Contact

Streets / Street Maintenance
Public Works Building
7901 Park Place
Chanhassen, MN 55317

(952) 227-1300
(952) 227-1310 Fax

Report a Concern

Snow Removal

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Overview

The city has a Snow and Ice Removal Policy, last updated in November 2020, that outlines procedures and expectations for managing snow and ice on public right of way. If you have questions or concerns about snow plowing and ice control operations, contact Public Works at 952-227-1300 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or the Carver County Sheriff's Department at 952-361-1231 after hours and on weekends and holidays.

City Plow Routes

Not all streets within the City of Chanhassen are plowed by the city. The City of Chanhassen does not plow county roads, private roads, and state highways.

Carver County plows the streets listed below. If you want to contact Carver County about any of these routes, call 952-466-5241.

Powers Boulevard
Lyman Boulevard, west of Highway 101
Pioneer Trail
Galpin Boulevard

The State of Minnesota plows the streets listed below. If you want to contact MnDOT about these routes, call 651-296-3000.

Highway 5
Highway 41
Highway 101
Highway 212

Please call your homeowner's association regarding the plowing of private streets. (Note: street signs for private roads are blue with white letters.)

Snowplow Safety

Snow removal equipment is much larger than most other vehicles on the road and often operates in adverse conditions that reduce visibility and stopping time. Here are a few guidelines to assist you in driving more safely during the winter months:

Drive cautiously during snow and icy conditions. A good rule of thumb is "half the posted speed limit or less, depending on the conditions."
Don't assume plow drivers can see you. The vantage point from behind the wheel of a snowplow offers the driver a limited field of vision.
Never pass on the wing (right) side of the plow or drive into a snow cloud.
Give plows plenty of space when in motion and at stop signs and signals. Once the plow starts moving, the driver may turn on the sand/salt spreader. Leaving space will prevent sand/salt from being spread on your car.

FAQs

Are snow forts safe?

Educate children about dangers of building snow forts along the roadside or sliding into the street.
How can I help keep fire hydrants clear of snow?

Residents can help to keep hydrants clear of snow to assist the fire department with immediate emergency response. It is not necessary to clear to the edge of the street, but it is essential to shovel about a 3-to-4-foot ring all the way around the hydrant down to the area where the fire hoses are connected.
What do I do if my sod or landscaping is damaged during snow removal?

If our plowing equipment damages sod on the city right-of-way adjoining your property, call 952-227-1300 to report it.

Damage to city right-of-way from plows will be repaired in the spring with black dirt and grass seed. The city is not responsible for damage to landscaping and sprinkler heads located in the city-owned right-of-way. The street right-of-ways are important areas needed for snow storage during the plowing operations; therefore, it is recommended that residents remove and relocate objects (i.e., fences, landscaping, large rocks) that could hamper or be damaged by the snow removal operation.
What happens if my mailbox is damaged during snow removal?

If a mailbox is damaged by direct contact with snow removal equipment, the city will repair or replace it with a standard mailbox as soon as possible. Damage resulting from snow rolling off a plow or wing is the resident's responsibility. Mailboxes should be 42 inches above street level and not extend beyond the back of the curb. Refer to the Mailbox ABC's exhibit for more information. Call 952-227-1300 to report a damaged mailbox.
What's the proper way to clean snow out of my driveway?

Do not shovel, plow, or blow snow into the street. This is against state statute. Individuals who throw snow into the road make it more difficult to clear the street, particularly cul-de-sacs. It also creates ice hazards as other vehicles drive over the snow and compact it. You should wait to shovel the end of your driveway and mailbox until after the plow has cleared the street curb to curb. The plow may come through several times before completion, saving you from repeating the shoveling process.
Where do I put refuse and recycling containers when there is snow?

Place these containers three (3) feet into the driveway to prevent container damage and scattered materials on days plowing is likely to occur.
Who removes snow from sidewalks?
Snow removal and ice control on sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owners residing or controlling the properties adjacent to these sidewalks as follows:
- Residents living in single-family homes or duplexes must remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours.
- Apartment and commercial building owners are to clear sidewalks within four daytime hours after a storm ends.
- Pile snow into yards and boulevards. Do not shovel snow into the streets. This is against state statute.

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