With winter right around the corner, the Knoxville Police Department encourages residents to be mindful of upcoming snow ordinances. A snow ordinance is issued in Knoxville when one or more inches of snow is forecast or has fallen to allow crews to clear the roads. Community Service Officer Meredith Clark says people will be ticketed if they don’t move their vehicles when the snow ordinance is issued.

“If the vehicle isn’t moved so the plows can get through, that’s a $25 parking ticket. If the sidewalks aren’t cleared within 24 hours, we will notify the homeowner that it needs to be done. But if it isn’t done, the city goes ahead and clears it, and issues a fine depending on lot size.”

Vehicles cannot be parked on city streets when the snow ordinance is in effect, but can be parked in yards during this time. Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after the end of the precipitation, and snow must be cleared away from fire hydrants. KNIA/KRLS will announce on-air and online when the snow ordinance is issued.