As the winter storm warning takes effect today, Stuart residents are reminded that snow ordinances are in effect.

Stuart Police Chief Dave Reha says there’s an easy way to make sure you’re in compliance with the ordinance.

“What I always try to tell people is it’s easier if you have that vehicle off the street before you go to bed. A lot of times in the past, we’d have snow coming in and people would not realize the snow is coming in, so they’d leave their cars on the street at 4 o’clock in the morning when the snow guys are out removing snow and now there’s cars out there blocking the road. It’s always better to get off the streets before going to bed. That way we don’t have to try to wake you up or do something the next morning with cars out on the street.

Parking bans are in effect for all periods of snowfall in Stuart and Panora and any accumulation of at least two inches of snow or ice in Guthrie Center. Property owners must also remove snow and ice accumulations promptly from sidewalks or risk fines for the cost of removal.