Tri-Cities snow rules: parking bans, plowing and sidewalks

Tri-Cities parking bans kick in at 2 or 3 inches of snow, and each city counts a little differently. Here is how St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia handle parking, plowing and sidewalks.

Batavia: 2 inches clears every street

Batavia has the simplest rule. Parking is banned on any city street during or after a snowfall of 2 inches or more. The ban lasts until the streets are cleared or 24 hours after the snow stops, whichever comes first.

Crews aim to get primary streets to bare pavement during a storm. Secondary streets come next and may stay snow-packed depending on conditions. Cul-de-sacs are plowed after both, once snow passes 2 inches, and the city notes they take much longer to clear. Kane County plows Kirk, Randall, Fabyan and Main Street west of Randall.

Do not shovel, blow or plow snow into the street. Residents and property owners are responsible for clearing their own sidewalks and driveways, and the city asks people to keep walks open for kids heading to school. On snowy collection days, set garbage and recycling carts back from the curb, never in the street.

Geneva: 2 inches on snow routes, 3 inches everywhere else

Geneva's posted Snow Routes are the busier, faster streets. Parking on them is banned automatically once snow and ice reach 2 inches. Violators face a $35 ticket and can be towed.

On secondary streets, parking is banned for 12 hours after a snowfall of 3 inches or more, unless the whole block has already been plowed curb to curb. That ticket is $30, and towing is possible. The city recommends moving cars off the street as soon as a storm shows up in the forecast.

Plows clear Snow Routes first, then secondary streets, alleys, cul-de-sacs and dead ends. In a big storm, secondary streets get one pass in each direction so residents and emergency vehicles can get through, then everything is plowed curb to curb once the snow ends. For light snow under an inch, crews salt Snow Routes, school areas, hills, curves and stop-sign intersections.

The city plows State Street (Route 38), Route 25 and Route 31 under an agreement with IDOT. Kane County handles Kirk, Fabyan, Randall, Keslinger and Peck roads and part of Kaneville Road.

Geneva encourages residents to clear the sidewalks next to their homes. Residents and contractors are not allowed to push snow from private property onto public sidewalks, streets or fire hydrants. Clearing snow in front of a curbside mailbox is the homeowner's job.

St. Charles: snow route ban at 2 inches, citywide at 3

St. Charles marks its snow routes with blue signs. The snow route parking ban takes effect when 2 inches have fallen and more snow is expected. Police start enforcing about an hour after that 2-inch mark.

A citywide street parking ban may follow once 3 inches or more have accumulated and full plowing is underway. Enforcement again starts about an hour after the 3-inch mark, and cars may be towed to a cleared street or lot. If you have no off-street spot, you may park on the parkway during a storm, but cars need to go back on the street once plows have reached the curb.

Plowing usually starts when 1.5 inches have fallen and at least 2 inches are forecast. Crews begin with main snow routes and downtown, then move into secondary roads as snow reaches 2 inches. A full plow covers every street, cul-de-sac, alley and city lot, with the goal of finishing by the next morning's rush hour. Salt and brine go first to hills, bridges and major intersections.

Sidewalk rules depend on where you live. Property owners in the Downtown Snow District are required by city code to clear their sidewalks. Outside downtown it is not required, but the city encourages it.

Before the first storm

• Know whether your street is a posted snow route.
• Move cars off the street when snow is in the forecast, especially overnight.
• Pull basketball hoops and other items off the parkway so plows do not hit them.
• Sign up for your city's alerts. Geneva posts bans in its online Alert Center, and St. Charles offers STC Alerts.