While we haven’t had much snow so far this winter, you know it’s going to come sometime. This is a great time to review Albany’s Snow Emergency plan.

When a major snow storm occurs, a snow emergency will be declared. Normal parking regulations are temporarily suspended. Parking is allowed only on the even side of the street for the first 24 hours after a snow emergency has been declared. After that, residents must move their vehicles to the odd numbered side of streets for the next 24 hours or until the emergency is declared over. Once the snow emergency is officially declared over, all normal parking rules and regulations will be in effect.

CARS WILL BE TOWED if they interfere with snow removal. If your car has been towed, call 438-4000 to find out where your car is. You must then retrieved it directly from the towing company. Parking tickets can be paid online (www.albanyny.gov) or you can pay in person at City Hall.

The city no longer suspends recycling during a snow emergency. Over time, the Department of General Services has implemented critical changes in the snow operational plan and is now able to effectively execute snow removalwithout suspending recycling pick up.

When snow falls it is imperative that property owners keep the sidewalks adjacent to their property clear for pedestrians in wheelchairs and pedestrian walkers to safely pass by. According to City Code 323-21/22, it is the responsibility of all property owners’ and/or residents to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm.

The Department of General Services is responsible for enforcing the code. If your property is not cleared of snow/ ice within 24 hours of a snowfall, DGS may then perform the removal of snow and ice from the sidewalk. The removal cost will be billed to the property owner and may result in a $100 fine for each occurrence.

If you would like to report a concern regarding snow and ice removal please call the Department of General Services at 434-CITY (2489). When calling, please be sure to have the exact address and cross streets of the location you are calling about.

Subscribers to the city’s Emergency Alert System. will be notified when Albany declares a snow emergency or when road closures occur. Go to www.nyalert.gov and then click “Sign up for NY-Alerts” on the left.