Questions & Answers:

1. Why does DPW provide snow and ice control?

To keep roadways open and safe for emergency response by the Police, Fire and Ambulance services and to provide access to home, work, school and mobility to all City residents.

2. Why does the Department of Public Works have to plow from curb to curb?

To keep the streets clean of snow and ice, and allow melting snow to reach catch basins.

3. Why should I not throw snow back into the street?

Snow thrown back onto the roadway may freeze causing hazardous road conditions. You may cause injury to family, friends or neighbors.

4. Who is responsible for shoveling the sidewalks?

Each and every owner or owners and/or occupant or occupants of land abutting on a street within the city, every agent of any nonresident owner of such land within the city and every person or persons having charge of any church or public building situated upon any such land within the city, at times during the season of frost and snow is responsible for keeping the sidewalk and gutters in front of their respective properties free from snow and ice whenever the same can be kept free of the same. Whenever said sidewalk cannot be kept free from snow and ice as aforesaid by reason of the intensity of the frost, the same shall be kept strewn with ashes, sand or other materials in such manner as to enable persons to walk thereon with safety. Snow and ice must be removed from their sidewalks as aforesaid within 12 hours after each and every snowstorm has abated; and at any time within said period of 12 hours, upon service of a written order or notice of the Superintendent or of any police officer of the City to that effect. In the event that any owner, occupant and/or agent of any such land within the City shall fail to comply with the provisions of this article, the City may, at its discretion, contract for the removal of snow and ice. The cost for the City to remove any ice or snow which will obstruct the same or make it unsafe for pedestrians shall be set at $100. If it becomes necessary for the City to contract out for said removal of snow and ice, the cost shall be added to the tax bill of the abutting property owner for the removal of the snow and ice. For further information, please see the City of Kingston’s Code website for snow and ice removal.

5. I cannot shovel my driveway because I am elderly or disabled, what should I do?

Make arrangements with a family member, friend, neighbor or hire a contractor to do this for you.

6. My car was towed, where is it?

Call the Kingston Police Department at 331-1671.

7. Who can I call if I have a question regarding the City’s snow removal service?

Call the Kingston DPW 338-2114

8. When are Snow Emergencies declared?

The City of Kingston can implement a snow emergency when it is predicted that we are to receive three inches or more of snow accumulation.  A snow emergency can also be declared when snow is imminent. When declared, alternate side emergency parking parking will go into effect city wide. Click here for full details. The parking restrictions automatically go into effect two hours after a snow emergency is declared.

9. How will I receive notice of a snow emergency?

The City of Kingston will announce a snow emergency the following ways:

Online at https://kingston-ny.gov/ and at https://www.facebook.com/KingstonNYgov/

By phone using the City's emergency notification system, Swift911. Calls are made to all landlines within the database, as well as cell phone numbers submitted through the system. Text messages will also be sent to users who have signed up to receive text alerts. To enroll or to change your settings, visit: https://www.kingston-ny.gov/swift911

By e-mail. Recipients of Mayor Noble's Weekly Update will receive an e-mail notification with all pertinent information. To sign up, visit www.kingston-ny.gov and click "Newsletter Signup" on the left

Notifications will also be sent to local media.

10. If I do not have off-street parking, where can I park during a snow emergency?

When a snow emergency is called into effect, alternate side parking is initiated and it is required that all vehicles be parked on the correct side of the street (even side on even calendar days and odd side on odd calendar days) or removed from City streets once the emergency is put into place.

Alternative designated parking is available at the following locations:

Uptown Area – North Front Street lots, Former Parking Garage area, and the Dietz Stadium lot. (Please note that Dietz Stadium lot are available for overnight parking, but please do not park near the large piles of snow that will be removed throughout the night.)

Midtown Area – Sea Deli lot, Hodge Center, Cornell Street lot, Prince Street lot, and the Church at Franklin Street lot. Lot next to Arace, Broadway Commons (Former Kings Inn Lot)

Downtown Area – Dock Street lot (behind Mariner’s Harbor), both lots on Dock Street (on Rondout under bridge), Visitor’s Center lot, Abeel Street (passed The Armadillo), the Trolley Museum lot and Kingston point Beach lot.

*Vehicles should be removed from these lots within 24 hours after the snow emergency ends. Any vehicles left in these lots may be ticketed and towed.*

11. How will I know when the snow emergency is over?

Snow Emergency Cancellation Information can be obtained by checking www.kingston-ny.gov, by checking the City of Kingston’s Facebook page.

12. When will my refuse and/or recycling be picked up?

Typically, refuse and recycling pickup is only delayed due to significant snowfall. Depending on the conditions, the pickup schedule will vary, so detail for each situation will be supplied in the emergency notification.

13. Is there a fine for shoveling snow onto the street?

Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of this article shall be deemed guilty of an infraction thereof and shall be subject to a fine, upon conviction, in an amount not to exceed $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $200 for the third and any subsequent offenses in any one winter season between November 15 and April 15. For more information on these restrictions, please visit the City of Kingston’s Code website.

14. For snow emergency assistance, whom can I call?

For a SNOW-RELATED SERVICE REQUEST during a snow emergency call 845-338-2114 for immediate assistance.  This is the FASTEST WAY to get a service request resolved.  For Police/Fire/Ambulance Emergencies dial 911.  The direct Kingston Police Dispatch line is 845-331-1671.