow Removal

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Snow Removal Provisions

The following are snow removal provisions contained in Chapter 66 Section 166-167 of the Code of Ordinance:
  • Snow and ice must be removed from all sidewalks.
  • When it stops snowing during daylight hours, snow and ice must be removed within 12 hours.
  • When it stops snowing during night time, snow and ice must be removed by 6:00 p.m. the next day.
  • It is considered a public nuisance to allow ice and snow to accumulate on sidewalks.
  • Failure to remove snow and/or ice from all sidewalks within the time frames above may result in citations  being issued or City removal at the homeowner’s expense.
About Snow Emergencies

What is a snow emergency?
A snow emergency is called when four or more inches of snow falls or other hazardous conditions necessitate.  No parking is permitted on City streets during snow emergencies until the Snow Emergency is lifted.

What should you do during a snow emergency?
When a snow emergency has been declared, all vehicles must be removed from curbside and parked off street. Parking on city streets is prohibited until the snow emergency has been lifted by the City Manager.  For designated snow emergency parking, visit http://bitly.com/SnowEmergencyMap.

How can I know when a snow emergency has been declared?
When a snow emergency is called or called off,  local television stations (ABC, NBC, Fox2Detroit, and CBS) and radio stations (WWJ and WJR). The City also announces snow emergencies on their website’s home page, social media (Facebook and Twitter), Comcast OPTV16, and Community eBlasts (email). To enroll in Community eBlasts, visit http://bit.ly/OPEmergencyNotifications or email ContactUs@OakParkMI.gov. 

For more information, contact: Department of Public Works · (248) 691-7497.
When is a Snow Emergency Declared?

A snow emergency is declared to help facilitate efficient and safe snow removal

When a significant snow event is anticipated, the City Manager decides on proactive and reactive strategies that are appropriate to the situation.

A snow emergency is called when four or more inches of snow falls or other hazardous conditions necessitate. 

During snow emergencies the DPW prioritizes the roadways. In general, the City crews treat and plow roadways in the following order:

  • Primary Roadways - Primary routes are the first priority for plowing and de-icing. Primary routes include major streets, snow emergency routes, around schools and medical facilities. These roadways include the I-696 service drives, Greenfield, Coolidge, 11 Mile Road, and Nine Mile Road.
  • Secondary Roadways - Secondary routes are main and heavily traveled thoroughfares. These include streets like Oak Park Boulevard, Scotia, Rosewood, Church, Capital, Lincoln, and Northfield.
  • Residential Intersections - Tertiary priority is made to residential intersections so that vehicles can properly stop and proceed safely at intersection roadways. Residential roadways are plowed when appropriate, typically when four or more inches of snow is present or other circumstances necessitate.

During snow emergencies, the Public Works Department is in communication with the Department of Public Safety to address and respond to emergent and unsafe roadway conditions.

How is a Snow Emergency Declared?

Snow Emergencies are Declared on Multiple Sources.

Local Television Stations
(Please note, although we report snow emergencies to the television station, it is the television's station's perogative on whether or not, and when they post a City's announcement.)
    · ABC
    · CBS
    · FOX2DETROIT
    · NBC

Radio Stations
(Please note, although we report snow emergencies to the radio station, it is the television's station's perogative on whether or not, and when they post a City's announcement.)
    · WWJ
    · WJR

Cable TV
    · Comcast OPTV15 

Community eBlasts
    · Sign Up Today!  Visit, http://bit.ly/OPEmergencyNotifications. 

City of Oak Park Website
    · http://oakparkmi.gov

Social Media
    · Facebook and Twitter @CityofOakPark

Text Message Notification
    · Sign Up Today!  Visit, http://bit.ly/OPEmergencyNotifications. 

Robo Call Notification
    · Sign Up Today!  Visit, http://bit.ly/OPEmergencyNotifications. 

Voicemail Notification
    · Sign Up Today!  Visit, http://bit.ly/OPEmergencyNotifications.