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Snow Removal

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During winter weather, homeowners and business owners should clear the sidewalk, and handicapped parking space(s) on your property to make it safe for our citizens, and to avoid being fined.

All Property Owners

The City prohibits depositing snow on public right-of- way, including streets, sidewalks, aprons and other paved areas.

Don’t: Plow or remove accumulated snow from a private parking lot or drive and deposit onto a City street or public right-of- way (negligible amounts of snow are allowed)

Don’t: Shovel/plow snow in streets to an extent that they are unsafe to drive or not passable by pedestrians

Don’t: Obstruct, harass, prevent or interfere with City workers providing snow removal services or with snow removal equipment

Don’t: Plow or pile snow onto any portion of a marked handicapped parking space on public or private property.

Do: If possible, place snow on area between sidewalk and curb, or yard/open space on your property (away from the street).

Penalties: Violators can face fines up to $750 for each offense. The penalty provision of this section shall be automatically applicable to and included in any ordinance that amends, corrects or adds to any title, chapter or section of this code 1

Commercial Property Owners or Managers

Every owner, lessee, tenant or occupant of any commercial property in the City that abuts any public right-of-way must:

Remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting your property and make attempts to provide clear a path the full width of the sidewalk. It must be at least 36 inches wide to allow for pedestrian and wheelchair passage.

Remove snow 2+ more inches as soon as practicable, and no later than 24 hours after the weather event ends.

If snow or ice on the sidewalk is frozen and cannot be removed without damage to the pavement, then, within 24 hours after the weather event ends, take measures to mitigate hazards by using sand, abrasive material or other products. As soon as the weather permits, thoroughly clear and clean the sidewalk.

Penalties: Fines range from $250 - $750 and violators face risk of paying the City the full cost to remove the snow plus a 25% administrative fee. Failure to pay fees can result in a lien against the property and other punitive damages necessary to collect fees. The City can issue citations for violations to the owner of the property involved, to the industry or firm which acts as an agent for any such owner, and to a lessee, tenant or occupant of any commercial property involved.

City of Des Plaines Snow Removal Priorities

The City of Des Plaines’ Public Works crew is responsible for clearing approximately 140 lane miles of roadways during and after winter weather events. Getting residents and visitors where they’re going safely and efficiently is our goal.

Cook County, the State of Illinois and other municipalities and utilities are also responsible for maintaining streets that our residents use -- view details and contacts.

The City prioritizes snow removal according to five categories:

Emergency Response Public Facilities refers to City Hall, Police and Fire facilities
Primary Routes refers to collector roads, school roads and bus routes
Secondary Routes refers to local roads not considered as primary routes
City-Owned Public Parking Facilities located in Des Plaines
Cul-de-sacs, Alleys and Courts that do not serve as residential or commercial
collectors/arterials

What can residents do to help clear the snow?

Make Way for the Plows

Please place shoveled snow on the parkway (not in the street). For snowfall over two inches, do not park on snow routes until snow removal is complete.

Clear Three Feet Around Fire Hydrants

Please remember to help our Des Plaines firefighters by clearing the area three feet around any fire hydrants on your property.

Avoid the “Second Shovel”

The snow cleared from the street has to go somewhere – and if you don’t clear the spot to the left of your driveway, it could land across your driveway entrance, leaving you stuck with the “second shovel.” When you’re shoveling your driveway, clear an area to the left of your driveway (“upstream” in the traffic flow) for the plowed snow to land. This can help avoid additional shoveling at your driveway entrance after the plow passes.

Second Shovel Illustrations_with captions

Des Plaines, IL

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