Snow Removal
Overview
During winter, snow will fall and travel will become more challenging. The dedicated men and women of our Public Works Department will be out in force keeping our roadways as clean and safe as possible.
We would like to remind everyone to use extreme caution around the plow trucks and to utilize the information below.
Our Public Works Department has an excellent safety record, and you can help us continue to provide safe and effective snow removal by following these tips.
If you have questions, or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at 801-731-4187.
Safety Tips and Guidelines
Please make sure you are at a safe distance when pulling out in front of a plow truck. Our trucks can weigh in excess of 10 tons and require a longer than normal stopping distance on slick pavement.
When following a plow, allow plenty of stopping distance. Plow trucks make frequent stops and back up with little warning. Remember, if you cannot see a plow truck’s side view mirror, the driver cannot see you.
Remain at a safe distance from rock salt. Rock salt is our main defense against slick pavement and our plows are capable of spreading this salt in a 20-foot pattern behind the vehicle. We do use shielding to deflect this pattern, but occasionally rock salt can damage nearby vehicles or come in contact with pedestrians.
Please do not pass plow trucks. Please be patient while we clear a path for you.
Street Parking Is Restricted from December 1 to the Following March 1
* So as to provide access to snow plows for snow removal, it is unlawful for any person to park or allow to remain parked any vehicle upon streets from December 1 to the following March 1 upon said streets when: 1) snow is falling; or 2) there is a visible amount of snow on the street; and 3) the street has not been plowed since the snow fell (City Code 10.04.080: Parking Regulations).
* Street parking is prohibited at any time when there are two inches or more of snow accumulation on the streets until the streets are cleared. Please refrain from parking on streets whenever snow or ice conditions may require plowing.
Impounding and Removing Vehicles
* While Farr West City does not have a policy of impounding vehicles, if a snow emergency is in effect and/or a vehicle is in violation of the ordinance, your vehicle may be ticketed and turned over to the police for further action.
* When any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a City street, such officer is authorized to require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to remove the vehicle to a position in compliance with the ordinance. When any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any street or City-owned parking lot in violation of any parking regulation, such officer is authorized to ticket the vehicle and request further action if not removed within the designated time frame. If removal is necessary and/or a charge is placed against the vehicle for cost of removal or storage by anyone called upon to assist with removal, it shall be paid prior to removal from such place of storage or safekeeping.
Placing Snow in Roadway
* It is unlawful to remove snow or ice from individual private property and placing it in the roadway of any street or private road. This makes it difficult to keep roads cleared, and doing so creates dangerous conditions for all motor vehicles.
Snow Plow Safety
* Drive slowly, pass plows only with extreme caution, and never drive into a snow plow’s cloud.
* Snow plows often use wing plows extending off to either side to clear more snow quicker. Never pass a snow plow by driving on the shoulder, and be very careful while passing a plow in the left lane of a multi-lane highway. Give plow blades plenty of room along the center line of the roadway.
* Snow plows frequently stop and back up. If you are driving bumper to bumper, you are probably in the snow plow’s blind spot—an accident just waiting to happen. Give snow plows plenty of room to work in every direction.
* Driving into the cloud that a snow plow kicks up can instantly blind you, creating a total “whiteout.” Be very careful around snow plows.
* Do not allow children to play on or near the street when snow plowing is in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How does the City’s street snow removal program work?
A. Farr West’s snow removal program is designed to help keep the City’s roadways as safe and accessible as possible both during and after snowstorms. A snow removal operation will run continuously until the roads are safe for travel. Since safety is the first priority, school zones and main roadways are plowed first. After these areas are clean, streets are plowed according to steepness of grade, subdivision streets, cul-de-sacs, and then dead-end streets. If the storm is continuous and heavy, the plows will continue to open the main roadways and school zones as necessary, returning to the lower priority streets when possible.
Q. Are sidewalks plowed by the City?
A. Residents are responsible to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their own properties. This should be done as soon as possible after a storm to allow the sunshine to melt the ice from the sidewalk. Leaving snow on sidewalks to freeze during the night makes it more difficult to remove the ice and creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians. Certain home owner associations may offer sidewalk snow removal. Check with your individual HOA (if applicable) regarding snow removal in your area.
Q. Can I park my vehicle on the street during the winter season?
A. Farr West City code prohibits parking on streets at any time when snow is falling, when there is a visible amount of snow on the street, or when the street has not been plowed since the snow fell. As always, parking of over-sized vehicles such as trailers, busses, recreational vehicles, etc. is strictly prohibited. Parking on the street after a snowstorm makes it difficult for snowplows to clear the streets and causes hazardous driving conditions for other vehicles attempting to maneuver through the deep snow. Vehicles left on the street during snowstorms will be ticketed and/or towed.
Q. The snowplows push snow into my freshly cleared driveway. Isn’t there a better way to clear the streets to show some consideration to City residents?
A. Unfortunately, there isn’t a better way to clear streets. The snow has to go somewhere, and to make our roads safe, that “somewhere” is the side of the road. Snowplow blades are designed to push snow to the side of the road. Homeowners are asked to wait until the street is cleared prior to cleaning out the drive approach, when possible. Just a reminder that it is illegal to throw or push snow into any street. This can make the road more dangerous for cars and snowplows. You are encouraged to move the snow onto your own property.
Q. Which roads are not plowed by the City?
* County roads are plowed by the County.
* Private roads are to be maintained by the homeowner association or a private entity. (If you have questions regarding whether your street is public or private, contact your HOA or the City.)
* State roads are plowed by UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation).
Q. When do plowing and/or salting commence?
* Snowfall accumulation of three inches or more, or if conditions warrant.
* Accumulation of drifting snow.
* Ice and/or freezing rain that affect road conditions.
