Snow Plowing

City snow plow and salt

The Edina Public Works Department takes a great deal of pride in the service that it provides to the residents of this community. During the winter months, nearly all members of the Public Works Department work on snow and ice control

When Snow or Ice Control Operations Begin

  • Snow accumulation of 1.5 inches or more
  • Drifting of snow that causes problems for travel
  • Icy conditions that seriously affect travel

Winter Parking Rules

No vehicle may be parked on an Edina street, highway or alley under the following conditions:

  • When 1.5 inches or more of snow has fallen, until it has been plowed to the curbline
  • From 1 to 6 a.m. Nov. 1 to March 31, regardless of weather or forecast
  • For six or more consecutive hours, unless otherwise signed (enforceable year-round)

Street Plowing Priority

Primary: Major roads and those that provide access to medical services, fire stations, police and other critical services are plowed first. Those are followed by other key transportation streets, including those that provide access to schools and businesses.

Secondary: Residential streets.

Alleys: Plowed by a separate vehicle, usually along with or after secondary routes.

Timing: Depending on storm severity and length, primary routes may be plowed several times before secondary routes. Crews try to plow secondary routes only once per storm, if reasonable, so homeowners only need to clear the end of their driveway one time.

Edina Snow Plow Routes Map (PDF)

Snow Storage

  • Snow is plowed to clear roads for transportation.
  • Snow plows cannot "skip" your driveway.
  • Snow deposits from plows may be uneven from home to home due to a variety of factors including corner lots, snow accumulation along the road and plowing patterns.
  • It is illegal to push plowed snow back into the street

Sidewalk Clearing

  • Residents or property owners are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks along their property. This includes snow deposited by plowing.
  • City crews will clear the city-maintained sidewalk areas after streets have been plowed.

Mailbox Damage

  • Only mailboxes actually hit by a snowplow will be the responsibility of the City. 
  • The City will not be responsible for damage to mailboxes or support posts caused by snow or ice coming into contact with the mailbox. 
  • At the mailbox owner’s request, the City will replace the mailbox with a standard-size, non-decorative metal mailbox and replace the support post as necessary with a 4x4 decay-resistant wood support post, both installed by the City. Alternatively, the City will reimburse the mailbox owner $100 for the replacement of the mailbox and post by others.

Lawn Damage

Often, plow drivers literally "feel" their way along streets because of conditions, and, regrettably, lawns are cut up. 

If your lawn is damaged by a City of Edina snow plow, please report it via the Edina 311 app, through this online form or by calling Street Maintenance at 952-826-0303. 

Damages are repaired each spring with black dirt and seed or sod.

Safety Tips

  • Plows travel slower than other vehicles. Reduce your speed.
  • Never drive into a snow cloud.
  • Don't pass snowplow vehicles while they're plowing.
  • Keep your distance from trucks spreading sand.
  • Stay away from the end of a driveway when a snowplow is approaching.
  • Keep sleds and toys away from the street when they're not being used.
  • Don't build snow forts in the snow piles on the boulevard.
  • Stay out from behind snow removal equipment. Frequent backing is necessary during plowing, and visibility to the rear is very limited.
  • Keep garbage cans up in the driveway if it snows on garbage collection day.