Skip to main content
You're logged in with MyAlex  |  Logout

City of Alexandria, VA

Search results cleared

Include archived pages
  • Live

    Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.

    • Be Prepared

      Are you ready? Find resources and information to help residents, businesses and visitors to prepare for all types of emergencies, and to stay safe.

      • Flooding Preparedness
      • Snow and Ice Control
      • Hurricane Preparedness
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Public Health Emergency
    • Community Life

      Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

      • Community Gardens
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Parks
      • Pets
      • Recreation
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards and Commissions
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • City Academies
      • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus and Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Historic Preservation

      Historic Alexandria is a treasure trove of early structures, artifacts, and records that creates a unique way of life for its citizens and provides enjoyment for thousands of people who visit this special community every year. The City continues to add resources to its collection of local and nationally designated historic districts.

      • Alexandria History
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Historic Alexandria
      • Historic Districts
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • Building & Construction
      • Business Licenses
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
    • Parking

      Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

      • Contest a Parking Ticket
      • Guest Parking Permits
      • Parking Permits
      • Parking Studies
      • Parking in Old Town
      • Pay a Parking Ticket
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Domestic Violence
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual Assault
      • Substance Abuse Prevention
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving and Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Schools & Libraries

      Did you know that ACPS is one of the most diverse school systems in the country? Our students come from more than 80 different countries, speak more than 60 languages, and represent a myriad of ethnic and cultural groups. The Alexandria Library is an educational, user-oriented service institution providing free public access to recorded knowledge and ideas.

      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Library
      • Child Care
      • Higher Learning
      • Out of School Time Programs
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care Assistance
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Resources
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Utilities

      The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The following companies are the primary providers of their respective service:

      • Cable TV (Comcast / Xfinity)
      • Drinking Water (Virginia American Water)
      • Electricity (Dominion Energy)
      • Natural Gas (Washington Gas)
      • Sewage/Water Treatment (Alex Renew)
      • Wired Telephone (Verizon)
    Close Menu
  • Play

    Whether you live here or are just visiting, Alexandria is a great place to shop, dine, take in the arts, get outdoors, and just have fun.

    • About Alexandria

      If you are looking for small-town charm and big-city amenities, Alexandria is the place to find them. Alexandria has a fascinating history, and many of its historic buildings are still preserved today. The City's many historic homes, churches, businesses, and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the past that makes it the charming town it is today.

      • Alexandria's History
      • Demographics & Statistics
      • Maps & GIS
      • Visit Alexandria
    • Arts & Culture

      Through engaging the community, encouraging participation, and facilitating access to arts and culture, the City builds a vibrant community for its residents, workers, and visitors.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Historic Property Rentals
      • Museums & Historic Sites
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
      • Office of the Arts
    • Entertainment

      Find events and activities, shops and restaurants, concerts and performances, arts and culture, historic attractions, parks and libraries, farmers' markets, and more.

      • City Concerts
      • City Events
      • Office of the Arts
      • Visit Alexandria: Things to Do
    • Getting Around

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Water Taxis
    • Museums & Historic Sites

      Alexandria is a desirable location to live, work and play. The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past.

      • City Museums
      • Historic Sites & Attractions
      • Office of Historic Alexandria
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront Parks
      • ParkLink Interactive Map
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Visit Alexandria

      Information about visiting Alexandria, including shopping, dining, attractions, accommodations, events listings and more. Plan your visit with an itinerary builder, interactive maps, hotel booking, online restaurant reservations and much more.

      • Group Tours
      • Meet in Alexandria
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Trip Planning Assistance
      • Visitor Center
    Close Menu
  • Services

    We are here to serve you. Browse the topics to the right to learn more about the programs and services we offer.

    • Alex311

      Connect with professional and knowledgeable staff for City service and information requests from every City department.

      • Missed Collection
      • Parking
      • Potholes
      • Street Cleaning
      • Trash & Recycling Containers
      • Trees
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
    • Animals

      What you need to know about animals, pets and wildlife in Alexandria.