During winter, snow will fall and travel will become more challenging. The dedicated men and women of our Public Works Department will be out in force keeping our roadways as clean and safe as possible.
We would like to remind everyone to use extreme caution around the plow trucks and to utilize the information below.
Our Public Works Department has an excellent safety record, and you can help us continue to provide safe and effective snow removal by following these tips.
If you have questions, or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at 801-731-4187.
Safety Tips and Guidelines
Please make sure you are at a safe distance when pulling out in front of a plow truck. Our trucks can weigh in excess of 10 tons and require a longer than normal stopping distance on slick pavement.
When following a plow, allow plenty of stopping distance. Plow trucks make frequent stops and back up with little warning. Remember, if you cannot see a plow truck’s side view mirror, the driver cannot see you.
Remain at a safe distance from rock salt. Rock salt is our main defense against slick pavement and our plows are capable of spreading this salt in a 20-foot pattern behind the vehicle. We do use shielding to deflect this pattern, but occasionally rock salt can damage nearby vehicles or come in contact with pedestrians.
Please do not pass plow trucks. Please be patient while we clear a path for you.
Street Parking Is Restricted from December 1 to the Following March 1
* So as to provide access to snow plows for snow removal, it is unlawful for any person to park or allow to remain parked any vehicle upon streets from December 1 to the following March 1 upon said streets when: 1) snow is falling; or 2) there is a visible amount of snow on the street; and 3) the street has not been plowed since the snow fell (City Code 10.04.080: Parking Regulations).
* Street parking is prohibited at any time when there are two inches or more of snow accumulation on the streets until the streets are cleared. Please refrain from parking on streets whenever snow or ice conditions may require plowing.
Impounding and Removing Vehicles
* While Farr West City does not have a policy of impounding vehicles, if a snow emergency is in effect and/or a vehicle is in violation of the ordinance, your vehicle may be ticketed and turned over to the police for further action.
* When any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a City street, such officer is authorized to require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to remove the vehicle to a position in compliance with the ordinance. When any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any street or City-owned parking lot in violation of any parking regulation, such officer is authorized to ticket the vehicle and request further action if not removed within the designated time frame. If removal is necessary and/or a charge is placed against the vehicle for cost of removal or storage by anyone called upon to assist with removal, it shall be paid prior to removal from such place of storage or safekeeping.
Placing Snow in Roadway
* It is unlawful to remove snow or ice from individual private property and placing it in the roadway of any street or private road. This makes it difficult to keep roads cleared, and doing so creates dangerous conditions for all motor vehicles.
Snow Plow Safety
* Drive slowly, pass plows only with extreme caution, and never drive into a snow plow’s cloud.
* Snow plows often use wing plows extending off to either side to clear more snow quicker. Never pass a snow plow by driving on the shoulder, and be very careful while passing a plow in the left lane of a multi-lane highway. Give plow blades plenty of room along the center line of the roadway.
* Snow plows frequently stop and back up. If you are driving bumper to bumper, you are probably in the snow plow’s blind spot—an accident just waiting to happen. Give snow plows plenty of room to work in every direction.
* Driving into the cloud that a snow plow kicks up can instantly blind you, creating a total “whiteout.” Be very careful around snow plows.
* Do not allow children to play on or near the street when snow plowing is in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How does the City’s street snow removal program work?
A. Farr West’s snow removal program is designed to help keep the City’s roadways as safe and accessible as possible both during and after snowstorms. A snow removal operation will run continuously until the roads are safe for travel. Since safety is the first priority, school zones and main roadways are plowed first. After these areas are clean, streets are plowed according to steepness of grade, subdivision streets, cul-de-sacs, and then dead-end streets. If the storm is continuous and heavy, the plows will continue to open the main roadways and school zones as necessary, returning to the lower priority streets when possible.
Q. Are sidewalks plowed by the City?
A. Residents are responsible to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their own properties. This should be done as soon as possible after a storm to allow the sunshine to melt the ice from the sidewalk. Leaving snow on sidewalks to freeze during the night makes it more difficult to remove the ice and creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians. Certain home owner associations may offer sidewalk snow removal. Check with your individual HOA (if applicable) regarding snow removal in your area.
Q. Can I park my vehicle on the street during the winter season?
A. Farr West City code prohibits parking on streets at any time when snow is falling, when there is a visible amount of snow on the street, or when the street has not been plowed since the snow fell. As always, parking of over-sized vehicles such as trailers, busses, recreational vehicles, etc. is strictly prohibited. Parking on the street after a snowstorm makes it difficult for snowplows to clear the streets and causes hazardous driving conditions for other vehicles attempting to maneuver through the deep snow. Vehicles left on the street during snowstorms will be ticketed and/or towed.
Q. The snowplows push snow into my freshly cleared driveway. Isn’t there a better way to clear the streets to show some consideration to City residents?
A. Unfortunately, there isn’t a better way to clear streets. The snow has to go somewhere, and to make our roads safe, that “somewhere” is the side of the road. Snowplow blades are designed to push snow to the side of the road. Homeowners are asked to wait until the street is cleared prior to cleaning out the drive approach, when possible. Just a reminder that it is illegal to throw or push snow into any street. This can make the road more dangerous for cars and snowplows. You are encouraged to move the snow onto your own property.
Q. Which roads are not plowed by the City?
* County roads are plowed by the County.
* Private roads are to be maintained by the homeowner association or a private entity. (If you have questions regarding whether your street is public or private, contact your HOA or the City.)
* State roads are plowed by UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation).
Q. When do plowing and/or salting commence?
* Snowfall accumulation of three inches or more, or if conditions warrant.
* Accumulation of drifting snow.
* Ice and/or freezing rain that affect road conditions.