Beware Of Parking Restrictions Once Snow Accumulates: City

GENEVA, IL — The Chicagoland area, including Geneva, might be experiencing potential record-breaking warmth Wednesday, but if residents have learned one thing living here, it's that the weather can be unpredictable. In light of the season, Geneva officials said residents should be prepared to move their cars off the street once it starts to snow.

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In a news release issued Wednesday, officials reminded residents that once snowfall reaches two inches, parking is prohibited on highways and main collector streets with higher speed limits — also the city's designated emergency snow routes. Once three inches of snow accumulate, residential roads, including alleys, cul-de-sacs and dead ends, enter the no-parking mix.

Under hazardous road conditions, snow routes are the first to be cleared of snow and ice before crews transition to residential neighborhoods. During a snowstorm, residential roads will have one pass in each direction to provide access to drivers and emergency vehicles, but once snowing stops, streets will be plowed curb-to-curb.

"Parking is not permitted on residential streets at any time within 12 hours following a snowfall of 3 inches or more or until a street has been plowed to the curb," the release reads.

A few inches of snow are not the only cause of a parking ban. Officials said the Public Works Department can choose to restrict parking based on forecasts showing snow, sleet or freezing rain.

The parking restrictions allow Public Works crews to effectively operate snow removal operations, officials said, and cars left on the street during a parking ban risk being ticketed or towed.

During major snow events, residents can get updates through the city's website or by subscribing to community alerts.

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