Winter Storm Info 2022-23
City reminds residents of winter storm operations and regulations
The Portland Department of Public Works reports that they are ready for the season. Every year they plow and maintain over 560 lane miles of road. In addition, the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department cares for more than 100 miles of sidewalks!
SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL REGULATIONS
- TIME TO SHOVEL: The City’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance requires business owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property 12 hours following a winter storm. Residential owners must clear snow and ice abutting their property 18 hours following the end of a storm or when the City finishes snow removal operations, whichever is later.
- 4-FT. MIN: A minimum of four feet is required to be clear of snow and treated for ice on all public sidewalks and sidewalk access ramps. Snow cannot be pushed or dumped from driveways and parking lots onto public access sidewalks and access ramps.
- FINES: Business owners who fail to remove snow and ice within these time frames risk facing a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second offense within the same winter season, and $1,000 for any subsequent offense within the same winter season. Additionally, should the city have to remove the snow and ice or arrange for its removal, the property owner will be charged for the cost of removal plus a 10% charge for administration. Residential owners can be fined $75 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense in the same winter season and $250 for any subsequent offense in the same winter season. Like business owners, should the city have to remove the snow and ice or arrange for its removal, the property owner will be charged for the cost of removal plus a 10% charge for administration.
- MAP: To view a map of city sidewalks cleared by City crews, see winter sidewalks.
GET YOUR SAND & SALT
The City’s free residential sand and salt pile is at the Little League parking lot in Payson Park. The sand and salt pile is for residential use only. Residents can take two five-gallon pails at a time.
HELP WITH SNOW REMOVAL
- Elderly and disabled residents: Those who need help with removing snow from sidewalks should contact the City’s Elder Services Department at 207-541-6620. The Age-Friendly Portland Steering Committee is looking for volunteers willing to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter.
- Fire Hydrants: Members of the community are encouraged to help the Portland Fire Department by keeping their neighborhood fire hydrants clear of snow and ice. The City currently has 1,460 public hydrants. Citizens are also encouraged to help Public Works by clearing catch basins and storm drains in front of their homes to help prevent water ponding on their streets and in their driveway openings.
WINTER STORM INFO HOTLINE
For customer service related to winter operations, please call 207-874-8493. For sidewalk plowing concerns, please call 207-874-8793.
PARKING BANS: ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS
- The City can call a city-wide parking ban, a peninsula ban which covers the entire peninsula, or a yellow zone ban, which covers the downtown district.
- Residents and visitors can view alerts on the City’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov. Sign up to receive email, text, and phone notices via the Stay Connected feature when parking bans are declared. You can also text the word PortlandParkingBan to 38276 to join. People can also get parking ban updates by following City news on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Motorists can also call the parking ban hotline at 207-879-0300.
Parking During an Active Parking Ban
- All vehicles left on the street during a snow parking ban may be towed at the owner’s expense. Only cash, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover cards are accepted. No checks will be accepted. Call the snow impound lot at 207-774-3025.
- Snow ban parking lot options can be found here. Please check the list each year as lot availability does change. This year there are changes to school lots due to construction activity.
- It is important to pay attention to when cars should be out of snow ban lots as City crews rely on cars to be out at the posted time so they can perform snow removal operations in those lots.
- Residents able to park off-street should do so to allow crews to remove snow from the streets and emergency vehicles to travel as safely and efficiently as possible.
- If parking your car on the street, please park as close to the snowbank/curb as possible. Often people park several feet away from the curb to allow passengers to move in and out of the car easily. Parking the car in this manner shortens the width of the street by several feet, making it difficult for Portland snowplows to clear the street safely and emergency vehicles to respond as quickly as possible to a fire or medical emergency. If the street is impassable for an emergency vehicle, the vehicle blocking the street will be towed.
Normal Winter On-Street Parking Reminders
- Please remember to observe the posted bi-monthly street maintenance signs, as those restrictions are used to aid in cleanup following snow events.
- Be on the lookout for any emergency no parking signs that may be posted on streets following major snow events to aid in further snow removal. These signs are only required to be posted 12 hours in advance.
Find additional winter storm info, tips, and reminders on the city website here.
