When you hire a snow removal contractor in advance, they should typically go over your lot for any areas that could be damaged accidentally or cause damage to any equipment, and the contractor should notate or mark those areas off. These areas can be typically marked off using mapping software and/or reflective snow stakes. The mapping can be used when there is a need for collaboration between many team members and you, the customer. But typically, and most commonly snow stakes are the simplest and most effective tool to use. When using snow stakes, your contractor will typically go around and mark the curbs, posts, flower beds, or any other area of the lot or near the lot that could be easily plowed over when everything is covered by snow and not visible. The snow stakes commonly used are a few feet in length, usually bright orange and have reflective material on them to make them easy to see when there is snow fall.

If you were not able to get an agreement with a snow removal contractor in advance, then it might be a good idea to complete some of the steps below to help assure that your snow removal process goes smoothly this winter, especially if you’re hiring someone last minute.

1. Patch Potholes and Fill in and Seal Cracks

It’s a good idea to patch any potholes you have in your parking lot and seal any cracks that are there. Large amounts of water seeping into those areas and pooling reduces the life of the asphalt or concrete and increases the chances for potholes or cracks, especially when there are temperatures that go above and below freezing on a frequent basis. It can also be a great idea to consult with asphalt paving contractors or concrete contractors local to you.

2. Mark Sensitive Areas – Curbs, Flower beds, etc.

Order some reflective snow stakes and go through your parking lot and mark off any areas that you don’t want snow plowed onto, areas that you don’t want a plow, tires or any other equipment to make contact with. You should make sure to use snow stakes high enough to substantially stick out above the height of the snow you’re expecting so they’re clearly visible when there is snow on the ground.

3. Properly Mark Fire Hydrants and/or Hook-Ups

Mark off any fire-hydrant or water hookups with the proper markings that are required by the laws in your area, make sure they can stay visible when it is snowing.

4. Optional: Pre-Treat your Parking Lot with Salt or Calcium Chloride

Optional: If your contractor isn’t salting and you want to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to lay a coating of salt or calcium chloride (deicing agent) not only after the storm but also before the storm. This will help reduce the bond of the snow/ice to the parking lot and make the snow removal work come out with a result that’s a lot cleaner.

5. Have a Plan That Takes Your Operating Hours Into Consideration

If you’re a business that has customers and employees that need to be there in person, it would be a great idea to coordinate with your snow removal contractor so that you can make sure that parking lots and walkways are clear during operating hours. You don’t want your lot cleared at midnight while it’s still snowing, only to have it needing to be re-cleared in the morning before you open.

6. Keep Deicing Agents and a Shovel on hand

If you’re only able to get the parking lot and walkways cleared one time, you could use that time to get the bulk of it. But, you should keep some deicing agents on hand along with a shovel to keep the high traffic areas clear. Its also good to have on hand for when the snow and ice melts into water, then refreezes over night. If you’re unable to get a contractor back out, it’s definitely a good idea to keep a shovel and some deicing agent on hand, especially since they can be scarce at the stores during a large storm.

7. Empty Your Parking Lot Before Snowfall – if Possible

Lastly, having a lot full of cars can make it very hard or even increase the price of snow removal due to how much harder it becomes to have to move snow around parked cars. If you have a parking lot where you’re able to temporarily move vehicles and other objects from the parking lot before the storm that would hep ensure a neatly cleaned parking lot.

A lot of times it’s also possible to work with the contractor if space is limited. You can move vehicles to another side of the parking lot while the opposite end is being plowed, and repeat this process.

These are just some tips that could help you be more efficient and get a better results, in the event that you don’t retain a contractor in time and you have to partially do some of the work yourself.

Measuring your parking lot, driveway, or other area where you plan on performing snow removal and/or deicing.

Method 1

You can go to the location and measure by hand, or you can use a readily available, and free tool provided by google.

Heres how:

1. Go to https://www.google.com/maps
2. Enter the location address that has the area you need measurements for
3. Click on the “Layers” box in the bottom left hand corner of the map and select “Satellite”
   
4. Then, right click on the map and select “Measure distance”
   
5. After you click “Measure distance,” a white dot will appear. Click on this dot and drag it to a starting location from where you want to start measuring. Keep in mind, you will be measuring area, so you will basically be creating a circumference area around the parts where you need to measure.
   
6. Then, after you find a good spot for the first measurement dot, find the next part and just click, then another dot will appear and create a line.
7. Continue to do this until you’ve surrounded the area you want to get the area measurement of. Keep in mind that it will only show you the area when the area is fully closed in, so make sure that your last dot connects to the first dot at the end.
   
8. Repeat this process for every part that you need the area of.

Method 2 – Aerial Drone Mapping

If you have an area that can be more complex, needs to be more accurate, has parts of the parking lot that need to be accurately viewed in high resolution, or if Google doesn’t have up to date images of your snow removal area, then this might be a better option.

Drone Aerial Mapping. There are Philadelphia Drone Companies that can accurately map out an area, in high definition, where you can see every pothole in the lot, every expansion joint, and ever part of any curbs that are already damaged for reference.

If you’re a contractor, property manager, or property owner, you can use this aerial mapping for right now and for future reference. You can keep track of any damage, any areas that need to be repaired and easily share the map and collaborate with others on your team, or with subcontractors.

Philadelphia’s snow removal ordinance is fairly simple. But, don’t think that following this ordinance can keep you safe from any liability. Following the rules in the ordinance will keep you from getting fined by The City of Philadelphia, it won’t remove your liability in the event that something happens on a property you own or are responsible for.

Here is our simplified breakdown of the snow removal ordinance

Who’s Responsible?

The owner, agent, and tenant of the property are responsible, unless it is a multifamily property which then makes the property owner or agent responsible.
*an agent is anyone or any company acting on behalf of the responsible party. This can be the property manager, general manager, snow removal company, etc. This also depends on your agreement with that agent. 

How Much Time is Allowed Before Clearing Snow and Ice?

The City of Philadelphia allows up to six hours after final snowfall to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and walkways.
This also depends on the City’s definition of “final snowfall”, so keep that in mind.

How Wide Does the Path Need To Be?

Any sidewalk or walkway that is against your building or on your premise needs to be cleared of snow an ice at a minimum width of 36″.
If the total width of the sidewalk is less than 36″, then the minimum width to clear the snow and ice is 12″.
*This includes any curb cuts. Curb cuts are usually ADA ramps or cuts in the curb to enter onto the sidewalk in some form.

Where Do I Put The Snow and/or Ice?

The City doesn’t specify where you should move the snow and ice to, but the City does explain that you are not allowed to move and snow and/or ice from sidewalks or walkways into the street

Penalties

The minimum penalty for not following this ordinance is $50
The maximum penalty is $300.

More Importantly

You should not base your snow and ice removal plan or process solely on the City’s ordinance. This is their ordinance before they are allowed to fine a property. We think that is is very important to maintain clean and clear walkways, sidewalks, parking lots & and driveways to avoid liability in the event that an accident occurs or someone slips and gets injured. In most cases, waiting up 6 hours after snowfall is not a good idea.

Note: this is OUR simplified interpretation of the City of Philadelphia’s snow and ice removal ordinance. We do not make any claims to be 100% factual or accurate. Do not base your snow and ice management around this article or this information. View the city’s full snow and ice removal ordinance here:
https://www.phila.gov/services/safety-emergency-preparedness/natural-hazards/winter-weather/#snow-and-ice-removal