FAQs: Snow Removal
Where do I call about getting my street plowed?
What if my street is in a new development or a development still under construction?
What if my street is in a townhouse or condominium complex?
What about my pipestem driveway?
Will the county plow my street?
Who is responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalks in my neighborhood?
Where do I call about snow removal at a county facility?
Where do I call about getting my street
plowed?
The Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for
removing snow and ice from the thousands of miles of public roads
(interstate, primary and secondary) in Fairfax County. Clearing is done
on a priority basis, with interstates and high volume roads cleared
first. Once the most heavily traveled roads and emergency routes are
adequately clear, snow crews move to less-traveled roads and
subdivisions.
Public roadways maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation can typically be identified by a route number sign (a small rectangular sign with black numbers on a white background) posted at the intersection with other streets. Please contact their Northern Virginia District Office for additional information (703-383-8368, TTY 711).
If your street is not identified with a route number sign, it is most
likely privately maintained. Snow removal on privately maintained roads
is the responsibility of the property owners along the road or the
homeowner association. See below for further information.
What if my street is in a new
development or a development still under construction?
If a state route
number is not posted in a subdivision, the road is likely either a
privately maintained street, or a future public road that is secured
through a development agreement and security that is held by Fairfax
County, commonly referred to as being "under bond." For
information regarding snow and ice removal within a subdivision under
bond, contact the Environmental and Facilities Inspections
Division at 703-324-1950, TTY 711. Further information also
may be found in the document "Snow Removal at Projects
Under Development (Under Bond)" (PDF).
What if my street is in a
townhouse or condominium complex?
If a street in a townhouse or condominium complex is not posted with a
state route
number, it is a private street that is the responsibility of the
homeowner/condominium association to plow. Please contact your
association or property manager for further information.
What about my pipestem
driveway?
Pipestem driveways are privately owned and maintained by the property
owners on the pipestem. Snow removal would be the property owners'
responsibility.
Will the county plow my
street?
Fairfax County plows only a few miles of designated sections of roadway
that are in the Fairfax County Road Maintenance and Improvement Program.
These road sections are identified by blue signs that say, "Fairfax
County Maintained Here to XXX feet." For snow removal on these street
sections, please contact the Maintenance & Stormwater Management
Division at 703-877-2800, TTY 711 or by e-mail.
Who is responsible for clearing snow
from the sidewalks in my neighborhood?
Neither the Virginia Department of Transportation nor Fairfax County
clears snow and ice from public walkways (sidewalks and trails). While
not legally obligated, citizens and businesses are asked to help keep
sidewalks safe. They should, as soon as feasible, clear snow off the
sidewalks in front of their property so that all pedestrians, especially
school children, those with disabilities, and the elderly, may walk
securely.
Homeowner associations may require members of their communities to clear
walkways abutting their property. Please contact your association or
property manager for further information.
Where do I call about snow removal at a
county facility?
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is responsible
for snow removal at most general county facilities (governmental centers,
public safety and judicial complex, libraries, health, community centers,
and the like). Clearing is performed on a priority basis, with government
centers and public safety facilities having highest priority. Public
Works also clears snow from county-maintained park-and-ride and commuter
rail station lots. For information, contact the Maintenance &
Stormwater Management Division at 703-877-2800, TTY 711, or by
e-mail.
Snow clearance for facilities under the jurisdiction of the county's Department of Housing and Community
Development, the Fairfax County Park
Authority, and Fairfax County Public
Schools is the responsibility of those agencies, respectively.


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