Snow and Ice Control

For all the latest on snow emergencies in Mankato,
call (507) 387-9001, 24-hour service.

Snow and ice season information. Mankato's Public Works staff is committed to innovative service delivery.  City staff strives to provide safe winter driving conditions.  It is Mankato's policy to focus on main roads within the city until a snow event has ended--then the focal point will shift to residential streets. The public works staff keeps a close eye on the weather.  Their goal is to apply an anti-icing agent on hills and bridge decks before snow falls and ice forms, because anti-icing chemicals help return the roadway to normal driving conditions faster.  However, during major snow events the following hills will be closed:  Parkway Avenue, Monks Avenue, Warren Street and Stadium Road.  One lane in either direction will be cleared on all other major hills until the snow event has ended. When a snow emergency is in effect, there is no parking on any *city street so snow can be removed quickly and safely.

When are snow emergencies called?
Generally, snow emergencies will be called after receiving 3 inches of snow and/or ice.  The media will be notified, the 24-hour snow emergency line updated (387-9001) and email and text messages will be sent to those who subscribe.  Every reasonable attempt will be made to provide as much advance notice as possible before towing begins.  Ideally, the need for any towing would be eliminated. 

Emergency response
During snow and ice conditions, emergency calls from police and fire are given top priority in snowplowing efforts.  If an emergency situation arises during a snowfall or storm and the street is not passable, call 911.

*Exception:
"Seasonal no parking" streets are the only exception.  For people parked on the "seasonal no parking" streets, it is not necessary to move your vehicle until a snowplow clears the street.  Then your vehicle should be moved to the plowed side of the street.  Once the snowplow finishes the street, return your vehicle to the legal side of the street. 

Sidewalk snow removal
Section 6.03 of the Mankato City Code says that any accumulation of snow or ice upon any public sidewalk is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance.  It shall be abated by the owner or occupant of the property abutting such sidewalk within 12 hours after such snow or ice has ceased to be deposited upon such sidewalk.

If the owner or occupant abutting any public sidewalk fails to remove the nuisance within 24 hours, the city of Mankato will remove the nuisance and charge the property owner for the removal.  It is unlawful for any person to remove snow from private property and place it on public property. 

Sidewalk Snow Removal
Section 6.03 of the Mankato City Code says that any accumulation of snow or ice upon any public sidewalk is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance which shall be abated by the owner or occupant of the property abutting such sidewalk within 12 hours after such snow or ice has ceased to be deposited upon such sidewalk.

If the owner or occupant abutting any public sidewalk fails to remove the nuisance within 24 hours, the City of Mankato will remove the nuisance and charge the property owner for the removal.

It is unlawful for any person to remove snow from private property and place snow or ice on public property.

Help Us Help You

• It's important to relocate vehicles parked on a city street every 24 hours to prevent towing
• Call 911 to report the location and license plate of a vehicle that has been parked on a city street for more than 24 hours
• Shovels, snowblowers, sand and rock salt are all great items to have on hand during snow season.  Please do not shovel or blow snow on to Mankato streets.  It is a violation of city ordinance.
• Snow and ice removal is a difficult and time-consuming job. Patience is appreciated as city staff works diligently to restore streets to normal winter driving conditions.
• Please remove vehicles from the street when it snows.  This way we can keep our commitment to remove snow as quickly as possible. The city strives to minimize or, ideally, eliminate towing.

Going Out of Town?
This information may be helpful:

24-hour Minnesota Department of Transportation Travel Information
1-800-542-0220

Minnesota Department of Transportation web site

Snow and Ice Control Information

Snow Emergency Information (24 hour)	(507) 387-9001
Plowing, salting, snow routes, parking information	(507) 387-8674