      • Animal Adoption
      • Animal Control
      • Dog Parks
    • Buildings & Construction

      The City provides services to residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors needing permits for constructions and other developments.

      • Building Codes
      • City Code
      • Code Administration
      • Green Building
      • Land Use & Zoning
      • Permit Center
      • Permits & Land Use Applications
    • Environment

      "Green" initiatives, air quality, noise, water conservation, mosquito and rodent control.

      • Air Quality
      • Clean Waterways
      • Climate Change
      • Eco-City Alexandria
      • Green Building
      • Mosquito Control
      • Noise Control
      • Rodent Control
      • Stormwater Management
    • Jobs
      • City Government Jobs
      • Alexandria City Public Schools
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Maps & GIS

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) centrally manages, shares and analyzes information about locations through specialized mapping technology. This information increases transparency, improves many City technology applications and provides critical data to decision makers and the public.

      • Interactive Maps
      • Open Data
      • Standard Maps
    • Parks & Recreation

      Alexandria is an active community that offers more than 900 acres of parks and dedicated public space, and a wide variety of neighborhood and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers' markets, waterfront activities and more.

      • Classes & Camps
      • Dog Parks
      • Facility & Park Rentals
      • Farmers' Markets
      • Marina & Waterfront
      • Parks & Trails
      • Pools & Aquatics
      • Recreation Centers
      • Sports Leagues & Programs
    • Property & Housing

      The City administers various housing-related programs and services.

      • Housing Master Plan
      • Landlord & Property Manager Resources
      • Maps & GIS
      • Office of Housing
      • Parcel Viewer
      • Real Estate Assessments
    • Public Health & Wellness

      Alexandria is committed to ensuring our residents thrive through physical, mental, and social health.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Emergency Mental Health Services
      • Environmental Health
      • Environmental Quality
      • Health Department
      • Health Clinics
      • Sexual and Domestic Violence Services
      • Substance Abuse Services
      • Teen Pregnancy Prevention
      • Teen Wellness Center
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Agencies and programs that help maintain our safety and overall quality of life. These links contain information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Fire Department
      • Police Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Circuit Court
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • General District Court
      • J&DR Court
      • Court Service Unit
    • Public Works

      Learn more about how the City maintains streets, sidewalks, bridges, and other infrastructure in the City.

      • Bridge Maintenance
      • Paving & Potholes
      • Sewer Maintenance
      • Street Sweeping
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Payments
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Tax Guide
      • Tax Relief
    • Social Services

      The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

      • Aging & Adult Services
      • Child Care
      • Children & Families
      • Discrimination & Disabilities
      • Gang & Youth Violence Prevention
      • Homeless Services
      • Housing Assistance
      • Human Rights
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Mentoring Programs
      • Military & Veteran Services
    • Trash & Recycling

      Find information on the City's refuse, recycling and yard waste collection programs.

      • Recycling
      • Refuse Collection
      • Yard Waste
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Bicycling in Alexandria
      • Bus & Rail
      • King Street Trolley
      • Parking in Alexandria
      • Street Maps
      • Taxis
      • Transportation Planning
    Close Menu
  • Business

    Ideally located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is nationally recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. Learn how we can help you start or relocate your business in Alexandria, and access resources for existing businesses and commuters.

    • Business Resources

      The City provides services and resources to help existing businesses expand within the City and promotes recruiting new businesses in Alexandria.

      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • BIPOC Small Business Program
      • Doing Business with the City
      • New Business Guide
      • Public-Private Partnerships
    • Jobs

      Alexandria offers wide range of job opportunities and services. Work for City government or City Public Schools, find out about an internship opportunity or learn about workforce development and career training options.

      • City Government Jobs
      • Job Search Assistance (Workforce Development Center)
      • Collective Bargaining
    • Licenses & Permits

      Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary for the activity you want to engage in Alexandria.

