Winter Weather Operations
During winter weather, the City will continuously monitor conditions and implement a Snow Action Plan. The City will spread salt and/or brine on streets to prevent snow from bonding to pavement and will commence to plowing operations as needed. Plowing operations will focus on keeping emergency snow routes clear. When those streets are cleared, plowing will continue on other streets.
Stay Informed, Be Prepared
Residents are advised to monitor weather reports and prepare accordingly. The City will provide information through the local media, the City website, www.hobokennj.org, Twitter, Facebook, Channel 78 on Cablevision, and other means. Residents can sign up for the City’s Reverse 911 system and to receive alerts directly from the City via email or text messages through the Nixle system.
Parking can be more difficult than usual when it snows. Residents may need to move their cars from snow emergency routes to avoid towing, and on-street parking may be more scarce if parking lanes are filled with snow. If snow or ice is predicted, residents who park on-street may wish to consider moving their vehicle to a garage. The City offers overnight parking (8pm to 8am) at a rate of $5.00. This rate is available in Garage B (28 2nd Street), Garage D (215 Hudson Street) and the Midtown Garage (371 4th Street) every day of the year. If the City declares a snow emergency, residents with a valid resident or temporary parking permit may park in Garage B for a rate of $5 per day until the end of the snow emergency.
Sidewalks
Property owners/occupants have six (6) hours after the completion of a storm to remove snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property, along with adjoining wheelchair ramps or curb cuts. At least a 4 foot path or 2/3 of the width of the sidewalk (whichever is greater) should be cleared. If a sidewalk is less than 4 feet wide, the entire width must be cleared. Apply salt or sand if needed. It is illegal to shovel snow back into the street or on a fire hydrant. Residents in multi-unit buildings with management companies should ensure that they are aware of City regulations in order to avoid fines. Residents are encouraged to assist elderly or disabled neighbors and to clear snow from fire hydrants.
The City is responsible for clearing sidewalks around City-owned properties.
The City performs proactive inspections and also relies on citizen complaints to help us identify those property owners that are not meeting sidewalk safety requirements. The vast majority of property owners comply with these regulations, but the City will issue fines to those who do not keep sidewalks clear. To report a violation, call the Department of Environmental Services at 201-420-2012 or submit a complaint online here.
Emergency Snow Routes
Emergency Snow Routes in Hoboken are labeled with street signs that read “No Parking When Road Is Snow Covered.” When streets are snow covered OR when a snow emergency is declared, no parking is permitted on these streets. Vehicles parked on snow emergency routes are subject to towing. This is necessary to move police, fire and ambulances throughout Hoboken in time of emergency for the safety and welfare of all our citizens.
Click here to download a map of Hoboken Emergency Snow Routes [pdf]. |
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Snow Emergency
During winter weather events, the City will continually monitor weather forecasts and conditions. Based on snowfall, predicted snowfall, and other factors, the City may declare a snow emergency, which triggers a variety of responsibilities for the City and its citizens. A Snow Emergency declaration activates:
- Operations Command Center
- Public notification
- Parking restrictions
- Discounted garage parking
- Suspended trash pickup
- Suspension of Hop shuttle service*
- Restrictions on Taxi/Limo service*
Operations Command Center
The City will open an Operations Command Center during a declared snow emergency. Residents may call the Command Center at 201-420-2230.
Public Notification
When a snow emergency is declared, notification will be made via:
- A Reverse 911 message (sign up at www.hobokennj.org/emergency)
- An announcement to media outlets
- The City website (www.hobokennj.org), Twitter (twitter.com/cityofhoboken) and Facebook (facebook.com/hoboken)
- The Nixle messaging service (sign up at http://www.hobokennj.org/alerts)
- A reverse 911 call and/or text message/email to residents/parking permit holders whose information is on file
- Electronic message signs posted at entrances to the City, when possible
- Channel 78 on Cablevision
Parking Restrictions
When a snow emergency has been declared, vehicles may not park along designated snow emergency routes. Vehicles parked on snow emergency routes are subject to towing. During a snow emergency, alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended.
When the end of a snow emergency event has been declared, there will be a 24 hour grace period during which parking rules will remain suspended. Enforcement of parking rules will resume at 12:01am on the day following the 24 hour period.
Vehicles that are not moved during posted street cleaning times will receive a summons. If a vehicle remains parked for an additional 48 hours, it will be considered abandoned and be subject to towing.
Discounted Garage Parking
When a snow emergency has been declared, $5 per day discounted parking will be made available in Garage B, located at 215 Hudson Street. The rate is valid until the snow emergency has been lifted and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis to residents with valid resident or temporary parking permit.
Suspended Trash Pickup
During a snow emergency, all trash pickups are suspended. If there is no snow emergency, trash will be picked up on regular scheduled days.
*The following additional measures will take effect at a specified time, depending on weather and road conditions:
Suspension of Hop shuttle service
The Hop shuttle system will suspend operations.
Restrictions on Taxi/Limo service
Taxis and limos without snow tires or chains will be banned from operating.
Submit a Complaint/Request
Residents can submit snow-related complaints or request service through the City’s online service request system:
- Report an unplowed street
- Report an unshoveled sidewalk
- Report snow in a crosswalk
- Report a covered fire hydrant
- Report a covered storm drain
Snow Dumping Locations
When there is a large snowfall, the City will pile and remove snow from streets. The City will use 17th Street (a dirt road) as the primary snow dumping location. If this area becomes full, Vezzetti Way (parallel to Observer Highway) from Willow Avenue to Washington Street will be used.
Important Contact Information
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency (Police): (201) 420-2100
Environmental Services Department: (201) 420-2012
Operations Command Center (when snow emergency is in effect): (201) 420-2230
Snow Removal Fleet
Environmental Services
- Five (5) small trucks with plows
- Two (2) large trucks with salt spreader and plows
- One (1) Jeep with plow
- One (1) payloader
- One (1) small dump truck with salt spreader
- Two (2) 20 yard roll-off dumpsters
- One (1) Bobcat
Parking Utility
- Two (2) small trucks with plows
Parks Department
- Two (2) small trucks with plow
Fire Department
- Two (2) SUV’s with plow
Additional vehicles may be brought in from outside vendors if conditions warrant.
FAQ
When will my street be plowed?
Crews are provided with routes and will plow streets in priority order. The top priority is to maintain snow emergency routes clear. Once they have been cleared, crews will move on to other major, high volume streets, and finally all other streets. If your street was missed or not cleared well enough, you can notify the City online or by calling the Department of Environmental Services at 201-420-2012.
I moved my car for street cleaning, but my street was not plowed.
After a snow emergency has been ended, the City requires that cars be moved during regularly scheduled street cleaning days. This is done in order to enable the City to clear snow from parking lanes to free up more parking. Alternate side parking regulations only last for one hour on most streets, and since snow removal is a much more time and labor-intensive process than street sweeping, the City will attempt to clear snow from as many blocks as possible, but may not be able to reach all streets during the first street sweeping day. Unfortunately, cars that remain parked will delay the ability to clear parking lanes, so we ask for everyone’s participation so we can restore parking as quickly as possible.
Why is it important to keep sidewalks clear?
In Hoboken, everyone is a pedestrian, and for many residents, walking is their primary or only mode of travel. Icy and snow-packed sidewalks are dangerous and may force people to walk into streets. Keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice is important so that our community remains safe – especially children, the elderly, and disabled. We urge residents to assist elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing snow from their properties.
