The City of Kenosha has a great team committed to battling the challenges of winter. The City‘s Snow and Ice Control Policy provides important information regarding the procedures used to ensure that snow and ice is cleared effectively and efficiently.
Per City ordinance, alternate side parking regulations are in effect from December 1 to March 31. On odd-calendar dates (example 1st, 3rd, 5th) from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., motorists may park, unless otherwise prohibited, on the side of the street where buildings have an odd-numbered address (example 5101, 4803). On even-calendar dates (example 2nd, 16th, 24th) from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., motorists may park, unless otherwise prohibited, on that side of the street where buildings have even-numbered addresses (example 2102, 4804).
Alternate side parking does not apply to blocks where parking is limited to only one side of the street, or to blocks which have other parking restrictions, that would be in effect from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., check General Ordinance 7.06 for specific exceptions.
There are two occasions which require parking on the odd-numbered side of the street on consecutive nights. They are December 31 – January 1 and January 31 – February 1. Motorists who fail to observe these regulations may be fined, and their vehicles may be towed. The City of Kenosha will begin strongly enforcing these regulations moving forward.
The City will declare a 'Snow Emergency' when snow conditions have reached a depth of four inches (4") or when the City determines the snow is causing hazardous driving conditions. When a declared snow emergency is in effect NO PARKING IS ALLOWED ON ANY CITY ROADWAY AT ANY TIME. The city will allow overnight parking in designated downtown and uptown city parking lots to ease the burden of finding parking during the snow emergency.
For snow emergency and parking information during a winter storm: listen to WLIP AM 1050, watch Channel 25 on Spectrum Cable, call the City's 24-hour hotline at 262.653.4074, check for a yellow banner on the City website, City social media (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook) and through the City’s mass notification system, AlertSense.
Snow and ice control in the City of Kenosha is a joint effort by all Public Works Department personnel. The City is divided into 10 snow routes to organize and manage snow-fighting operations. Snow plows and salters are dispatched to all 10 routes simultaneously.
When winter storms produce less than two inches (2") of snowfall, the City snow plowing crews will only plow snow routes deemed highest priority. These routes include highly traveled main thoroughfares, bus routes, school access roads and posted snow routes.
When winter storms produce more than two inches (2") of snowfall, the City plows all residential roadways. During this type of event, the City‘s goal is to clear all residential roadways within a 24-hour period following the end of the winter storm.
Due to the nature of plowing, cars parked on streets will inevitably be plowed-in, and driveway approaches may be blocked with snow from the plowing operation.
The City prohibits parking on posted snow routes after two inches (2") or more of snow has fallen, and whenever a snow emergency is in effect. Violators are subject to a citation and their vehicles may be towed.
Since 2015, the City has had the ability to pretreat roadways with liquid deicers. When conditions meet specific criteria, the treatment is sprayed onto dry pavement prior to a winter storm. The pretreatment helps prevent snow and ice from adhering to the roadway surface. Specific conditions must exist for anti-icing to be effective, so treatment is not used for every snow event.
If you are following an anti-icing vehicle, please stay back 100 feet.
At the beginning of a winter storm, the City spreads salt on the roadways designated as salt routes. These routes include highly traveled main thoroughfares, bus routes, school access roads and posted snow routes. Except for near stop signs, and on hills and curves, the City does not apply salt to residential streets.
The City limits its use of salt to designated routes because of its costs and environmental impacts.
The City requires property owners and occupants to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours following the end of all snow/ice accumulation associated with a winter storm. All properties that abut handicap ramps shall also clear the snow from the full width of the ramp and the adjacent curb line for accessibility purposes.
Per Ordinance 5.11.F., failure to remove snow and ice from your sidewalks can result in a cost to the abutting/front property owner. The cost will be billed as a special charge to the property owner for all sidewalk cleared by the City, along with a $70 administrative fee.
Per Ordinance 7.13.G., it is unlawful to shovel, dump, blow, plow or otherwise place snow in any public roadway, highway or alley right-of-way. Violators should be reported to Public Works at 262-653-4050 and may receive a citation.
It is not City policy for staff to clear any driveway, parked car or sidewalk blocked as a result of any plowing operation.
In the event that snow depth prevents plowing up to mailboxes, residents shall be responsible for clearing a path for the delivery of mail.
We need your help!
Fire hydrants and inlets should be kept free and clear of snow to ensure the safety of your neighborhood, in case of an emergency. Roadway inlets should be kept clear of snow and ice to reduce the risk of roadway flooding during heavy rain events and snow melting. We need your help to remove snow from fire hydrants and inlets during heavy snowfall events. The Street Division crews are unable to clear snow around fire hydrants.
Citizens are asked to clear an area in the lawn parking to place your automated carts. Another possible location is on either side of your driveway approach. If your cart(s) is/are knocked over by a plow, please call our office M-F 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 262.653.4050 and press 0 to speak to the clerical staff.
Please call the Public Works Department at 262.653.4050 (M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) or the Street Division at 262.653.4070 (M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. or anytime during snow fighting operations).
Visit the Forestry page for information on parkway trees and other tree-related issues.
Street sweeping is part of the roadway maintenance performed by the Street Division. Street sweepers will collect leaves that naturally fall or blow into the street from the wind. Please note that it is against City Ordinance (§11.02 U) to place, sweep, throw or deposit grass clippings, rubbish, or other debris such as leaves into the streets or alleys. Raking leaves into the streets is prohibited and can block the sweeper pick-up nozzles and storm sewers.
For more information on street maintenance, click here.
Free wood mulch is available to City residents and property owners at the Yard Waste Site (4071 88th Avenue). Drop-ins must bring their own shovels and containers, and must load the mulch themselves. For information on how to arrange to have wood mulch loaded at the site by City staff, click here. The site is open April-November, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (except holidays). During the winter months (December-March) you may call 262-653-4070 (M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.) to find out if the site will be open.
Wood mulch can be delivered for a fee, when available. Click here to view the Wood Mulch Delivery form for more information on delivery fees, etc. or call 262-653-4050.
Compost is available to City residents and property owners at the Yard Waste Site (4071 88th Avenue). Drop-ins that bring their own shovels and containers, and load the compost themselves, may do so free of charge. For information on how to arrange to have compost loaded at the site by City staff for a small fee, click here. The site is open April-November, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (except holidays). During the winter months (December-March) you may call 262-653-4070 (M-F, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.) to find out if the site will be open.
Compost can be delivered for a fee, when available. Click here to view the Compost Delivery order form for more information on delivery fees, etc. or call 262-653-4070.