      • APEX Permitting & Land Use System
      • Business Licenses
      • Business Outdoor Program & Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Permit Center
      • Zoning Information
    • Real Estate & Taxes

      The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values. Taxes can be paid in a variety of ways including online, by phone and by mail.

      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Lodging Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Payments
      • Real Estate Assessment Search
      • Real Estate Assessments
      • Sales Tax
    • Transportation

      Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

      • Getting Around
      • Vehicle Registration
      • GO Alex Commuter Resources
      • Parking in Alexandria
    Close Menu
  • Government

    Learn more about Alexandria's accountable, effective, and well-managed government.

    • City Council

      The Alexandria City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large for three-year terms. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government.

      • City Council Calendar
      • Communicate with City Council
      • Council Assignments
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Speak at a Meeting
    • Boards & Commissions

      The City of Alexandria has a strong commitment to citizen participation as evidenced by the number of citizen boards and commissions established by City Council. These bodies compose a formal system through which citizens can advise City Council on all major issues affecting the City.

      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Apply for a Board or Commission
      • Boards & Commission Calendar
      • Boards & Commission Vacancies
      • Board of Architectural Review
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Planning Commission
      • Park & Recreation Commission
      • Transportation Commission
    • Departments & Agencies

      View a list of City departments, offices and other agencies, and learn about their role in the organization.

      • City Government Departments & Offices
      • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
      • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
      • Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS)
      • Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
      • Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA)
      • Alexandria Transit Company (DASH)
      • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA)
      • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
      • Visit Alexandria (Official Tourism Site)
    • Public Safety & Courts

      Information about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.

      • Police Department
      • Fire Department
      • Sheriff's Office
      • Courts
      • Office of Emergency Management
      • Emergency & Customer Communications
      • Community Policing Review Board
    • Elected Officials

      Alexandria voters elect a Mayor and City Council and three local officers, as well as state and federal representatives.

      • City Council
      • Clerk of Circuit Court
      • Commonwealth's Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Voting in Alexandria
    • Get Involved

      There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

      • Boards & Commissions
      • City of Alexandria Academy Programs
      • Civic Engagement Policy
      • Speak at a Meeting
      • Volunteering
    • Transparency

      The City government acts with integrity in an open process, and provides timely access to clear, trustworthy information, presented and employed by all parties from the beginning to the end of the process, including the reasoning that leads to and supports the policy conclusion.

      • Operating Budget & Capital Improvement Program
      • Meeting Dockets & Video
      • Performance Analytics
      • Alexandria's Strategic Plan
      • Race & Social Equity
      • Community Policing Review Board
      • Collective Bargaining
      • City Code
      • Open Data
    Close Menu
  • Projects & Plans

    Much of our work involves creating and improving infrastructure and planning for the future. Learn more about major projects and plans here, and how you can get involved!

    • Arts & Culture

      Information about arts, culture and historic projects in the City.

      • Arts & Culture Master Plan
      • Public Art Implementation Plan
    • Development

      Information about commercial and residential development projects in the City.

      • Landmark/Van Dorn Area Planning
      • North Potomac Yard Implementation / Virginia Tech Innovation Campus
      • Potomac River Generating Station Redevelopment
    • Environmental

      Information about environmental and "green" projects in the City.

      • 500 Block N. Pitt St. Sewer Separation Project
      • Flood Action Alexandria
      • Franklin St. Sewer Relocation Project
      • Holmes Run Trail Repairs
      • Lucky Run Stream Restoration
      • Oronoco Outfall Remediation Project
      • Wheeler Ave. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Relining
      • Windmill Hill Park Project - Phase II
    • Neighborhoods

      Information about neighborhood projects in the City.

      • Alexandria West Planning
      • Duke Street and West Taylor Run Project
      • Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail Station Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
      • King-Callahan-Russell Intersection Improvement Project
      • Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets
    • Parks & Recreation

      Information about parks and recreation projects in the City.

      • Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail Project
      • Bicycle Parking
      • Eugene Simpson Park Renovation Projects
      • Joseph Hensley Park Renovation
      • Old Cameron Run Trail Project
      • Robinson Terminal South Update: Historic Ship Stabilization
    • Public Facilities

      Information about public facilities projects in the City.

      • Alexandria Waterfront
      • King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project
      • Municipal Broadband
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
    • Social Services

      Information about social services projects and plans in the City.

      • Aging and Adult Services
      • Early Care & Education Common Agenda
      • The Partnership to Prevent & End Homelessness
    • Transportation

      Information about transportation projects and plans in and around the City.

      • Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
      • Alexandria Mobility Plan
      • Complete Streets
      • Duke Street in Motion
      • Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project
      • Smart Mobility
      • Traffic Mitigation
      • Vision Zero
      • West End Transitway
    Close Menu
  • Calendar

    There's always something to do in Alexandria! Browse community events, government meetings and activities, and important deadlines.

    Close Menu
  • I want to…

    Use these shortcuts to perform some of the most common tasks on our site.

    • Apply
      • Building & Construction Permits
      • Business Licenses
      • City Government Jobs
      • Facility & Park Permits
      • Health Permits
      • Marriage Licenses
      • Vehicle Registration
    • Pay
      • Business License Tax
      • Business Personal Property Tax
      • Meal Tax
      • Parking Ticket
      • Personal Property/Car Tax
      • Real Estate Tax
      • Sales Tax
    • Report
      • Potholes
      • Street Light Outage
      • Tree Problem
      • Power Outage (Dominion Energy)
      • Water Main Break (Virginia American Water)
      • Natural Gas Problem (Washington Gas)
      • Cable TV/Internet Problem (Comcast)
      • Wired Telephone Problem (Verizon)
      • Discrimination Complaints
    • Request
      • Park Maintenance
      • Trash/Recycling Container
      • Yard Waste / Bulky Items Pickup
      • Public Records (FOIA)
      • Trip Planning Assistance
    Close Menu

Snow and Ice Control

Clearing streets and sidewalks is a process that takes time, hard work, and good communication between residents, business owners, and the City.
Page updated on December 21, 2022 at 11:33 AM

Public Works

  • Paving & Potholes
    • Report a Pothole
  • Street Sweeping
  • Sewer Maintenance
  • Bridge Maintenance
  • Snow & Ice Control

Share

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
GoogleTranslate
Google Translate
WARNING: You have chosen to translate this page using an automated translation system. This translation has not been reviewed by the City of Alexandria and may contain errors.
City snow plows during a January 2022 weather event

The City clears snow from 561 lane miles of roadways, 20 miles of publicly owned sidewalks, walkways and pathways, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots and publicly owned squares. Typically, alleys and non-municipal parking lots are not part of the City’s snow removal operations. View this map for snow removal priorities and download a copy of the winter weather flyer to learn about winter weather preparedness.

Current Snow and Ice Conditions

To check on the plowing priority and status of your street use the City’s SnowReport tracking system.

Once a snow emergency is declared by the City, additional information will be available via eNews alerts, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. For other emergencies related to snowstorms, call 311 or 703.746.4311 or contact us online. Please do not call this number to ask when your street will be plowed; see the information below regarding street-cleaning priorities.

Complaints about compliance with the sidewalk ordinance may also be made by calling 311 or 703.746.4311.

For frequently asked questions about the City's snow response, watch the video or visit the Snow Removal FAQs section of this page.

Snow Removal Priorities

City crews treat and plow primary roads (which include snow emergency routes) followed by secondary routes (including hills). After these priorities are addressed, crews will begin plowing intermediate and then residential streets.

