Frequently Asked Questions

A snow parking ban eliminates obstacles that hinder the ability of City plows to efficiently and completely clear streets of snow. When crews are able to fully plow the streets, traffic and emergency vehicles can move safely and easily throughout the City.

The snow parking ban goes into effect when snow exceeds two inches on a residential street. The ban does not apply to parking on the streets immediately adjacent to retail businesses. It does not go into effect until 4 pm on the streets around school buildings when school is in session.

When a street has been plowed, residents may again park on the street. However, the ban will go back into effect if an additional two inches of snow falls.

Shaker’s 200+ miles of sidewalks make it a highly walkable city. A long-standing ordinance requiring homeowners to clear sidewalks in front of their homes, including corner property curb ramps, by 9 am the day after a snowfall preserves the walkability of the City. Snow that fell during the previous night does not need to be removed before 9 am or more than once a day. Likewise, business owners are responsble for clearing sidewalks in front of their establishments.

No. On streets around school buildings, when school is in session, parking will be permitted until 4 p.m. so as not to disrupt the school day. These areas include:

• Boulevard Elementary School
• Fernway Elementary School
• Hanna Perkins School
• Hathaway Brown School
• Laurel School
• Lomond Elementary School
• Ludlow School
• Mercer Elementary School
• Onaway Elementary School
• Shaker Heights Administration Building
• Shaker Heights High School
• Shaker Heights Middle School
• St. Dominic School
• University School
• Woodbury Elementary School

You may contact the Police Department at 216-491-1220, if you need an exception.

Residents who park in the street when the snow exceeds two inches could receive a ticket or find that their vehicle has been towed in order to facilitate snow clearing operations. The Police will try to reach owners of cars left in the street so they can be moved.

Snow Under 6 Inches

When snow is under six inches, the City clears sidewalks that are adjacent to school sidewalks and sidewalks on main arteries. Residents and business owners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks.

Snow Over 6 Inches

Residents and business owners are still responsible for clearing their sidewalks, and as a courtesy, the City will plow sidewalks after streets are cleared and when crews are available. With 200 miles of sidewalk this can take several days or more. Please note:

• City sidewalk plows leave several inches of snow; this is because city sidewalks are uneven
• Sidewalk plow may push piles of snow left on sidewalks back onto driveways
• Streets are plowed in the following order: main roads, secondary roads and then neighborhood streets
• View the sidewalk plowing map (updated three times a week).

The schools are responsible for snow removal on their own sidewalks. With any snowfall, the Public Works snow crews work to keep sidewalks adjacent to school sidewalks clear, as well.

• Do not plow snow onto sidewalks
• Do not plow snow into the street
• Do not plow snow onto any tree lawn other than the one in front of the property being plowed
• Do not plow snow onto or in front of fire hydrants
• Do not plow onto neighnoring properties

The low traffic volume overnight minimizes the effectiveness of salt and can worsen conditions. Instead of salting during those hours, crews plow to provide passable roadways and salt only intersections, curves, bridges and hills.

No. The use of powered snow removal equipment is a specific exception to the law prohibiting domestic power tool use late at night and in the early morning hours. There is no time restriction for the use of such equipment.