Community members are encouraged to sign up for snow removal notifications and review snow removal procedures prior to the first significant snowstorm, especially those who have recently moved to Idaho Falls.  

Providing information to the public is a vital part of the snow removal process. Residents need to know how they can help facilitate snow removal and what to expect in terms of a response by the City and what the responsibilities are of the property owner during winter storms. 

“If you have new drivers in the household or know of someone who recently moved to Idaho Falls and may not be familiar with our snow removal operations, please share this information with them. We want people to be informed and prepared before we issue a snow event,” states Public Information Officer Kerry Hammon. 

The snow removal parking restriction ordinance started at midnight on Nov. 14 and extends through midnight on March 15, whenever a snow event occurs.  A snow event is defined as an occurrence in which more than two inches of snow accumulates on the roadway. 

A snow event means that parking restrictions are in place for all city streets, that snow plows will begin plowing streets on a priority basis, and that property owners must remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours following the cessation of the precipitation.  

When the City issues a snow event, the public will be notified using multiple communication methods, including all local media outlets, the City of Idaho Falls Facebook and Twitter pages, electronic message boards, text messages, and the City website. A printed version of the snow removal map and procedures was sent with the November utility bills.  

“We recently improved our citizen notification system to reach more people using email, text messages and voice,” explains Hammon. 

Sign up for city notifications by clicking here or by going to www.idahofalls.gov and clicking on the blue Stay Informed button.  Residents can select which type of information they would like to receive and how they receive it, including snow removal parking restrictions.

Citizens who already subscribed to receive snow removal parking restrictions through the City’s prior texting system do not have to subscribe again. Those users were migrated over to the new system. 

An online interactive snow removal map keeps residents informed about where the snow plows have been, where they are going next, and how snow removal is prioritized.  

All of this information and more can be found on the City of Idaho Falls Public Works webpage. 

Media Note: For more information or to schedule an interview with city staff, contact Public Information Officer, Kerry Hammon.