Snow Emergency Policy
The Borough Mayor is the authorized individual to make the determination if a snow emergency is necessitated based on current snow accumulation or impending snowfall. Announcements of snow emergencies will be communicated as early as possible via the Borough’s Facebook page.
Snow Emergency Routes
In order to allow Borough crews to safely and efficiently clear roadways and provide critical access for emergency vehicles and essential services, the streets listed below have been designated as snow emergency routes:
• S. Landvale Street / York Haven Rd – PA‑382
• North and South Front Street / York Haven Road – PA‑181
• Pennsylvania Avenue
Parking During a Snow Emergency
All vehicles, both operational and nonoperational, which are parked on snow emergency routes after the announcement of the emergency will be towed and fined at the owner’s expense. For information on impounded vehicles contact the Newberry Township Police Department. Parking at private lots is done at the vehicle owner’s risk. Vehicles may be parked on public lots during a snow emergency. All residence parking in the private lots of Believers in Christ Church and 3rd Space MUST remove their vehicles after the snow emergency has ended. Vehicles will be towed at the owners expense if not removed.
These include:
York Haven Park parking lot – 2nd Street
York Haven Park parking lot – Zeigler Avenue
Believers in Christ Church parking lot – 37 Pennsylvania Avenue Believers in Christ Church parking lot – 121 S. Front Street Common Ground / 3rd Space parking lot – 2 South Front Street
Private Plowing
Private plows are not permitted to plow public streets. Private plows servicing private property may not pile snow onto public streets or adjacent private property.
Sidewalk Snow & Ice Removal
All sidewalks are to be cleared of snow for at least a width of three (3) feet within twenty-four (24) hours after the end of the snowfall. Sidewalks within the General Business District are to be cleared for at least a width of six (6) feet within ten (10) hours after the cessation of snowfall, except if said cessation occurs between 5:00 PM and 2:00 AM, when it must be cleared by noon the following day.
In the event that snow and ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without damage to the sidewalk, sand, salt or another abrasive material should be put on the sidewalk to make travel thereon reasonably safe.
Fire Hydrants
If a fire hydrant is located on or adjacent to a property, owners are encouraged to clear a 3-foot radius around the entire hydrant to create a clear path and to ensure that the top of the hydrant is visible in the case of emergency.
About our Emergency Snow Removal Process
Plowing will begin when it is determined that at least two inches of snow can be measured on the road. The first priority is to clear all snow emergency routes, and the fire department. To plow the entire Borough Road Network generally takes 6 to 8 hours after snow stops falling. Crews begin plowing secondary and tertiary roads after clearing and opening all snow emergency routes. Please be patient with snow removal.
Please note: the York Haven employees cannot plow resident’s drive-ways as they are considered private property.
If your street has not been plowed, please refrain from clearing the last 3-4 feet of your driveway as it will be plowed in once the plows make their final pass along the curb line. York Haven Borough has these measures in place to ensure efficient snow maintenance operations. Please be patient as our crews do their best to clear the roads to ensure the safety and welfare of the general public. Your part in adhering to the guidelines above are greatly appreciated!
Please also refrain from flagging down snow plow drivers. For comments/concerns about snow removal, call the Borough at 717-266-7261.
For weather-related emergencies, tune in to the following stations:
Operation Snowflake
- WSBA 910 AM
- WARM 103 FM
Storm Watch Radio
- WHP 580 AM
- 97.3 WRVV FM
- 94.9 BOB FM
- 99.3KISS FM
Storm Watch TV
- WHP-TV (CBS 21)
- WLYH-TV (CW 15)
- WGAL-TV (NBC 8)
- WHTM-TV (ABC 27)
