Newton’s Public Works Director Joe Grife says residents can help his employees with clearing snow from streets by following the City’s Snow Ordinance. Outside of downtown, Grife says the city’s ordinance prohibits street parking once snow accumulation hits two inches.  

“The biggest thing residents can do to help us is keep cars off the street when we are doing snow removal. And if residents do snow removal themselves, don’t push the snow across the street or back into the street. That’s a big thing we see. We may be done with the street and now we have issues.”

Grife says his employees have about 200 lane miles to clear within the city, which is done with two, four-man crews working twelve hour shifts. Vehicles must not be parked on Newton city streets during snow plowing operations until the street has been plowed full width and snow removal operations are declared complete. Snow Ordinance violation tickets issued by the Newton Police Department are $50, and vehicles can also be impounded if they create a hazard to traffic, impede the ability to safely plow the street, or remain on the street 24 hours after snow plowing has been completed.

Parking is prohibited in Newton’s Downtown Snow Removal District between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. when downtown snow removal operations are declared. The City must make that declaration by 7 p.m. the evening of hauling operations.

Newton residents can find out if on street parking is prohibited by calling 641-791-SNOW (7669) or checking the City of Newton’s website. Information about Downtown Snow Hauling District operations can be obtained by calling 641-792-0411. To get a text or email when snow operations go into effect, sign up for City of Newton Snow Alerts.