Streets are cleared in the following order: 
Bridges, major thoroughfares, and major arterial streets cleaned to bare pavement as quickly as possible during and immediately after snowfall. 
Secondary arterial streets will be cleared to bare pavement within 24 hours of the snow’s cessation. These streets include some GRTC bus routes. 
Residential streets will be treated with chemicals and sand one to three days after snow has stopped. The City does not routinely plow residential streets. The City will not take individual requests for snow removal. Private property owners should not clear snow from their driveways or parking lots into City streets. The additional snow hampers the City’s ability to clear roadways and could become a public safety hazard.

"What should I do during a major snow storm?"

• 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.
• Clear the snow on sidewalks adjacent to your property within 6 hours. of snow stopping or by 11 a.m. the next day if snow continues to fall through the night. City code holds property owners and occupants responsible for doing so.

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 Broad Street, 7th Street, 8th Street, Franklin Street, Main Street, Cary Street, Marshall Street, Semmes Avenue, and Mechanicsville Turnpike. If the City Manager 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 also make every effort to move or park their vehicles on side streets, leaving at least one travel lane open for traffic. This measure is necessary to prevent accidents and to keep primary and secondary streets clear for ambulance, police, and fire vehicles and snow plows. The City of Richmond will tow cars that are double-parked or abandoned in travel lanes on all streets. Owners will then have to pay to retrieve their cars from the City tow lot, which is located at Commerce and Hull streets.

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. Richmond residents can call the snow information hotline at 646-5323 to receive up-to-date information about refuse collection schedules.

If you have questions, please call the City's Customer Care Center at 3-1-1
or send an e-mail to DPW@richmondgov.com.