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Snow and Ice Removal Policies

This page provides a brief overview of snow and ice removal policies and procedures for cities, towns, and counties in Washington State, including examples of emergency parking restrictions and sidewalk clearance requirements.

Removing Snow and Ice from Streets

Cities and counties often prioritize their road networks for snow and ice removal, focusing first on high-volume arterials. Less-traveled roads receive a lower priority and, especially in low-density residential areas, some roads may not be plowed at all.

RCW 47.24.020(6) requires cities and towns to clear snow from state highways within city limits, except that the state shall plow those roads “when necessary.” The 2013 City Streets as Part of State Highways Conformed Agreement clarifies the meaning of “when necessary,” establishing that the state will plow snow, with city concurrence, on the traveled lane of a state highway on the way through cities without adequate snowplowing equipment. (See Section D - Snow and Ice Removal.)

Several Washington-based court decisions have established that a public agency cannot be held liable for damage or injuries caused by snow and ice if it has not had a reasonable opportunity to clear the streets. See Leroy v. State (2004), Wright v. Kennewick (1962), and Bird v. Walton (1993).

Practice Tip: Some anti-icing and de-icing products may have negative impacts on the surrounding environment, particularly through stormwater pollution. For more information, see:

City/Town Examples

County Examples

  • Chelan County Snow Removal Policies — Prioritizes school bus routes and major arterials and offers advice to residents on what to expect when the county plows main routes. Snow Removal Operations discusses de-icing strategies used by the county.
  • King County Code Ch. 14.48 — Requires county to identify and clear snow emergency routes and alert the public in event of a snow emergency. See county’s Snow and Ice page for an explanation of property tax shortfalls that have forced a significant reduction in the number of snow routes.
  • Mason County Resolution 55-13 (2013) — Establishes snow and ice control as the highest public works priority during winter months, listing types and priority of roadway treatment.
  • Pierce County Snow and Ice (2011) — Provides an overview of snow and ice removal policies and includes links to the county's most recent emergency snow and ice plan, primary routes, and more. 

Emergency Declarations

  • Lacey Resolution No. 981 (2012) — Declares a snow and ice emergency; resolution self-terminates after 30 days unless terminated earlier or extended by council.
  • Snoqualmie Proclamation of Emergency Due to Winter Storm (2022) — Mayor’s emergency proclamation authorizes city administrators/departments to exercise emergency powers due to heavy snowfall, ice, and potential flooding. Includes city council resolution ratifying proclamation as well as subsequent mayoral proclamation terminating the emergency.
  • West Richland Resolution No. 9-19 (2019) — Includes mayor's declaration of emergency due to heavy blowing snow and impassable roads, as well as city council's subsequent ratification of the proclamation.
  • Whatcom County Proclamation of Emergency and Request for Assistance (2017) — County executive's emergency declaration due to winter storms and heavy snow, requesting state assistance.
  • Yakima Resolution No. R-2022-009 (2022) —Includes mayor's proclamation of civil emergency due to snow, ice, and severe winter weather, as well as city council's subsequent ratification of the proclamation.

Parking Restrictions to Facilitate Snow Removal

Municipalities in Washington have adopted a variety of parking restrictions to help facilitate the snow and ice removal process, including temporary parking prohibitions. Some of these laws take effect upon a certain level of snow accumulation, while others only take effect if the jurisdiction has declared a snow emergency.

These provisions typically allow local law enforcement to tow noncompliant vehicles and issue citations.

Examples

  • Cheney Municipal Code Sec. 11.48.070 and Sec. 11.48.080 — Prohibits vehicles from parking or standing on any street or city right-of-way between midnight and 6 AM (3—6 AM in central business district) if two or more inches of snow have accumulated. Vehicles may be impounded.
  • East Wenatchee Municipal Code Sec. 10.08.030 — Requires vehicles be parked on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days and the odd-numbered side on odd-numbered days, to facilitate snow removal during the months of December, January, and February.
  • Moses Lake Municipal Code Ch. 10.14 — Allows municipal services director to prohibit parking on parts of or all streets as necessary whenever snowplowing is necessary or anticipated based on weather forecasts. City may remove and/or ticket vehicles.
  • Puyallup Municipal Code Sec. 11.08.100 — Provides authority to remove vehicles for emergency snow removal, without prior notice to owner.
  • Walla Walla Municipal Code Ch. 10.23 — Allows public works director to prohibit parking on parts of or all streets as necessary. Prohibits drivers from abandoning stalled or stranded vehicles and authorizes removal of such vehicles.
  • Wenatchee City Code Sec. 6B.06.130 — Requires vehicles be parked on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days and the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days when snow is present on the roadway. Fines are established by Sec. 6B.08.010, but vehicle removal is not specifically authorized.
  • Yakima Municipal Code Sec. 8.88.060 — Prohibits parking on designated snow routes during snow alerts.

Removing Snow from Sidewalks

Many jurisdictions assign responsibility for sidewalk maintenance — including snow and ice removal — to the owner or occupant of the abutting property. However, the specifics can vary significantly.

Some jurisdictions require snow and ice to be removed by a certain time - either a set time of day (typically no later than noon), a certain number of hours after the snow has stopped falling, or a combination of the two. Others use more vague language, requiring removal as soon as practical.

Some ordinances clearly prohibit property owners/occupants from dumping snow and ice onto public rights-of-way or anywhere that would obstruct fire hydrants or traffic signs. One of the examples below (Wilbur) declares snow, slush, or ice on sidewalks to be a nuisance, while another (Cheney) exempts snow blowers from the city’s normal noise nuisance ordinances.

Practice Tip: Shoveling snow is a physically strenuous task. The combination of the physical strain and cold temperatures can increase the risk of heart attacks, particularly in older individuals, not to mention the risk of injury from slips and falls. Elderly residents or people with disabilities may be physically unable to shovel snow, in which case some jurisdictions maintain lists of volunteers who can assist them.

For example, see Walla Walla’s snow removal assistance information on its Snow and Ice Control webpage.

Examples

Recommended Resources


Last Modified: August 13, 2024