Snow Removal

The City of Johnston's snow ordinance is aimed at simplifying parking regulations during snow and/or ice removal operations. Removing vehicles from City streets will improve efficiency and safety for street crews and first responders. The City of Johnston may declare a snow ordinance based on several factors including snow, sleet, freezing rain and blowing snow.

Snow Emergency Parking Ban photo
  • No parking on a city street, alley or city-owned off-street parking once the snow emergency has been declared.
  • A snow emergency parking ban shall continue from its proclamation through 5:00 p.m. the following day. The parking ban may be extended using the same process to enact the original snow emergency if conditions require additional time to clear the snow and/or ice.
  • Vehicles parked on the street during a snow emergency will be ticketed $25 and may be towed.
  • When a snow emergency is put into effect, the declaration will be communicated, along with the start and stop times for the parking restrictions:
    • In a red bar at the top of the city website
    • Notification text and email alerts. Sign up by visiting “Notifications."
    • Via the City of Johnston Facebook and Twitter pages
    • Via local news and radio channels
    • Vehicles parked on the street during a snow emergency will be ticketed $25 and may be towed.
    • When a snow emergency is put into effect, the declaration will be communicated, along with the start and stop times for the parking restrictions.

Parking on Public Streets

 
Parking of vehicles on public streets when snow/ice removal operations are in progress is prohibited. The violation may result in a fine and the vehicle being impounded at the owner's expense. For more, please review city code 69.11. 
    • In a red bar at the top of the city website
    • Notification text and email alerts. Sign up by visiting “Notify Me."
    • Via the City of Johnston Facebook and Twitter pages
    • Via local news and radio channels
  • Vehicles parked on the street during a snow emergency will be ticketed $25 and may be towed.
  • When a snow emergency is put into effect, the declaration will be communicated, along with the start and stop times for the parking restrictions:
    • In a red bar at the top of the city website
    • Notification text and email alerts. Sign up by visiting “Notify Me."
    • Via the City of Johnston Facebook and Twitter pages
    • Via local news and radio channels

Click image to sign up for notifications via email or text

snow parking ban notifications

Sidewalks and Private Properties


No one may place, throw, or push snow onto city streets from private property, sidewalks, or driveways.

All sidewalks adjacent to private property are the responsibility of the property owner. Sidewalks must be cleared of snow within 48-hours after a snowfall, or a fine may be issued. For more information, please review city code 136.03. 

City snow plows will not clear private driveways or private property except to allow emergency vehicles access to private property for fire, police, or EMS calls.

Shovel sidewalks

Mailbox Damage

 
On occasion, a mailbox may be damaged during snow removal operations. If you discover damage to your mailbox caused by a city snowplow, contact the Public Works Department at 515-278-0822. 

If it is determined that the damage was caused by a city plow, the city will either repair the damage, provide a standard replacement mailbox, or reimburse the resident up to the cost of a standard replacement mailbox.