Snow Emergency Routes

Any road where stopping and parking are not permitted during snow emergencies to maintain the flow of traffic for public safety purposes and to permit snow plows unimpeded access to the roadway. If your vehicle is parked on a snow emergency route during a winter weather event it should be moved immediately. Vehicles remaining after a snow emergency is declared may be towed at the owner’s expense. Snow emergency routes are posted with red and white signs, and listed in the City Code:

  • King Street from Union Street to the western City limit
  • Washington Street from City limit to City limit
  • Duke Street from Washington Street to the western City limit
  • U.S. Route No. 1 from City limit to City limit
  • Braddock Road from North West Street to Beauregard Street
  • Howard Street from Braddock Road to Jordan Street
  • Jordan Street from Duke Street to Howard Street
  • Eisenhower Avenue from Holland Lane to Van Dorn Street

Primary Routes

Primary routes are our first priority for plowing and applying materials. Primary routes are the major streets and snow emergency routes that run throughout the City and near schools and hospitals. Plow trucks are first assigned to primary routes and then move quickly to secondary routes.

Secondary Routes

Secondary routes include local and neighborhood streets and most Metro and DASH bus routes. Plowing of these routes often occurs in tandem with or closely after the plowing of some primary routes. Depending on the severity of the storm, Metro and DASH may offer limited service or temporarily shut down.

Intermediate Routes

Intermediate routes include any streets requiring special attention in snowy conditions (such as steep hills) that are not currently classified as primary or secondary routes. Intermediate routes also include a few smaller residential streets that are more commercial in use (i.e. service several businesses and/or industrial buildings). Plowing of these routes often occurs in tandem with or closely after the plowing of some secondary routes. Upon completion of intermediate routes, crews will move into residential routes.

Residential Routes

Residential routes are primarily roads in neighborhoods and subdivisions adjacent to single-family residences, apartment buildings or smaller mixed use development. Crews will move into residential routes upon completion of other priorities.

Maps

  • Locations of snow emergency routes throughout the City
  • Locations of snow plow zones throughout the City

Winter Weather Emergency System

The City’s winter weather emergency classifications are based on type and accumulation of precipitation with severity ranging from Level 1 (least severe) to Level 3 (most severe). The classifications are based on similar systems used widely in other jurisdictions. In Alexandria, the City Manager may declare a snow emergency and implement parking restrictions at any level.

Level 1

When up to eight inches of snow or other winter weather conditions are in the forecast, City snow removal crews will work first to make snow-covered roads and sidewalks passable and ensure schools are accessible. Roadways and/or sidewalks may not be completely clear for 3 days.

Level 2

When more than eight inches of snow, freezing rain with ice accumulation, or a combination of ice and snow are expected, roadways are considered hazardous and drivers are advised to limit their travel to emergency trips. City snow removal crews will work first to make snow covered roads passable for emergency and public utility vehicles, with the goal of bringing roadway conditions to Level 1. Crews will then return to make roads passable, plowing them clear within five (5) days following the storm; however, weather conditions may delay available resources and response times. Roadway conditions may require school delays or closures at discretion of schools.

Level 3

Significant snow accumulations, ice, or blizzard conditions are expected; roads are closed to non-emergency vehicles. Roads will be made passable for emergency vehicles only, and snow removal operations will continue around the clock with the goal of bringing roadway conditions to Level 2.

Definitions for Snow Removal from City Streets

The City uses the following terms to define conditions of roads and throughways and the difference between the various conditions. Watch the video to learn the difference between snow-covered roads, passable roads, and cleared roads.

Roads Closed

Streets are accessible to emergency vehicles only. All other vehicles should stay off the roads, as conditions are unsafe for driving.

Snow covered

Street is covered with snow.

Passable

Street may have been plowed (possibly one lane only), but may have only been treated. Snowy or icy spots remain and the street will require additional plowing. Drivers should use caution and limit driving to essential trips.

cleared

Snow has been pushed to the sides of the street, leaving one or two inches of snow, or cleared down to blacktop, with running water visible. Streets are also treated with salt. Drivers should continue to use caution and expect icy spots and/or snow.

