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Snow Emergency Phases and Procedures
For the purpose of updating the City of Annapolis snow emergency plan via Chapter 12.40 of the City Code; changing the City officials who are consulted before a phase is proclaimed; removing the requirement that vehicles on snow emergency routes have chains or snow tires; repealing the offense of operating a vehicle on a snow emergency route without chains or snow tires; and generally relating to snow emergencies.
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City Council of the
City of Annapolis
Ordinance 31-26
Introduced by: Mayor Littmann
Co-sponsored by:
Referred to:
● Public Safety Committee
● Transportation Committee
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Snow Emergency Phases and Procedures
FOR the purpose of updating the City of Annapolis snow emergency plan via Chapter 12.40 of the City Code; changing the City officials who are consulted before a phase is proclaimed; removing the requirement that vehicles on snow emergency routes have chains or snow tires; repealing the offense of operating a vehicle on a snow emergency route without chains or snow tires; and generally relating to snow emergencies.
BY repealing and reenacting with amendments the following portions of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2026 Edition:
● Section 12.40.010
● Section 12.40.030
● Section 12.40.040
BY repealing the following portion of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2026 Edition:
● Section 12.40.050
BY renumbering and reenacting without amendments the following portion of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2026 Edition:
● Section 12.40.060, to be Section 12.40.050
SECTION I: BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the Code of the City of Annapolis shall be amended to read as follows:
City Code Title 12 - Vehicles and Traffic
Chapter 12.40 Snow Emergencies
Section 12.40.010 Streets designated-Parking prohibited.
Upon consultation with other City departments and review by the Parking and Traffic Advisory Board, the Director of Public Works shall designate certain streets as "snow emergency routes." A person may not park any vehicle upon a snow emergency route at any time when Phase II, or Phase III, or Phase IV of the snow emergency plan is in effect as provided by this chapter.
Section 12.40.030 Snow emergency plan.
A. The intent of the snow plan is to provide a systematic program to maximize the efficiency of vehicular and pedestrian traffic movement on the City streets during and following a snowfall. The plan shall optimize the use of City resources and shall be coordinated with the efforts of other jurisdictions. The plan provides a multi-level response keyed to the various storm intensities and weather forecasts. The plan focuses upon arterial and collector streets, high employment centers, schools, transit routes, health and emergency services.
B. The snow emergency plan, in accordance with the phases set forth in this section, may be declared when it is determined that an emergency exists by reason of hazardous street conditions created by snow, sleet or freezing rain. Notice shall be given to the general public through local radio, television, news services and other information providers that the snow emergency plan is in effect. When the snow emergency plan is terminated, the general public shall be given notice of termination in the same manner as stated in this section.
C. A snow emergency route is a street so designated by the Director of Public Works and so marked. Vehicular traffic is restricted when a snow emergency is declared in accordance with the following phases:
1. Phase I may be proclaimed by the Director of Public Works after consultation with the Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management. There are no parking or travel restrictions. upon the advice of the Chief of Police. Phase I requires that all vehicles operating on snow emergency routes be equipped with chains or snow tires.As applicable to § 12.40.050, Phase I does not constitute a snow emergency.
2. Phase II may be proclaimed by the Director of Public Works after consultation with the Chief of Police and Director of Emergency Management. upon the advice of the Chief of Police. Phase II requires thatmeans vehicular parking shall be banned on snow emergency routes. Vehicles parked or abandoned on the snow emergency routes willshall be subject to towing.
3. Phase III may be proclaimed by the Mayor after consultation with the Director of Public Works, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Director of Emergency Management. Phase III means traffic shall be restricted to essential travel. All vehicles shall be prohibited from operating on any street except snow equipment, emergency vehicles or other vehicles authorized by the Mayor.
4. Phase IV may be proclaimed by the Mayor after consultation with the Director of Public Works, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and Director of Emergency Management. Phase IV means all vehicles shall be prohibited from operating on any street except snow equipment, emergency vehicles or other vehicles authorized by the Mayor.
4.5. The restrictions of pPhase II continue to prevail after pPhase III is proclaimed. The restrictions of pPhases II and III continue to prevail after pPhase IIIIV is proclaimed.
Section 12.40.040 Depositing snow on cleared street.
A. A person may not deposit, or cause to be deposited, snow, sleet or ice on a street designated a snow emergency route after the street has been cleared by snow removal equipment. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 14.20.110, iIt is permissible for any owner or occupant of property abutting a snow emergency route to clear only three-fourths of the width of the sidewalk in front of the property, using the other one-fourth to deposit the snow, sleet or ice removed, if no other convenient area is available for depositing the snow, sleet or ice upon the property, in order to prevent depositing the same in a cleared street.
B. A person who violates this section is guilty of a municipal infraction as defined by Chapter 1.20 and is subject to a fine as established by resolution of the City Council.
Section 12.40.050 Operating vehicle without chains or snow tires.
A person operating a vehicle upon a snow emergency route without chains or adequate snow tires on the rear wheels of the vehicle, while a snow emergency is in effect, is guilty of a misdemeanor if the vehicle becomes stalled or incapable of proceeding under its own power.
Section 12.40.060 050 Removal of parked and stalled vehicles.
A. When a snow emergency is in effect, no person shall leave any vehicle parked, stalled, incapable of proceeding under its own power, or unattended upon any street designated as a snow emergency route.
B. Any person who violates this section is guilty of a municipal infraction as defined by Chapter 1.20 and is subject to a fine as established by resolution of the City Council.
C. The Police Department or the authorized agent may take possession of, remove, tow away and impound any vehicle found upon a snow emergency route in violation of paragraph (A). The owner or operator of the vehicle shall reclaim the vehicle pursuant to the terms of Section§ 12.20.220.
SECTION II: AND BE IT FINALLY ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this ordinance shall take effect upon passage.