Snow Center

What We Do

The Baltimore City Snow Center is your go-to source for snow-related information and services. We cover:

• Keeping you updated:
  • If bad weather causes any disturbances, we’ll be the first to let you know all the details.
• Plowing the streets:
  • When winter arrives, our dedicated Snow Team ensures city streets (primary routes) are cleared first, followed by residential streets (secondary routes). Alleys will not be plowed by Baltimore City.
• Collecting the trash:
  • During a snowstorm, City employees will help collect your trash, recycling, and bulk items as soon as they can. (Be sure to stay informed about any schedule changes through local news outlets, social media, and the City of Baltimore website.)
• Bike lanes:
  • We have dedicated vehicles to help clear the bike paths so you can continue to travel safely.

The Baltimore City Snow Center also ensures residents with disabilities are taken care of in the case of bad weather. Our goal is to provide information, safety, and accessibility to the community.

What to Know When It Snows 

When the Baltimore City Snow Team is ready to clear the streets, residential (secondary) routes are treated after primary routes like highways. After heavy plows finish their routes, they are redeployed to support the light plows working on residential routes.  

Baltimore City does not plow alleys. But the City will plow bike lanes and trails. 
 

Trash and Recycling 

Trash, recycling, and bulk items will be collected if it is safe for City employees. Announcements will be made to local news outlets, social media pages, and DPW's website if collections will be affected due to inclement weather. 
 

Shoveling at Home

If you are shoveling snow on your property, place snow/ice in the tree box or the grassy area next to the sidewalk. If there is no tree box or grassy area, please place the snow/ice on the sidewalk next to the curb but not in the street or bicycle lane. 
  

Parking and Driving

When Phase II and/or Phase III of the city's snow emergency plan is in effect, motorists may not park on snow emergency routes (indicated by white and black signs). Vehicles parked along snow emergency routes may be ticketed with a $52 fine and then relocated to a safe location.  

• If a snow emergency is declared, DO NOT park your car on Snow Emergency Routes. 
• Black and white snow emergency route signs generally are posted higher on the pole than the other signs, so look up to the top of the pole to make sure you are parked legally. 
• Parking is banned on these routes to allow unimpeded curb-to-curb salting and/or plowing. 

For more information about Parking During a Snow Emergency, click here.