The City's Public Services personnel plow streets in sequence of majors, locals, dead ends, alleys, and cul-de-sacs, making every effort to have major streets cleared within 24 hours and local streets, dead-ends, alleys and cul-de-sacs within 48 hours of the end of the snowfall event. During periods of heavier snowfall priority is given to major streets, with locals and other streets being plowed as crews are able. If your street has not been plowed and it is past the time frame for your street, you can report it online here or by calling (269) 337-8601. Please do not report missed streets before within this timeframe.
City of Kalamazoo’s first priority is to have public streets cleared of snow so motoring traffic can safely travel on City streets. Vehicles parked on City streets impact snow removal activities. Please be attentive to parking restrictions in place for your area as violators will be towed at the owner’s expense. As a reminder, City Ordinance 36-170 (a) restricts parking on City streets between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless otherwise posted.
While plowing is underway, driveways that have already been shoveled may become filled back in with snow. Shoveling the area along the roadway on the oncoming traffic side of your driveway will help avoid additional work after plows have gone through. Please assist neighbors and relatives who may have difficulty removing snow in front of their properties due to age or infirmity.
Most streets situated within Kalamazoo County but outside of the city limits are plowed by the Kalamazoo County Road Commission. Highways and ramps are plowed by MDOT. Private streets are not plowed by the City of Kalamazoo.
When shoveling your driveway, clearing the areas shown in this diagram will help prevent snow from piling up when the roads are plowed.
Snow covered sidewalks
Clear sidewalks are an important element in providing safe travel for residents during snowfall events. The Kalamazoo City Code of Ordinances Section 33-18 requires property owners or occupants to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Maintaining clear sidewalks is also courtesy and to your neighbors and all those who rely on sidewalks. Please assist neighbors and relatives who may have difficulty removing snow in front of their properties due to age or infirmity.
All snow and ice which has accumulated on the adjacent public sidewalk should be removed in a timely fashion. Immediately after the accumulation of ice on a sidewalk it is recommended that it be treated with sand or salt to reduce the risk of injury. Please exercise caution and care when shoveling, especially during extreme cold.
If any citizen has a concern regarding the lack of sidewalk snow removal more than 48 hours after the end of an accumulation greater than one inch, please report locations which may be of concern online here or by calling (269) 337-8215.
Snow covered hydrants, inlets, and storm sewer drains
When possible, please help out your neighbors, water system crews and fire service personnel by keeping a 2-foot path cleared around the hydrant, and clearing snow from off the hydrant itself so that it is easily visible from the street.
To avoid area flooding as the winter snow and ice melts, please clear storm inlets/storm sewer drains if you are able to. City personnel will make every effort to clear these areas as well, but any assistance is appreciated and helps us all in keeping our City clear of hazards and functioning optimally.