Eastern Iowa cities declare snow emergencies

Most cities in Eastern Iowa have declared snow emergencies. At minimum, that means no parking on snow emergency routes. Here are details of snow laws in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City:

Cedar Rapids

A snow emergency is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday, with no parking on the major streets marked as snow routes.

A residential snow emergency is expected to be called Wednesday to help with cleanup of residential streets. That means: Cars must park on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days (like Thursday) and on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days (like Wednesday). The requirement is enforced from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents must clean sidewalks within 48 hours of the end of a major snow.

The city will not enforce the city sidewalk ordinance in flooded areas in parts of Time Check, near Czech Village and around the Sinclair plant and Osborn Park, though a state law still holds property owners liable should someone fall. The city will plow those sidewalks Thursday and Friday.

Iowa City

Once the city manager's office declares a snow emergency, residents in residential areas should park on the even side of streets on even-numbered dates, the odd side on odd-numbered dates.

On streets where parking is permitted on just one side: If the permitted parking is on the even-numbered side of the street, you can park there only on an even-numbered day; you must move your car off the street on odd-numbered days. If the permitted parking is on the odd-numbered side of the street, you can park there only on odd-numbered days; you must move your car off the street on even-numbered days.

Snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after a snow of more than 1 inch or any accumulation of ice has stopped.