Snow Emergency Rules

Snow Removal and Ice Control Policy


Don't Get Tagged or Towed

Snow emergencies will always be declared before 5 pm and take effect at midnight. Information on the snow emergency will be provided to local media.

Residents are encouraged to sign up to receive snow emergency notifications via email or text message through Nixle or to call the City information line at 507-934-0675, ext. 1 for snow emergency information. If you choose to call the City information line, please do so after 5 pm to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Declaration of Snow Emergencies

Once a Snow Emergency is declared:

  1. There is no parking on any of the posted snow emergency routes for the entire 48 hour period even if the street has been plowed curb-to-curb.
  2. Beginning at 12 midnight, for two days, there is no parking on residential streets from midnight until 7 am. Even if the street has been plowed curb-to-curb.
  3. Beginning at 2 am, for two days, there is no parking on downtown streets from 2 am. Until 6 am. Even if the street has been plowed curb-to-curb.

Vehicles parked in violation of the snow emergency regulations will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

Snow Routes

Snow Emergency Routes include:

  • Broadway Avenue from South Third Street to Jefferson Avenue
  • College Avenue from South Minnesota Avenue to South Seventh Street
  • Grace Street from South Fourth Street to Sunrise Drive
  • Jefferson Avenue from South Minnesota Avenue to Broadway Avenue
  • Nicollet Avenue from Highway 22 to Highway 99
  • North Sunrise Drive from Dodd Avenue to Mason Street
  • Saint Julien Street from North Minnesota Avenue to North Washington Avenue
  • Sunrise Drive from Grace Street to Traverse Road
  • Traverse Road from North Washington Avenue to Nicollet Avenue
  • Washington Avenue from Highway 169 to Bunker Lane

View the No Maintenance Trails and Sidewalks Map (PDF).

Free Municipal Lots for Use During Snow Emergencies

If off-street parking is a problem, please make arrangements now. There are free municipal parking lots which can be used in snow emergencies. These lots will be plowed only after 24 hours posted notice. Many churches and businesses also have private lots which might be used with permission. The City will not be issuing any parking permits except for medical emergencies.

Municipal parking lots which may be used during snow emergencies include:

#1 - City Hall South Parking Lot - 227 South Front Street

#2 - CenturyLink Building West Parking Lot - 100 Nassau Street

#3 - 100 block of West Nassau Street (behind Arrow Hardware and Godfather's Pizza)

#4 - 200 block of Park Row (West of the South bound alley).

#5 - Roy T. Lindenberg Outdoor Swimming Pool Parking Lot - 300 North Fourth Street

#6 - Jefferson Park - 900 Menk Drive (ballfield parking lot)

#7 - Public Works Parking Lot - 405 Saint Julien Street

Snow Removal Map

Please note the Community Center is not designated as a lot which can be used during a snow emergency. Vehicles parked overnight in the lot may be towed at the owner's expense.