When snowstorms attack Kansas City, the streets will be covered with a big blanket of snow. Here’s what you need to know about snow plow operations on the streets and what you need to do on your property.

WHO PLOWS THE SIDEWALKS?

You do, if you own your house. It’s on the property owner to remove snow from the sidewalks in front of their residence. There is a city ordinance that states you have to remove the snow on the sidewalk in front of your property in a timely manner.

If you’re a renter, it’s on your landlord or property manager, unless you signed something in your lease saying that tenants are responsible.

WHAT ABOUT THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE?

That’s the city’s responsibility. The city will start plowing neighborhood streets at the beginning of the storm if the snow rolls in during working hours or if the night shift is already working.

Otherwise, them plow drivers for neighborhood streets start their shifts at 6 a.m the next day.

WHICH STREETS ARE THE STATE’S RESPONSIBILITY?

The Missouri Department of Transportation plows the highways such as I-70 and larger streets in Kansas City like Antioch, Bannister, Nolan and Vivion Roads and Independence Avenue, while Kansas City takes its streets like Barry and Wornall Roads, Holmes and Main Streets and Northwest Oak Trafficway.

Important note: Some streets and neighborhoods are private, meaning they have privately-owned snow removal services to clear their area. You can find which neighborhoods and streets are private by using the city’s parcel viewer and selecting “street row” under platting.

For more information on Kansas City’s snowplow operations, check out this breakdown.

This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 5:00 AM.

Joseph Hernandez

The Kansas City Star

Joseph Hernandez joined The Kansas City Star’s service journalism team in 2021. A Cristo Rey Kansas City High School and Mizzou graduate, he now covers trending topics and finds things for readers to do around the metro.