Snow emergency routes were created as part of the Snow Emergency Alert Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to expedite removal of all parked and stalled vehicles from City streets during periods of heavy snowfall when such vehicles impede snow removal operations and cause serious traffic congestion. Whenever snow has accumulated or there is a possibility of accumulation to such a depth that extraordinary snow removal operations will be required on City streets, the City Manager or his designee may declare a snow emergency alert. Until that alert is terminated it will be unlawful to park any motor vehicle on a street within the City.

After the initial declaration of a snow emergency alert is declared, any motor vehicle parked on City streets will be removed and impounded by order of the Police Department at owners expense as follows:

• Within 6 hours of declaration of snow emergency, all vehicles parked on streets designated and posted as emergency snow routes (see map) must be removed.

• 
   Within 24 hours of declaration of snow emergency, all vehicles parked on all other streets and alleys must be removed. The Department of Public Works will work to keep the public informed of street conditions during a snow emergency by use of local radio stations and the night message on the office answering machine. The number to call for status of emergency conditions is 788-4170.
  
  Special Medical Needs: Any resident with special medical needs, such as dialysis or reliance on an artificial breathing apparatus, should contact Public Works with your address to be placed on a list for special consideration during heavy snow falls, This will ensure preferential snow removal to allow emergency service vehicles to readily access your residence. Anyone with a condition other than those mentioned that they feel is life threatening should also contact the office for consideration to be added to the list. Medical conditions other than dialysis or artificial breathing reliance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Sidewalk Ordinance Changes

Snow accumulations of 4 inches or greater and any ice accumulations on walkways are considered a threat to public safety.  Jackson City Code 23-107 requires such walkways to be cleared by property owners, to a minimum width of 36", within 24 hours after a winter storm event has ended.

The revised ordinance authorizes the City to remove such snow and ice accumulations constituting a threat to public safety at the property owners expense.