Snow Removal

Prepping for Snow: Reminders as Winter Weather Season Approaches 

The City of Frederick’s beauty seems to be magnified during the winter months. Snow-covered mountain landscapes, ice-covered Carroll Creek, and Culler Lake – it’s a sight so often seen from late fall to early spring. Before the first snow arrives in Frederick, The City of Frederick reminds residents to take necessary precautions, review property owner responsibilities and connect with the City to stay in the know.   

HOW CITY DECLARED SNOW EMERGENCIES WORK  

  • Snow Emergencies are declared by the Mayor after receiving information and guidance from a team of City employees focused on snow response and City safety.   
  • There must be two hours' notice to the public prior to the beginning of the Snow Emergency. A City Snow Emergency will be announced via The City of Frederick website, social media pages, and by the local media.   
  • Residents, visitors, and businesses must move vehicles off designated Snow Emergency Routes, within the two-hour period prior to the beginning of the Snow Emergency. By clearing the Snow Emergency Routes of parked vehicles, there is more room for City plows to push snow and keep the major roadways open for emergency vehicles. Failure to move vehicles within the designated timeframe will result in towing at the owners’ expense.   
  • Snow Emergency Routes are marked with City signs. A comprehensive list of City Snow Emergency Routes can be found here. 
  • The City’s priority during a snow event is to ensure the clearing and maintenance of all Snow Emergency Routes.  These routes will be cleared first and continually maintained until snowfall slows. Secondary and neighborhood roads will be addressed at that time. The City has over 330 miles of travel lines to be cleared. The City thanks you for your patience in advance.    

REMAIN INFORMED  

To be alerted and remain informed during winter months, the City encourages the following:   

  • Sign up through the Frederick County Emergency Notification system: FrederickCountyMD.gov/ALERT.   o Use the City's iSpires phone app or go to frederickmd.gov/snowapp to see what streets have been plowed/cleared. You may also call 301-600-SNOW.   o Follow the City’s social media channels (especially Facebook, Twitter, and NextDoor)  
  • For major road conditions, call 511, monitor your local media outlets, or go to roads.maryland.gov.  

PRIVATE PROPERTY REMINDERS  

  • Snowplows will come through each street multiple times; it is advised that residents wait until the snowfall ends and streets have been plowed before clearing driveway openings and curb cuts. Please do no blow, push, or shovel snow into the street.  
  • DPW encourages all who can to park in driveways. This allows for quicker cleaning of the streets and curbs. Note: in the case of extremely heavy snowfalls, private driveways may be plowed in.  Vehicles that remain on the street will have large amounts of snow piled around them.    
  • Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks around their property within 12 hours after snow stops falling. A person owning or occupying a lot or part of a lot abutting a City sidewalk must remove the snow and ice and clear a path 4 feet 
  • wide or the entire width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.  If a property owner fails to comply, a fine not exceeding $100 may be issued and the snow removed by the city with the resultant costs assessed to the property owner.   
  • Snow and ice shall not be plowed, shoveled, or otherwise moved into a public street or sidewalk by any person, contractor, or property owner.  
  1. Persons found to be depositing snow and ice into public streets and sidewalks and the property owner from which the snow and ice originated will be held liable for costs incurred to remove the snow and ice, any damage to City property resulting from the violation, and a fine not exceeding $500 may be issued.  
  • Be aware and alert for possible downed trees and power lines due to the heavy snow. Do not attempt to cross over or under downed lines.   
  1. Report downed and low hanging power lines by calling 1-800-686-0011     
  2. Report downed trees or other NON-EMERGENCIES by calling 301-600-1440  

SAFE RESPONSE TIPS  

  • Please shovel safely by keeping up with the storm, bending low at the knees, pushing snow instead of lifting when you can, wearing breathable layers and good footwear, and staying hydrated.  
  • If possible, please clear a three-foot area around nearby fire hydrants.  
  • If you need to use a generator throughout the storm at any time, please use with caution. Keep the generator dry and under an open-canopy-like structure. Do not use in a partially or fully enclosed area. Place carbon monoxide detectors to help detect any CO that could make its way indoors. 
  • It is advised that shoveled snow be placed on grassed or landscaped areas if feasible.  
  • If used, follow all instructions on de-icing product packaging. Apply light, even coats of salt or ice melt, re-applying as needed. Excess de-icer should be swept up after the snow event has passed. 
View All