With the winter season upon us and colder temperatures outside, the city of Jefferson is reminding everyone of the snow emergency ordinance.

Public Works Director Dave Morlan says when there is at least one-half inch of accumulated snowfall, the snow ordinance is in effect, which means parked vehicles are required to be moved from city streets.

“People just need to get their vehicles off the street until the road has been fully cleared. So when I say that, typically the plows will go out and they’ll make a pass down and a pass back that’s opening the street, (and) that’s only getting the center (of the road). After they’ve opened all the streets, they’ll turn around and come back and they’ll start pushing it back to the curb. So the snow has been fully pushed back to the curb, then they can park on the street again.”

Morlan adds that the snow ordinance is a bit different for the downtown square. He says parking is prohibited on the square from 2-6am when the snow ordinance is in effect. Morlan explains that crews will extend the no parking from 2-6am for two consecutive days to allow snow removal crews to clear the roads the first day, and then clear it again the next day after the businesses push snow from the sidewalk into the street. If vehicles are found to be in violation of the overall ordinance, the owners can face a fine and a citation.