The Fire Department asks residents to shovel out fire hydrants near their homes. Keeping fire hydrants clear of snow helps firefighters and fire equipment gain quick access in an emergency. More information about Adopt a Hydrant.

Inspect your mailbox post each fall and replace those that are deteriorating to prevent mailboxes from being toppled by heavy snow or plowing activities.

Residents are asked to clear snow in front of mailboxes to ensure postal deliveries. Snowplow drivers are not able to clear snow directly in front of mailboxes, as plows may knock down and damage posts – especially with heavy wet snow.

If it snows on garbage or recycling collection day, keep garbage cans and recycling carts a few feet back in the driveway – out of the street. This will allow plow drivers to more thoroughly clear the street and will help prevent carts from being toppled by plowing activities. With questions about garbage collection, contact your garbage hauler.

It is unlawful to shovel, plow or blow snow into the street (Plymouth City Code Section 1310.05, Subd. 5). Blowing snow in the street makes it more difficult to clear streets (especially cul-de-sacs).

After each snow storm, city plows and homeowners are out trying to clear away snow as quickly as possible. Some homeowners are frustrated when the city snowplow fills their already-cleared driveway with snow.

Recommendation: To minimize plows filling an already-cleared driveway with snow, residents should pile shoveled snow downstream of plowing operations – on the right side of the driveway when facing the street – as shown in the illustration, to avoid having the snowplow push it back onto the driveway. Residents should clear a pocket on the left side of the driveway (when facing the street) for plows to drop snow.

City staff thanks residents for their cooperation and patience during snow storms.

View snowplow safety tips.