Snow Removal
Responding to snow requires a collaborative effort between the City, city contractors and the community. Learn more about the city's snow response plan below.
Snow and Storm Operations
When a snow, ice or windstorm is projected to impact the city, road crews will be monitoring the situation to assess the best approach to treating and clearing snow or debris from city streets.
Deicing and Salting
Liquid deicing and, in some cases, salt is applied on bridges, arterial intersections, school zones, specific hillsides and critical intersections when snow, ice or frost is predicted. When ice begins to accumulate on the roadway, a solid granular deicer is utilized. Granular deicer may also be used on arterial streets if conditions warrant. Deicer is generally not applied to residential streets on the valley floor except at controlled intersections and in selected problem areas.
Snow Plowing
When the snow starts to fall, city road crews go into action. Primary travel routes - which include main arterial streets, critical intersections and hillside roads - are plowed whenever there is snow accumulation. View map of primary snow plowing routes
When possible, a primary plow takes place overnight because it is the safest time for both citizens and the plow driver as there is less traffic on the roads. Also, the faster roadways are cleared, the less likely that snow will become an ice layer.
The City has roads that are maintained and plowed by state road crews. Trent Avenue (SR 290) and Pines Road (Highway 27) are plowed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). For more information on these roads, contact WSDOT at 509-324-6000. The City does not plow privately owned roads.
Full Residential Plow
Residential streets are considered for plowing when the city receives snow which significantly reduces traffic flow. There are 646 lane miles in the city, and it takes about 48 hours for a full residential plow.
The City utilizes contracted graders to plow residential areas within the city, which costs taxpayers less money than purchasing equipment and employing more people. However, the companies that the City contracts with do not own graders with gates. Therefore, we are unable to avoid creating berms when plowing residential streets.
When the City initiates a full residential plow, residents can track the progress on a snowplowing map. View the residential snow plowing status map
After a full residential plow is complete, residents who feel their street may have been missed can request service via the city's SVexpress to report their concern. A street location (address) and contact information will be required.
Residents should not remove snow from their property or sidewalks into the city street. Removing or depositing snow and ice in a manner that obstructs or creates an obstruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic constitutes the misdemeanor of disorderly conduct pursuant to SVMC 8.25.030 and RCW 9A.84.030.
Sidewalk Snow Removal
Community members are responsible for clearing sidewalks near their home or business. Municipal Code 7.45 requires property owners located within Tier I priority areas to remove all accumulations of snow and ice exceeding three inches from adjacent public sidewalks. Tier 1 areas include commercially zoned areas of the city and Safe Routes to School. Sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours after a storm has passed. The intent of these regulations is to provide a safer transportation system for pedestrians, including children walking to school, as well as to ensure businesses are accessible to pedestrians throughout our commercial areas. Open the sidewalk snow removal priority map
Unfortunately, the City does not provide resources to help residents physically clear their snow from sidewalks or driveways, so it is encouraged to check in on your neighbors if you are able to assist. If you belong to a group or organization who may have volunteers willing to help clear snow during and after storms, please call the City at 509-720-5000 so we can share your contact information when the need arises.
- When will my street get plowed?
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Primary routes are plowed whenever there is snow accumulation. Residential streets are considered for plowing when traffic flow is significantly reduced. If the City starts a full residential plow, we will post on Facebook and Twitter and send an email to interested citizens. You can sign up to receive snow information.
- What streets are included in the primary routes?
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Primary plowing routes include arterials, hillsides and critical intersections.
- What streets are included in residential routes?
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Residential routes are the streets on the valley floor in residential areas.
- My street isn’t on one of the maps above. Who plows my street?
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The City of Spokane Valley has areas that are not plowed by the City. Trent Avenue (SR 290) and Highway 27 are plowed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). For more information call WSDOT at 509-324-6000.
Privately owned roads within the City limits are not plowed by the City. To find out if you live on a privately owned road, check out our snow map.
- Why doesn't the plow driver lift the blade so there isn't a berm left in my driveway?
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Plow drivers in Spokane Valley don't lift plow blades at driveways because:
- Lifting plow blades isn't always effective to avoid leaving berms.
- Lifting the blade at each intersection would create a berm in the travel lanes, creating a safety issue for drivers.
- Lifting the plow blade at each driveway in the city would significantly delay completion of plowing.
- The additional time needed to complete plowing would increase the costs, placing more financial burden on taxpayers.
- Why does the City of Spokane Valley not use gates on plows?
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Gates are most useful in residential areas to avoid leaving berms across driveways. Currently, the City of Spokane Valley utilizes contracted graders to plow residential areas within the City. Since the City does not own the graders, implementing the use of gates would require contractors to purchase additional equipment. At this time the companies that the City contracts with do not own graders with gates.
The use of gates increases the time to be able to complete plowing since the grader has to operate at a lower rate of speed to be effective.
The City is observing the use of gates in our neighboring cities and will continue to evaluate the usefulness of this piece of equipment.
- How long do I have to clear the sidewalk?
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48 hours after the end of the snow event, which may include snow deposited by plows from the roadway.
- Can I push the snow into the street?
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No, depositing snow/ice in a manner which obstructs or creates an obstruction to traffic constitutes a misdemeanor.
- How much snow/ice can accumulate before I receive a fine?
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Accumulation of snow/ice exceeding 3 inches.
- How frequently will I be fined if I don’t remove the snow?
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After a citation is issued, you have 48 hours to clear snow/ice before an additional citation may be issued.
- How much is the fine?
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- First and second citation: $52 each
- Third plus citation in 12 months: $103 each
- Where does the money from the citation go?
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The money goes to the Street Fund, which pays for road repairs.
- What resources are available for those who physically cannot clear their sidewalks?
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Unfortunately, the city does not have available resources to assist residents who need help with snow removal either on sidewalks or driveways. Residents are encouraged to reach out to area churches or service clubs for assistance.
In addition, there are companies that specialize in snow removal. Many local landscaping companies offer such services for residential customers. The Better Business Bureau has a list of companies that may offer services for snow removal.
- Are there still fines for those physically unable to clear sidewalks?
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You could still receive a warning notice or citation. However, there is a defense of violation process.
It shall serve as a defense to a violation of the sidewalk ordinance if all of the following are met:
- The subject property is occupied as a residence, regardless of zoning designation
- The violator is 65 years or older, or possesses a physical disability that has been verified by a medical doctor which prevents them from removing accumulations of snow and ice from the sidewalk and
- The violator can provide documentation that shows reasonable efforts to obtain snow removal services were made but were unsuccessful
- Why does the City of Spokane Valley not use gates on plows?
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Gates are most useful in residential areas to avoid leaving berms across driveways. Currently, the City of Spokane Valley utilizes contracted graders to plow residential areas within the City. Since the City does not own the graders, implementing the use of gates would require contractors to purchase additional equipment. At this time the companies that the City contracts with do not own graders with gates.
The use of gates increases the time to be able to complete plowing since the grader has to operate at a lower rate of speed to be effective.
The City is observing the use of gates in our neighboring cities and will continue to evaluate the usefulness of this piece of equipment.
Crews & Equipment
- Public Works staff monitors weather reports and directs crew activities
- Five regular driver/operators with additional contracted personnel as needed
- Eight Plow/Sander Trucks
- Three Plow/Deicer Trucks
- One Backhoe
- 40,000-gallon storage system for liquid deicer
- 1,000-ton enclosed storage building for granular deicer
- Additional contract personnel and equipment are available for extreme weather conditions
- On-call road graders are used when residential streets require plowing
- 24/7 operations