Winter Street Policies

Are there special parking restrictions during the winter? Why?

Rexburg City Ordinance #1030 Prohibits overnight parking on ALL streets and alleys within the city limits from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. from December 15th to March 1st. This applies to all vehicles and personal property, including campers, trailers, and other recreational vehicles.

This restriction is in place to help keep the streets clear of parked vehicles when the street crews are plowing the streets, which improves efficiency and safety. Residents who fail to remove their vehicles from the street during these hours are subject to a fine.

What does the City do to prepare for winter storms?

During the winter, the Street Department constantly monitors weather forecasts from multiple sources to try to predict when storms will arrive and how big the storms will be. When snowfall is forecasted, the Street Department sprays a brine (salt) solution on all major roads in the city before the storm is forecasted to arrive. This includes some downtown roads, in the business district, areas where traffic stops, steep hills, around schools, and city parking lots. The brine is designed to assist in melting the snow and ice before it is able to freeze to the road. The brine works most effectively when the streets are not already ice-covered and when temperatures are above 20°F.

When does the City plow streets?

The Street Department monitors the snow accumulation during storms to estimate if and when plowing will be required. Once there is an accumulation of approximately 2” of snow, whether from one large storm or several small storms, City crews plow all city streets. Plowing does not normally start until late in the evening or very early in the morning. This is so the street crews can plow snow more efficiently with less traffic and fewer cars parked on the streets. Plowing during the daytime hours becomes hazardous to drivers due to the low speeds (14 mph) of the snowplows as well as piles of snow that are pushed into intersections. Working during the night makes it possible for the snow removal equipment to back up to clean intersections. Crews will plow all night and late into the morning until all streets are completed. Sometimes, plowing will be done during the daytime if large amounts of snow have fallen or the roads are deemed hazardous to vehicles. At times, the higher elevations in Rexburg will get more snow and need plowing while lower elevations may not.

Does the City sand and salt streets?

The City lays a sand and salt mixture at intersections where traffic is directed to stop. This includes intersections with stop signs, signal lights, pedestrian cross lights, school areas, and hospital emergency entrances. The mixture we use improves traction and helps melt the ice.

Full streets are not sanded, though some spot-sanding will be laid on curves and slopes, particularly if they are known to be troublesome.

From November through March, there are two street department employees on call 24/7. These employees are called out at the request of the Rexburg Police Department and other City officials to sand problem areas, repair signs, and other varied tasks. Citizens can contact City Hall during business hours or go to www.rexburg.org to report problem areas and the Street Department will be notified and respond as soon as possible.

Why doesn’t the City plow after every snowfall?

A storm that brings 2 or more inches of snow costs the City over $25,000 to plow all the city streets just for that snow event! Because snow removal, street cleanup, and street repairs all come from the same budget, the money spent on snow removal draws funds from street repairs and maintenance during the spring and summer.

Where I come from the streets are melted off soon after the storm. Why doesn’t that happen here?

This chart shows the average high temperatures recorded in Rexburg compared with several other locations. How quickly the snow melts off the streets is directly connected to the temperature of the road getting above freezing (32°F). As you can see in this graphic, Rexburg typically stays colder than many of these other locations, keeping the snow on our roads for longer periods.

*Data from Western Regional Climate Center

Who's responsibility is it to clear the sidewalk of snow and ice?

The property owner is responsible for keeping the sidewalk clear of snow and ice in front of their property. The City only plows the sidewalks in a limited area of downtown, at City-owned properties, and on pathways. Sidewalks and pathways that are cleared by the City are generally plowed once there is 1” or more of snow accumulation. Crews usually take care of this snow early in the morning as the task is made difficult later in the day by vehicles that may be parked on or near the curbs.

Additionally, property owners (or their designees) are responsible for keeping snow cleared from hydrants located on their property. Hydrants require 3' of clearance around the utility so fire department crews can access it in the event of a fire. Clearing snow from the hydrant is not only the law, but it also saves crews valuable time during an incident.

Why does the snowplow push snow onto my sidewalk and into my driveway?

Snow from the streets is pushed as close to the curb as possible to keep the roads clear for safe traveling as well as parking. The crew does their best to keep the snow off of sidewalks. In areas where the sidewalks are against the curb, it makes it difficult not to push the snow onto the sidewalk. Some snow from the major streets in the City is hauled off to assist in the buildup along curbs and sidewalks. (see map)

Where can I put the snow from my sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot?

It is illegal to push or throw snow from a driveway, parking lot, or sidewalk into or across the City street. Snow must be stored outside of the City street. If you don’t have sufficient space on your property for snow storage, there are many local contractors that you can hire to haul away the snow.

How do I prevent accidents during the winter?

The best way to avoid winter accidents is to slow down and maintain plenty of distance from the vehicle in front of you. Plan to give yourself extra time to get where you are going and please be patient and courteous with fellow drivers.