Snow Removal on Sidewalks and Pathways

City Code Section 5-2-21 states that sidewalks, driveways, and entrances are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, occupant, community association, or business for snow removal. Snow and ice must be cleared from all paved sidewalks abutting your property within 24-72 hours of the end of the snowfall, depending on the storm response level. During a storm, check alexandriava.gov for the storm response level. Failure to clear sidewalks may result in the City having the work done and charging the cost to the property owner, or fining the property owner $50. Time limits for cleaning snow are determined by the storm level:

  • Level 1: 24 hours after snowfall stops
  • Level 2: 48 hours after snowfall stops
  • Level 3: 72 hours after snowfall stops

Owners and tenants who may be unavailable or unable to clear sidewalks themselves are responsible for making arrangements to have the work done for them in the event there is a storm.

To report a violation of the sidewalk ordinance, please call 311 or 703.746.4311.

City crews coordinate road clearing and sidewalk work depending on the severity of the storm. Accessible curb ramps, sidewalks and pathways that abut publicly-owned property are cleared by crews from City departments or Alexandria City Public Schools personnel.

The sidewalks are prioritized into three basic groups:

  • First priority: School walking areas, accessible curb ramps and sidewalks near key transit stops such as Metro stations, and retail zones.
  • Second priority: Walks expanding out from schools, parks, and municipal locations.
  • Third priority: Trails, pathways internal to parks, and bike paths. (The Mount Vernon Trail is maintained by the National Park Service and is not plowed during snow events).

During less severe storms, priorities include schools and accessible curb ramps in heavily used pedestrian areas–particularly near major transit stops and retail zones along King Street (Commonwealth Avenue to Union Street) and Mount Vernon Avenue (East Glendale Avenue to Four Mile Road).

City Government and School Closings

CITY GOVERNMENT

City government closings and cancellations due to inclement weather are communicated in various forms including:

  • City's website
  • eNews alert messages
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (ACPS)

ACPS closing and cancellation announcements due to inclement weather are available at:

  • ACPS website
  • ACPS emergency eNews
  • ACPS Hotline: 703.866.5300

Snow Shoveling Safety

The City of Alexandria urges residents to exercise caution while cleaning up after winter storms. Strenuous physical activity can increase the risk of illness and injury, especially heart attacks.

To help avoid illness or injury when clearing snow, follow these guidelines:

  • Know yourself and your limitations. If you have a medical condition or do not exercise regularly, talk with your doctor before shoveling. If necessary, hire someone to remove the snow.
  • Shovel early and often. Newly fallen snow is lighter than heavily packed or partially melted snow. It is also important to keep a path to your door in case you need to leave in an emergency.
  • Push the snow instead of lifting it. Keep the shovel close to your body, and space your hands to increase leverage. If you must lift snow, lift properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Lift with your legs; do not bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Do not hold a shovelful of snow with your arms outstretched.
  • Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This action requires a twisting motion that stresses your back.
  • Do not let a hat or scarf block your vision. Watch out for ice patches and uneven surfaces. Avoid falls by wearing shoes/boots that have slip-resistant soles.
  • Snow is a powerful light reflector on sunny days. Wear sunglasses to prevent "snow blindness".
  • Pace yourself. Shoveling snow is an aerobic activity, comparable to weightlifting. Take frequent breaks from the cold and the effort, and replenish fluids to prevent dehydration.

How You Can Help

Be prepared for winter weather by maintaining an adequate supply of shovels, salt or sand for your sidewalks and driveways. If you leave the City during winter, have a plan to ensure that your sidewalks will be cleared. This will prevent the City from charging you with fines, snow removal fees, or both.

In addition, please:

  • Clear ice, snow and leaves from around fire hydrants and storm drains.
  • Do not shovel snow from your property onto the sidewalk or street.
  • Park your car off the street wherever possible.
  • Immediately report potholes to the City online or at 311 or 703.746.4311.
  • Check on neighbors needing assistance.
  • Volunteer to be a Snow Buddy. Snow Buddy is a Volunteer Alexandria program which provides snow removal and sidewalk treatment for eligible Alexandrians. Volunteers are matched with low-income seniors or homebound or disabled residents who are physically unable to do it themselves, cannot afford to pay for this service, and/or do not have neighbors, family, or friends to assist them.

