With the impending snow expected to come through Jefferson this week, the city’s snow ordinance may go into effect.

Police Chief Mark Clouse says when the snow ordinance is in effect after there’s at least one-half inch of accumulated snowfall, there is no parking on city streets, alleyways or city-owned off-street parking, until the snow stops falling and the streets have been cleared from curb to curb. He talks about when his officers will consider issuing snow ordinance violation citations.

“We do not just drive (around) town and look for cars parked, and write those citations. We actually wait until the plow goes around your vehicle. That way you have every opportunity to get that vehicle moved.”  

Additionally, Clouse notes there’s no parking from 2-6am in the two block radius around the downtown square until the snow has been cleared from curb to curb, which could be more than one day.

“These are important ordinances to allow the street guys to move that snow and it makes it safer for all of us to drive around town, and we aren’t getting it packed on the streets, and making them rough. So very important ordinances and it’s an ordinance that we do enforce (that ordinance).”   

Clouse adds they can also have vehicles towed at any time, depending on the situation during a snow event.