Plowing of the streets begins when there is an accumulation of 2 inches or more of snow fall on the streets or severe icy conditions. The city snowplows operate based on a priority scale of 1 to 4, 1 being higher priority. Please be aware that if your street is of lower priority, and the snow is continuous through the day, it may take several hours and possibly the next day for your street to be plowed. Street priorities may change based on weather conditions. View the Snow Removal Priority Map

The city’s goal regarding snow removal is to provide timely access for safety vehicles into city residences in the event of severe weather. To accomplish this, we need everyone’s assistance and cooperation.

The City of Cedar Hills maintains approximately 30 miles of roads, public trails, and government building parking lots. These areas are maintained for snow removal, ice control, and salting by the Public Works Department from November 1 to March 31. Service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. After-hours service is limited, unless a snow emergency is declared. The city staff is committed to provide safe conditions for residents.

The city’s policy regarding snowplowing is that streets will be cleared according to priority beginning when the street has accumulated a minimum of two inches of snow and continuing until driving conditions are considered adequately safe. Streets receive a higher priority according to volume of traffic, location near schools or public buildings, and steepness of grade, etc. Typically, low-volume streets and cul-de-sacs remain the last to be plowed.

Emergency after hours: (801)420-2243

Equipment and Materials Used by the City

• Two bobtail and ten-wheel dump trucks with plows

• Trucks of various sizes

• Salt mixture (The city does not use cinders.)

Placing Snow in Roadway

Please refrain from removing snow or ice from individual private property and placing it in the roadway of any street. This makes it difficult to keep roads cleared, and doing so creates dangerous conditions for all motor vehicles.

Snow Plow Safety

• Drive slowly, do not try to pass, and never drive into a snow plow’s cloud.

• Snow plows often use wing plows extending off to either side to clear more snow quicker. Never pass a snow plow by driving on the shoulder, and be very careful while passing a plow in the left lane of a multi-lane highway. Give plow blades plenty of room along the center line of the roadway.

• Snow plows frequently stop and back up. If you are driving bumper to bumper, you are probably in the snow plow’s blind spot—an accident just waiting to happen. Give snow plows plenty of room to work in every direction.

• Driving into the cloud that a snow plow kicks up can instantly blind you, creating a total “whiteout.” Be very careful around snow plows.

• Do not allow children to play on or near the street when snow plowing is in progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does the City’s street snow removal program work?

A. Cedar Hills’ snow removal program is designed to help keep the city’s roadways as safe and accessible as possible both during and after snowstorms.  Since safety is the first priority, school zones, steep roads, and main roadways are plowed first. After these areas are cleared, streets are plowed according to volume of traffic, subdivision streets, cul-de-sacs, and then dead-end streets. If the storm is continuous and heavy, the plows will continue to open the main roadways and school zones as necessary, returning to the lower priority streets when possible.

Q. Are sidewalks plowed by the City?

A. Residents are responsible to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their own properties. This should be done as soon as possible after a storm to allow the sunshine to melt the ice from the sidewalk. Leaving snow on sidewalks to freeze during the night makes it more difficult to remove the ice and creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians. Certain home owner associations may offer sidewalk snow removal. Check with your individual HOA (if applicable) regarding snow removal in your area.

Q. The snowplows push snow into my freshly cleared driveway. Isn’t there a better way to clear the streets to show some consideration to city residents?

A. Unfortunately, there isn’t a better way to clear streets. The snow has to go somewhere, and to make our roads safe, that “somewhere” is the side of the road. Snowplow blades are designed to push snow to the side of the road. Homeowners are asked to wait until the street is cleared prior to cleaning out the drive approach, when possible. Just a reminder that it is illegal to throw or push snow into any street. This can make the road more dangerous for cars and snowplows. You are encouraged to move the snow onto your own property.

Q. Which roads are not plowed by the City?

• County roads are plowed by the County.

• Private roads are to be maintained by the homeowner association or a private entity. (If you have questions regarding whether your street is public or private, contact your HOA or the City of Cedar Hills)

• State roads are plowed by UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation).

Q. When do plowing and/or salting commence?

• Snowfall accumulation of two inches or more, or if conditions warrant.

• Accumulation of drifting snow.

• Ice and/or freezing rain that affect road conditions.

Once any of these conditions exist, the goal is to commence to provide safe travel conditions. Intersection cleanup and the plowing back of snow banks occur as needed. Normally, plow operators will begin plowing at 5:00 a.m. to have the major streets plowed before the morning rush hour. If conditions warrant, plow operators may begin to remove snow before 5:00 a.m. Plowing operations will be suspended when high winds causing whiteout conditions jeopardize the safety of the snow plow operators and/or the public.