Snow Facts

Did you know:

  • The City has on standby more than 54 pieces of snow removal equipment and 120 crew members with more than 7,000 tons of salt available to keep roads clear.
  • Snow and ice storms produce an average accumulation of 15 inches annually in Alexandria. That amount is generally spread over several events in a typical winter.
  • During the winter months, City staff track potential storms 24 hours per day and on-call City crews and contractors are available to begin working in 12-hour shifts when winter weather is forecasted. If there is a snow emergency, essential employees, public safety, and emergency management staff work around the clock to ensure Alexandria's streets are safe for travel.
  • You can help the City in its snow fighting efforts by removing snow from sidewalks, driveways, and entrances on your property in compliance with City Code.

Snow Removal FAQs

When will my street be plowed?

The City conducts plowing according to a list of priorities. City crews treat and plow primary roads (which include snow emergency routes) followed by secondary routes (including hills). After these priorities are addressed, crews will begin plowing residential streets. Please remain patient and stay home until the City can treat and plow your neighborhood.

Where should I park?

Whenever possible, please move all vehicles out of parking lanes before the storm begins. This keeps roads clear for plow equipment, reduces the chance of damage to your vehicle, and prevents your vehicle from getting snowed in. If you are parked on a posted snow emergency route, your vehicle may be ticketed or towed if it is not moved. For alternate parking locations, please see alexandriava.gov/Parking.

Why did I just see a truck drive by without its plow down?

If a plow is up on a City or City contractor truck, it may be because the truck is beginning or ending its shift, is returning for fuel or salt, is repositioning from one priority road to another, or is applying salt so that the snow will be soft enough to plow on the next pass.

A street near mine was just plowed. Does that mean my street will be next?

The City plows and treats streets in priority order. If the street that was just plowed is at the same priority as yours (e.g. they are both residential), it is likely that your street will be plowed soon. Other factors – such as equipment maintenance, crew shifts, and refueling – may mean that there will still be a delay before crews reach your street. If the first street was a higher priority (e.g. it was a primary route and yours is a residential street, or it was a hilly street and yours is flat), the plow truck may move to another street at the same priority.

Why does it take so long to plow the streets?

The City is responsible for 561 lane miles of roadways, and that's in addition to 20 miles of sidewalks and pathways, plus public areas and facilities with significant areas of parking and assembly space. Before, during, and after a snow storm, City crews work around the clock, in 12-hour shifts, using all available equipment and personnel. Still, clearing snow is difficult work that requires crews to adapt to constantly changing conditions. Heavy snow, or even a small accumulation of ice, is very hard on plow equipment and can cause damage to plows that must be frequently inspected and repaired. Please remember that even if your street has not yet been cleared, City crews have been working as hard as possible to move through the City's road network.

Why do I often see trucks treating roadways on Friday afternoons, even when snow is not expected?

Our standard procedures for winter weather call for us to treat roadways, especially bridges and overpasses, with a brine solution on Fridays during regular hours when temperatures are expected to be near or below freezing. This helps us avoid ice on roadways and reduce the need for standby and overtime work on weekends (Alexandria Police and other public safety entities call T&ES to treat icy patches on weekends) -- we can treat streets in less time and with fewer people during regular work hours. In the end, we use less salt, spend less money, and have fewer problems with roadway ice than we did before we began this practice.

I used to live in Chicago/Buffalo/Pittsburgh, and they always did a better job responding to snow. Why can't we do better?

Alexandria typically receives 15 inches of snowfall per year, distributed across several storms during the winter months. The City's snow budget and plans are set based on this expectation, with some additional contingencies.

Why aren’t you using sand on my street?

The City very rarely uses sand. Typically, sand is used for traction on steep roadways, not to melt snow, and is used sparingly. Sand cannot be used in certain parts of the city (such as Old Town) because it drains to the older sewers and causes backups. Streets receive salt treatment to melt snow or prevent ice accumulation and are then plowed.

Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks?

Property owners and tenants are responsible for clearing the snow and ice from adjacent City sidewalks within 24-72 hours of the end of the snowfall, depending on the storm response level (Level 1 = 24 hours; Level 2 = 48 hours; Level 3 = 72 hours). During a storm, the alert at alexandriava.gov will list the storm response level. Accessible curb ramps, sidewalks and pathways that abut publicly-owned property are cleared by crews from City departments or Alexandria City Public Schools personnel.

Please also help your community by clearing storm drains and fire hydrants adjacent to your home, and do not shovel snow into streets or onto sidewalks. Lend a hand to neighbors and others who may need your assistance. Keeping storm drains clear will help prevent flooding once the snow melts. Clearing streets, sidewalks, and fire hydrants is an important part of maintaining safe mobility for everyone, but is especially vital for public safety crews who are responding to emergencies.

When will the City enforce the sidewalk ordinance?

Any property owner who fails to clear adjacent sidewalks within the allotted time (Level 1 = 24 hours; Level 2 = 48 hours; Level 3 = 72 hours) may be subject to a $50 fine, plus the cost of the City having the sidewalk cleared. During a storm, the alert at alexandriava.gov will list the storm response level. Complaints about compliance with the sidewalk ordinance may be made by calling 311 or 703.746.4311 or using SnowReport once the enforcement deadline has passed. City inspectors will begin responding to complaints once they have completed their initial duty of inspecting buildings and other locations for safety issues created by snow and ice falling from rooftops, loose signs, structural damage etc.

I just cleared my car, sidewalk, and driveway, and then City crews plowed my street and snowed me in again. Why can't snow be plowed towards the center or median of the street?

Most residential streets have only one or two travel lanes, so there is not enough room to plow snow to the middle of the street. In larger storms, it may be impossible to avoid pushing snow onto the sidewalk or your driveway from the street. Please be prepared to clear driveways and sidewalks more than one time to fully clear all snow from your property. Do not shovel snow into the street, or it will just be plowed back again. You can help prevent snow from piling up around your vehicles by removing them from the street before the storm, if possible. Assist our fire department by making sure you also dig out around fire hydrants. Please refrain from blocking streets or barricading parking spaces. Keeping streets clear helps Fire and EMS respond to emergencies.

How can I stay safe in the snow?

During extreme winter weather, the best way to protect your health and safety is to stay prepared and indoors as much as possible. Have food, medicine, and other supplies on hand before a storm that you may need for up to a week. Stay off the roads – whether in a vehicle or on foot – whenever you can. If you must go outside, dress appropriately for the weather in layers. Strenuous physical activity can increase the risk of illness and injury, especially heart attacks. Know the warning signs of a heart attack. If you or someone you are with exhibits these signs, call 911 right away. Keep in mind these tips for Food Safety After The Power Goes Out and Roof Safety During Winter Weather.

Who can I contact for help?

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. For other emergencies related to snow storm, call 311 or 703.746.4311 or contact us online. Please do not call this number to ask when your street will be plowed. Complaints about compliance with the sidewalk ordinance may also be made by calling 311 or 703.746.4311.

Additional Resources

  • 2022 Winter Postcard - English
  • 2022 Winter Postcard - Arabic
  • 2022 Winter Postcard - Amharic
  • 2022 Winter Postcard - Spanish
Contact Us
Alex311 | 703.746.4311
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Visitor Information

VisitAlexandriaVA.com

  • Emergency Hotlines
  • Social Media
  • Privacy & Legal
  • FOIA Requests
  • Departments
  • Jobs
  • Payments

Alexandria City Hall
301 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

City of Alexandria Seal
© 1995–2021 City of Alexandria, VA and others
Hold on, redirecting...