Summary

During the winter months the City of Pleasant Hill enforces a snow ordinance when one or more inches of snow or ice has fallen or it has been predicted by the National Weather Service. The parking ban shall continue for the duration of the storm and for at least forty-eight hours past the end of the storm or until streets are fully opened after plowing. Failure to comply with the snow ordinance will result in a $35 fine and/or towing of the vehicle.

Ordinance Details

In order to ensure public safety and well being on our public roadways, the Police Department strictly enforces the snow ordinance. Vehicles left on streets during a snowstorm obstruct snowplows from properly removing the snow from the roads and create a hazard to other motorist. Such parking ban is in effect when one or more inch(es) of snow or ice has fallen or is predicted by the National Weather Service. The parking ban shall continue for the duration of the storm and for at least forty-eight hours past the end of the storm or until streets are fully opened after plowing.

When the snow ordinance is in effect, the local media (radio & television) will be notified. For additional information or questions, you can always call the Police Department at 515 265-1444.

Pleasant Hill City Code 69.10 covers the snow ordinance and states:

SNOW EMERGENCY. No person shall park, abandon or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or City-owned off-street parking area during any snow emergency proclaimed by the Police Chief, a police officer or the Public Works Director unless the snow has been removed or plowed from said street, alley or parking area and the snow has ceased to fall. A snow emergency parking ban shall continue from its proclamation throughout the duration of the snow or ice storm and the forty-eight (48) hour period after cessation of such storm except as above provided upon streets which have been fully opened. Such a ban shall be of uniform application and the Police Chief is directed to publicize the requirements widely, using all available news media, in early November each year. When predictions or occurrences indicate the need, the Police Chief, a police officer or the Public Works Director shall proclaim a snow emergency and the Police Department shall inform the news media to publicize the proclamation and the parking rules under the emergency. The emergency may be extended or shortened when conditions warrant.

Additionally, all streets and public roadways in the city limits of Pleasant Hill are covered by the snow ordinance. Pleasant Hill City Code 69.11 states:

SNOW ROUTES. All City streets are hereby designated as snow routes. When conditions of snow or ice exist on the traffic surface of a designated snow route, it is unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to impede or block traffic.

Failure to comply with the snow ordinance will result in a $35 fine and/or towing of the vehicle. The fine is issued on a parking citation form and payment of the ticket is usually due 10-days from the date it is issued. Failure to pay a parking ticket will result in a late fee being assessed and/or a warrant for arrest. If your vehicle is towed, full payment of ticket, towing fees and any impound fees is required before the vehicle will be released to the registered owner.