As Guthrie County residents brace themselves for another winter, the larger communities are advising people to abide by their snow ordinances.

The City of Guthrie Center’s code states that when two or more inches of snow has been received or ice is covering entire street surfaces, the City will implement an emergency parking ban. During this time no one shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any vehicle on any residential street, alley, or City-owned off-street parking area. The ban will last until snow has ceased to fall and has been plowed from the streets. Vehicles parked in violation of the ban may be towed at the owner’s expense, fined, or both. It is also the responsibility of the abutting property owner to remove snow and ice promptly from sidewalks. Otherwise the City may do so and assess the costs against the property owner.

For the City of Panora, no one shall leave their vehicle on any public street, alley, or City-owned off-street parking area that is not zoned business commercial during the period of time when snow is falling and for 48 hours after snowfall has ceased, unless already plowed from said street. Parking is allowed on the west side of North 1st Street between Main and Market streets anytime during and after snowfall. If property owners don’t remove or treat snow or ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after an event, the City may do so or hire a private contractor and assess the costs against said owner.

In the City of Stuart, parking is prohibited on public streets, alleys, or City-owned off-street parking areas regardless of snow between the hours of 2-6 a.m. from now until April 1st. Any time snow removal operations are in progress, parking is prohibited on City streets, alleys, or city-owned off-street parking. If abutting property owners do not remove snow or ice from sidewalks within 48 hours of an event, the City may do so and assess the costs against the property owner.