SNOW REMOVAL

The City of Burbank Public Works Department strives to provide effective snow and ice removal from the public streets within the City during winter weather conditions. While these conditions exist, it is expected that motorists will exercise the appropriate caution necessitated by the weather.

Every snowstorm is unique and the removal plan for each storm is directly related to the amount, type and severity of the precipitation. Streets are addressed giving priority to snow route streets to provide safe travel for the high volumes of traffic and for emergency vehicles that use these roads. The removal policy is intended to keep vehicular traffic moving at a safe and constant speed. Snow route streets are kept clear at all times by plowing and the continuous application of deicer materials throughout the storm. This stage is begun after the snow has stopped or at the discretion of the director. Low volume traffic areas are plowed after all priority streets have been plowed and treated. Anti-skid or deicer materials will be applied to these streets as necessary. Throughout the storm, known trouble locations, "hot spots", (dangerous intersections) are closely monitored. All snow is plowed to the side of the street. The City does not remove the snow plowed in front of or into driveways.

A snow or ice event is treated initially with a salt or salt/sand mixture spreading operation. If conditions and accumulations warrant, generally one inch of accumulation, the operation switches to plowing snow.

The Snow Removal Program includes 10 snow plow vehicles driven by employees from the Public Works Departments. The Public Works Department strives to make at least one pass on every public street within 24 hours after a winter storm has ended.
Questions or Complaints:

The Public Works Department will respond to all calls for slick spots after the storm has ended and drivers have treated all streets. You may call Public Works (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) to report your concerns.

Tips for helping snow removal operations

Stay back at least 50’ from the rear of the plow truck so the rock salt they spread will not hit your vehicle. 

If parking your vehicles in the driveway and don’t allow vehicles to extend into the roadway.

Cars in the roadway hinder the performance of snow removal operations. If street parking is absolutely necessary, do not park directly across from another parked car. Visibility is poor during snow removal and the trucks are large and need room to maneuver. Please give the trucks plenty of room.

Children are attracted to snowplow trucks. Teach your children to stay away from the street when they see the trucks coming. Snow plow trucks move several tons of snow off the pavement. It is extremely dangerous to allow children to play near the road during snow removal. The truck drivers cannot always see children playing and the weight and force of moving snow could cause serious injury. Some trucks are capable of plowing multiple lanes of snow at one time with wing plows.

Avoid passing or driving beside these trucks – especially to their right (passenger) side. When shoveling your driveway, do not place the snow from your driveway back into the street.

Portable basketball goals, hockey goals, skate board ramps and other portable structures should always be off the street surface. Trees that are located close to the street with branches growing above the pavement must have the branches trimmed a minimum of twelve feet above the pavement.

In the past, snow removal trucks have been damaged by low hanging limbs resulting in equipment down time and a slower snow removal program.

During all inclement weather conditions, you should keep informed on weather and driving conditions through the local media.