For this upcoming winter the Washington Police Department would like to remind residents of the city’s snow emergency ordinance.

The ordinance states that in order to protect public safety and provide access for emergency vehicles, no one shall park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or other declared area during any snow emergency proclaimed by the mayor unless the snow has been removed or plowed from said street, alley, or area and the snow has ceased to fall. The parking ban shall extend 48 hours after the cessation of a storm except on streets that have been fully opened. Vehicles parked in violation of the snow emergency ordinance may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.

Property owners are also responsible for clearing snow or ice accumulation from their abutting sidewalk within 24 hours after a storm has ceased. It is unlawful for Washington residents to place any snow or ice onto a street or alley so as to obstruct gutters or impede traffic.