Snow & Storm Emergencies

Snow and Storm Emergencies
Snow emergencies will be announced on most area radio and TV stations during and after heavy snowfall. The City of Wauwatosa sends local text alerts when a snow emergency has been declared. Sign up for local text alerts.
Reminders:
  • During a snow emergency, parking is not allowed on any city streets. Vehicles will be ticketed.
  • Whether you hire a snowplowing service or do it yourself, please remember that it is illegal to blow or push snow into roadways and city medians.
  • City vehicles that handle snow and ice removal are emergency vehicles. Do not follow them too closely: if you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, we can’t see you.
A white snow plow truck with a blue plow attachment clears snow from a residential street during a snowstorm.

Property Owner Snow Removal

Under a local ordinance, snow and ice must be cleared within 24 hours after snow has stopped falling. Wauwatosa property owners must clear snow and ice from:

  • Public sidewalks next to your property
  • Wide multi‐use paths next to your property (you must clear at least 5 feet. Multi‐use paths are usually 10‐12 feet wide)
    • Commercial property owners and residential properties with five or more units must clear the entire width of the multi‐use path
  • Bus stops next to your property (other than Milwaukee County Bus Rapid Transit stops)
Removal Tips
  • Shovel to the right. To help reduce the amount of snow plowed in front of your driveway, we recommend shoveling snow to the right side of your driveway as you face the street or waiting to remove snow until after the plow comes by. With very heavy snowfalls, crews may have to make multiple passes or clean up the next day which may again place snow in your driveway. Unfortunately, some of these plow techniques are the only way to make our roads safe.
  • Clear fire hydrants. Clear a 3×3 foot area around the hydrant on your block. Keeping them clear provides easier access to water and saves important time during an emergency.
Complaints and Fees

When the city receives a complaint that a sidewalk has not been cleared after 24 hours of the snow event, our staff will clear the sidewalk and charge the property owner for the service. Sidewalks are inspected on a complaint basis. Work completed by us is charged as follows:

  • $100 dispatch fee
  • $0.25 per linear foot
Submit a snow or ice complaint

Collection Services During Snow Events

Garbage and recycling collections are completed on your scheduled collection day, regardless of the weather. Please remember:
  • Place carts in the apron of your driveway or shovel out space next to your driveway if necessary. Don’t place carts on sidewalks.
  • Don’t place carts in roadways or alleyways to avoid being struck or buried by plows.
  • Don’t place carts on snowdrifts.
  • Backyard collection subscribers should keep a clear path at least 3.5 feet wide from the street to your garbage/recycling storage area.

Wind and Storm Damage

Severe storms, windy weather and other conditions may down City trees and branches, which can present public obstructions or do other damage. When notified, we promptly remove such obstructions in roadways and public areas.

If you find a downed City tree or limb that has fallen on a structure or utility line, or is completely blocking traffic, please call (414) 471-8422 immediately. Flooding and sewer back-ups may also occur from storms, and should also be reported immediately. Branches or limbs from a City tree that are not posing an immediate hazard can be reported to us online.

Storm Debris Collection
Additional City services may be available following extreme weather events. Find out if such conditions exist by monitoring our social media pages or contacting dpw@wauwatosa.gov.
At all times, residents have two options to dispose of debris: