Snow Removal
Make sure you know what to do when it snows in Brooklyn Park.
Don’t get towed when it snows
The city is enhancing safety and helping people get around Brooklyn Park during the winter months with a Snow Emergency Parking ordinance.
The Snow Emergency ordinance gives the city the authority to declare a snow emergency parking ban when snow, sleet, ice or snow drifts have created dangerous road and travel conditions.
When a snow emergency event is called, vehicles may not park on city streets until the full-width of the street has been plowed.
Vehicles left on city streets after a snow emergency is called will get a citation (ticket) and will be towed to an impound lot. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for all fees associated with snow emergency citation, towing and storing operations.
Vehicles need to be off the city streets, so crews can clear the streets quickly and motorists, school buses, fire trucks, ambulances and police vehicles can get to where they need to go, safely.
Snow or no snow, overnight parking is not allowed
Regardless of weather conditions, between November 1 to March 31 vehicles may not be parked on city streets between 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Vehicles left on city streets between 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. will be ticketed and towed.
Vehicles must also not be parked
- On a sidewalk
- For more than 24 hours on the street
- Within 20 feet of a mailbox, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
- Within 30 feet of a stop sign
- In front of a driveway
- Across the street from a driveway
Snow emergencies
Stay informed
- Online—on this website
- Email—Subscribe to snow emergency notifications to get an email message when a snow emergency is called
- Local TV and radio—local radio and TV stations will be notified when a snow emergency is declared in Brooklyn Park, but the stations do not guarantee the announcement will be broadcast.
Snow emergency parking lots
If you don’t have access to off-street parking during a snow emergency, the City is providing space at various parks parking lots. Click on the parking icon on the map below for address information. Remember you may only park there for 24 hours. After that your vehicle may be considered abandoned and may be towed.
Launch the interactive snow emergency map >
Parking lot locations
Check back often. Other snow emergency parking lots will be added.
Bass Creek Park, 6665 Boone Ave N
Central Park, 8440 Regent Ave N
Hamilton Park, 6101 Candlewood Dr N
Hartkopf Park, 7324 Hampshire Ave N
Lakeland Park, 6901 66th Ave N
Noble Sports Park, 4701 Oak Grove Pkwy N
Willows of Aspen Park, 9899 Evergreen Avenue N
Zane Sports Park, 8717 Zane Ave N
Impound lot locations
All vehicles that are towed will be brought to Citywide Service Towing.
Citywide Service Towing
763-424-4900
9309 83rd Ave N
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Fees
The cost to get your car out of the impound lot depends on several factors. The cost depends on the type of truck needed to tow the vehicle, how far it was towed and how long the vehicle is left at the impound lot.
Tow fees are paid at the impound lot. Checks are not accepted at the impound lots and credit cards may have additional fees from the banking institution. Please bring cash for payment.
The registered owner of the vehicle must bring proof of vehicle ownership, personal identification and proof of insurance to the impound lot to get their car back.
Citation fines (tickets) are paid to Hennepin County District Court.
Hennepin County District Court
Your role in snow removal
Brooklyn Park plows snow from a designated arterial sidewalk system. This system does not include all sidewalks.
Owners and residents are required to remove snow and ice from their sidewalk. Snow must be cleared from the sidewalk within 48 hours of the snowfall stopping.
Minnesota Statute prohibits plowing, shoveling, blowing or placing snow onto public roadways. Placing snow on a public roadway can subject a person to civil liability if a road hazard, such as a slippery area, frozen rut, or bump occurs and causes a traffic accident.
Use the map linked below to see which streets, trails and sidewalks are plowed by the city, and which are the residents’ responsibility.
Garbage/recycling container access
Your garbage and recycling containers must be accessible for pick-up and placed off street to allow snow removal. Your containers may have to be placed in your driveway to meet both of these requirements. It is your responsibility to see that the containers are not in the way of the snowplow or sidewalk plow and is also in a spot accessible to the garbage and recycling trucks.
Fire hydrant access
Fire hydrants are critical to minimize the potential losses involved in any fire. When snow builds up in boulevards, the Operations and Maintenance and Fire Departments attempt to clear access to critical hydrants as quickly as possible.
We encouraged residents and businesses to help us by clearing hydrants near your property. If possible, snow should be cleared 5 feet around the hydrant to allow the Fire Department access. This is a positive step you can take to ensure the safety of your neighborhood and City. We thank you in advance.
Boulevard intrusions
City Code prohibits intrusions in boulevards on street public right-of-way without City approval.
This includes structures and items such as:
- Landscape boulders
- Posts and fences
- Improperly positioned mailboxes
- Masonry structures
- Timbers
- Stakes
- Other substantial objects or loose materials
These intrusions can damage snowplow equipment or become damaged by the weight of snow or equipment contact. If damaged, intruding items in the boulevard are not replaced or repaired by the City.
Snow safety tips
Snow bank safety
Snow banks can be dangerous at intersections because of sight obstructions. Take extra care when navigating areas that have vision obstructions.
Snow banks also can be dangerous for children because of the opportunity to slide or tunnel. Please instruct your children to avoid using the banks along the street for play areas. Truck drivers are attempting to be as vigilant as possible, but hidden tunnels, etc., are virtually impossible to see.
Tree trimming safety
Tree trimming is also performed in the winter season to allow safe clearance for truck boxes in the up position and improve sight lines at intersections.
Snow plow truck safety
Snow plow trucks are required to stop and back up during plowing operations. Please allow a large clearance margin to the trucks. Drivers’ vision is hampered by equipment and weather conditions. These trucks have horns or bells that sound when they are backing up. Please instruct your children to stay at a safe distance. Caution is what can make a winter season safe.
Mailbox damage
If, during plowing, a properly positioned mailbox is tipped or knocked over by the weight of the snow, it is the property owner’s responsibility to repair or replace their mailbox. If an individual residential mailbox is damaged during snow removal, and physical evidence shows that the box was actually hit by the plow, reimbursement for repairs may be authorized. If the City is responsible for the damaged box, the City will reimburse the owner up to a maximum of $60.00 for materials purchased.
Residents are responsible for keeping the mailbox cleared of snow for post office deliveries.
Sprinkler head damage
If, during plowing, a sprinkler head is damaged by direct contact from a city snow plow the city will reimburse the owner up to a maximum of $25.00 per sprinkler head for materials purchased.
Sod damage
If your sod is damaged during snowplowing operations, the City will pick up the damaged sod in the spring. As a resident, you have two options: the City will install black dirt and seed, or if you prefer sod, the City will pay for the cost of the sod. The City will not pay for the cost of installing the sod. The amount of sod to be purchased by the homeowner, and reimbursed by the City, must be approved prior to the purchase. This can be done by calling Operations and Maintenance at 763-493-8007.