Winter Plow Operations / Snow Removal

During the cold weather months, our work focuses heavily on snow removal. Undertaking a job of this scale requires the cooperation of all of our residents. Please help us help you by moving your parked vehicle out of the way when your street requires plowing.

When snow begins to fall, we monitor conditions throughout the city and treat busy arterial and collector streets, working around the clock to keep them safe and passable. As the snow amounts start to accumulate we transition to full plow operations, in general when snow depth reaches 3".  Once main roads and side streets are clear, our sidewalk crews then head out to clear sidewalks around the city, prioritizing school routes and heavy pedestrian areas.  Our work continues after the storm ends with snow removal and sanding/salting as needed.

For a comprehensive look at our winter operations, and further information on how you can help us during these tough Maine winters, please download our Winter Operations (PDF) brochure.

Plow Damage

Our street and sidewalk plow operators make every effort to prevent damage to curbing, lawns and property; despite our best intentions, sometimes such damage may occur. Public Works devotes time each spring to plow damage repair such as loaming, seeding, and curbing repair. Once the snow melts, if you determine your property has sustained damage from a city plow, please call us to be placed on the repair list.

If the damage involves property other than mentioned above, please call our office as soon as possible to report the incident. Additional information about plow damage specifically addressing the placement of fences and mailboxes can be found in the following Snowplow Damage (PDF).

Sand Buckets for Seniors

Winter means snow and ice and, invariably, an increased risk of falling. South Portland Public Works and Age Friendly South Portland have partnered in the hope of making winter a little safer. Seniors (aged 65+) and residents with mobility challenges can receive a five gallon bucket of sand/salt mix, delivered to their home, to help maintain their steps and walkways. To order your Sand Bucket, please call Public Works 207-767-7635, or email the Public Works Department. Sand Buckets for Seniors is a free service, with costs being underwritten by the Senior Steering Implementation Committee, South Portland Public Works, and South Portland Professional Firefighters Local 1476. Stay safe!

Snow Shoveling Volunteers Needed to Assist Seniors

Interested in providing snow-removal assistance to seniors this winter season? Age Friendly South Portland is seeking volunteers who are willing to help shovel critical walkways and pathways around the residences of our senior neighbors who are unable to do so themselves.

Together, let's help our senior community thrive and be prepared during the winter months. Sign up to become a snow-shoveling volunteer.

As senior residents request snow-shoveling services, AFSP will be in touch with volunteers, upon their acceptance and approval by the program, individually to match them with their assigned household(s) and provide any additional specifications or details related to requests.

Prohibited Placement of Snow and Ice 

For the safety and welfare of pedestrians and motorists, plowing, shoveling or otherwise moving snow or ice from private property onto any public right of way is prohibited, and violators will incur fines.  

Please refer to the following City Ordinance regarding illegal placement of snow/ice in a public right of way, and associated fines: 

Sec. 23-12.  No person shall remove, or cause to be removed, any snow or ice from any private property and place, or cause to be placed, the same on any public street or sidewalk. No person shall remove, or cause to be removed, any snow or ice from any private property and place, or cause to be placed, the same on any public or private property located across the street from that person's lot or parcel of land. A property owner utilizing an agent or contractor for snow and/or ice removal is liable for the actions of the property owner's agent or contractor.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Code of Ordinances to the contrary, every person adjudicated in a court of law to be in violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 for the first violation, $750 for the second violation committed within one calendar year after a previous violation, and $1,000 for the third and subsequent violations committed within two calendar years after a previous violation. A person may elect, in lieu of such penalty, to waive his/her right to a court appearance by paying the applicable waiver fee of $150 for the first violation, $250 for the second violation without regard to the date of the first violation, and $450 for the third violation without regard to the date of the prior violations. The waiver fee shall be paid to the City via the City's Public Works Department. Payment of this waiver fee must be received at the Public Works Department within 15 calendar days of the date of the Public Works Department's notice of the violation. If the waiver fee is not received within 15 calendar days of the date of the Public Works Department's notice of the violation, the stated waiver fee shall be doubled.    Ord. No. 11-19/20  10/29/19