Richmond VA > Public Works > Snow Removal

Last Updated: 2020-08-05

Picture of a fallen tree Picture of a snow truck

                                                 Winter Storm                                             Snow Truck Plow

Removing snow from city streets is a service provided by Street Maintenance. When snow removal becomes necessary, city crews work around the clock to improve travel conditions on major transportation routes, allowing emergency services, education, and commerce to continue with minimal interruption. Residents should understand that snow removal is a public safety initiative. The program is not designed to provide convenient road conditions for extensive travel throughout the city.

Street Clearing Order

Bridges, major thoroughfares, and major arterial streets are given 1st and 2nd priority. Secondary arterial streets will be cleared to bare pavement within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling, DEPENDENT UPON ACCUMULATION AND TEMPERATURE. Private property owners should not move snow from their driveways or parking lots into city streets. Doing so hampers the city's ability to clear roadways and could become a public safety hazard.

Click here for the list of Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets.

Staying Safe During a Major Snow Storm

Picture of a snowing street

During major snowstorms, the city of Richmond encourages residents to stay home if at all possible. If residents must travel, they should make every effort to use major thoroughfares that have been plowed and/or treated with sand and salt.

Keep parked cars off of main streets to speed up removal.

Per City Code, Sec. 24-34, you must clear the snow on sidewalks adjacent to your property within 6 hours of snow stopping or by 11:00 a.m. the next day if snow continues to fall through the night. City code holds property owners and occupants responsible for doing so. If you see sidewalks that are not cleared within the allotted timeframe, please contact Customer Care at 3-1-1 and enter a service request for Code Enforcement/DPW so the matter can be addressed.


Emergency Snow Routes

The city has designated snow emergency routes to improve travel and snow removal along portions of certain major thoroughfares. The snow emergency routes include portions of

Picture of a snow plow
  • Broad Street
  • 7th Street
  • 8th Street
  • Franklin Street
  • Main Street
  • Cary Street,
  • Marshall Street
  • Semmes Avenue
  • Mechanicsville Turnpike

If the city leadership declares a snow emergency, parking will be illegal during times indicated on the new signs. The city will tow illegally parked vehicles.

Parking

Residents should make every effort to move vehicles or park on side streets, leaving at least one travel lane open. This helps prevent accidents keeps primary and secondary streets clear for first responder vehicles. The city will tow cars that are double-parked or abandoned in travel lanes on all streets at the owner’s expense. Towed cars will be taken to:

      Siebert's Towing
      642 W. Southside Plaza St.
      Richmond, VA 23224
      P | 804.233.5757

Refuse Collection

The Department of Public Works will attempt to collect all refuse on the scheduled collection days. However, snow may cause delays in some areas.

Contact Information:

Dept of Public Works
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 704
Richmond, VA
23219 USA
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Hours: Monday -Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Customer Care Center: 3-1-1
or (804)646-7000

311

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If you have any questions, please call the City’s Customer Care Center at 3-1-1 or (804) 646-7000

RVA Impact Map displays projects (i.e. gas, water, paving, etc.), events (i.e. parades, races, block parties, etc.) and right of way impacts (i.e. detours, partial and full lane closures, barricades, parking restrictions, etc.) as an interactive map for informational and navigational purposes. Data displayed is refreshed as changes are made.

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