Snow Removal

Responsibilities

During snows storms the city crew operates as many as 12 snowplows, removing snow and salting roads around the clock if necessary. The Public Works department plows approximately 150 miles of road equating to over 300 miles of plowing. Our goal is to keep the streets safe for travel through the winter months. In order to achieve this, the Public Works Department has prioritized a sequence in which the roads will be plowed and salted. View the Snow Removal Routes Map of the priority streets.

Road Priorities

Please be aware that State Road (SR) 73, Redwood Road, Pioneer Crossing, and Mountain View Corridor North of SR-73 are maintained by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and are not under the control of the City or it’s prioritization policy.

1st priority will be the arterial roads and major collector streets which are the backbone of the City’s transportation network and carry the highest traffic volumes. In addition, critical routes including those serving schools, municipal buildings, and selected streets on steep grades are included.
2nd priority are the local collectors and other primary routes through subdivisions that connect to arterial roads and major collector streets.
3rd priority will be remaining city streets and local roadways.

Please take note that during severe storms the Public Works department may only get to the 1^st priority streets as those roads must remain as clear as possible. Second and third priority roads will get cleared, however it may take a couple days after a large storm to get to them. It is also not the position of the City of Saratoga Springs to maintain a bare pavement policy on every street after a snowstorm given the many other duties of the Public Works Department.

For questions or concerns regarding the snow plow policy please contact the Public Works Department.

Parks and Trails Priorities

The Parks Department is responsible for maintaining snow and ice control on City-owned park parking lots, walkways, and trails. These areas are prioritized based on public safety, accessibility, and use.

Parks Snow Removal Priorities

1^st priority will be designated school routes and crosswalks to provide safe access to all who are utilizing these pathways for their transportation to schools and appropriate activities.
2^nd priority will be for all regional parks and trails. These are the most utilized parks and trails by Saratoga Springs residents and residents of other jurisdictions.
3^rd priority is all other remaining parks and trails that are non-regional in nature.

During large or extended storms, the Parks Department may only be able to focus on 1st priority areas until conditions stabilize. Lower-priority routes and trails will be cleared as soon as possible afterward.

Please note that the City does not maintain a “bare pavement” policy for all park paths, parking lots, or trails due to other essential maintenance responsibilities and varying weather conditions.

For questions or concerns regarding the Parks snow removal policy, please contact the Parks Department.

Residents Responsibilities

6 Reasons To Move Your Car Off The Street When It Snows

It’s the law
If enough cars are parked along a road they could prevent access to snowplows.
Cars parked along a road that can be accessed by snowplows limit the clearing area as the driver maneuvers around parked vehicles.
Maneuvering around vehicles takes extra time limiting how quickly roads in the city can be cleared.
Cars moved after a road has been cleared can leave large piles of snow in the road.
Snow left in the road can impede road access for vehicles including public safety vehicles, garbage collection trucks and more.

Streets

Code 13.08.10. Snow Removal From Streets:

In order to facilitate the speedy and safe removal of snow from City streets, it is illegal for the owner or driver of any vehicle to park, cause, or allow to be parked such vehicle upon a City street or right-of-way during a snowstorm when a measurable amount of snow has fallen, or following a snowstorm when a measurable amount of snow has fallen, and the City’s snow removal equipment has not yet been utilized to remove the snow.
“Vehicles” shall be defined to include, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, trailers, mobile homes, travel trailers, boats, motorcycles, buses, snowmobiles, and other objects used or capable of being used for transportation purposes whether for the transport of humans, animals, or freight of any kind.
A violation of this Section shall be enforced pursuant to Title 20 of the City Code.

State law prohibits residents, business owners, and/or contractors from depositing snow onto public streets. Snow removed from driveways and sidewalks should be shoveled onto lawns or park strip areas and not onto public streets.

Sidewalks

City of Saratoga Springs property owners are responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property free of snow and ice. City crews are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks at all public facilities.

Fire Hydrants

During winter months it is important to keep the area around fire hydrants free of snow; therefore, it is the home owners’ responsibility to clear snow from around fire hydrants in front of their house.

Mailboxes

During the winter months snow will accumulate along the roads and on park strips. Mail boxes improperly installed or with older posts may not stand up to the rigors of winter and if broken will be the responsibility of the home owner. The city will replace any mail boxes and/or posts physically struck by a snow plow during the plowing process that have been placed correctly.

Mailboxes should be positioned 41" to 45" from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.
Place mailbox 6" to 8" back from the curb. If you do not have raised a curb, contact your local postmaster for guidance.
Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox
In your mailbox is on a different street from your house or apartment, put your full street address on the mailbox.

Pruning

Trees and bushes must be kept at a proper distance so as not to impede access to fire hydrants by emergency personnel or snow plows from being able to properly clear the roads.