Plowing & Shoveling Policies
Snow Plowing on City Streets
Once roughly 2 inches of snow has fallen city snow plowing begins on primary snow emergency routes. After the main arteries in the city have been cleared, plowing begins in residential areas. Downtown snow removal, which involves clearing parking lanes and hauling snow out of the downtown, generally occurs between one and three days after a snow event.
Maintaining the plow schedule is top priority of the Public Services Department during winter months. Residents are asked to adhere to the posted no parking signs and the winter parking rules so snow removal activities can take place.
Mn/DOT is responsible for plowing state highways 3, 19, and 246 while the counties are responsible for the county roads. City plows may operate on some of these roads while traveling from one part of the city to another.
City Trail Clearing
Several City of Northfield trails are cleared and cleaned of snow on a regular basis to ensure safe passages to and from neighborhood schools. Most sidewalks adjacent to city parks or facilities are also cleared by the city.
Shoveling and Clearing Private Sidewalks
By city ordinance (Ch. 70 Article I, §70-2) property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property within 12 hours after snow or ice precipitation has stopped. If snow and ice are not removed, it may be removed by authorized city personnel, and the costs for snow removal will be assessed against the property. Residents may report uncleared sidewalks to the Public Works office (contact information listed on the right side of this page).
Tips for reducing snow deposited in driveway by plows (Mn/DOT)
Minnesota Statutes prohibit depositing snow from private property onto a street or municipally owned parking area (See below).
Dumping or Leaving Snow in Public Roadways NOT ALLOWED
The Rice County Highway Department and City of Northfield reminds all residents and snow removal operators that it is unlawful, under Minnesota Statute 160.2715, to deposit snow onto public roadways. This includes snow left on the roadway as a plow or snowblower enters or leaves a driveway.
Piles of snow deposited onto public roadways may re-freeze and create a significant hazard to the travelling public and future snow removal operations.
Other hazards created by improper placement of snow on or near a public roadway include drainage problems, drifting, sight obstruction and impaired safe accessibility.
Violations are considered a misdemeanor, and civil penalties also may apply if the placement of snow creates a hazard that contributes to a motor vehicle crash and or pedestrian injury. The civil liability can extend to both the property owner and the person who places the snow.
Contacts:
City Streets, (507) 645-3045
County Engineer, (507) 332-6110
County Administrator, (507) 332-6121