Snow Removal

The primary goal of the Noblesville Street Department's snow removal are to maintain safe travel routes during the winter season for emergency response as well as to restore mobility for the traveling public within a reasonable time frame following winter storm conditions.

If you notice that your property has been damaged by a city plow during snow removal,
please fill out either form below to be added to our repair list.

Yard Damage

Mailbox and/or Post Damage

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for cleaning snow filled streets?

The Noblesville Street Department clears all public streets. There are, however, several streets within the city limits which are private and therefore the responsibility of private contractors or fall under the jurisdiction and maintenance of Hamilton County or the State of Indiana. City of Noblesville Street Department crews work in 12-hour shifts, using as many as 30 snow plows, 18 salt spreaders, and 6 brine application trucks, when necessary. As storm increases in length and severity, the proportion of roads that crews can effectively service decreases. Guidelines list priority streets based on traffic volume and necessity to move emergency traffic through that area.  

When does the City of Noblesville begin preparing for a snow event?

The Noblesville Street Department uses local and national weather forecasts to determine when we begin our pre-treatment of city streets. When the forecast calls for snow, the Noblesville Street Department will begin anti-icing treatments on main streets using a brine solution. However, this cannot be done when rain is at the leading edge of a snow event. Rain will dilute the brine solution making it less effective. Brine is used to produce a barrier between the asphalt surface and the snow. This keeps the snow from producing an icy bond and creating slick streets.

Which streets are plowed first?

The Noblesville Street Department follows a priority plowing system for our approximately 500 lane miles of streets. Our crew's first priority is to keep primary streets clear. When this is accomplished they will move on to secondary and alternate streets.

• Primary - Main thoroughfares, classified as arterials, hills and bridges. 
• Secondary - Main streets through subdivisions, roads that link arterials and streets with schools.
• Alternates - Minor residential streets, side streets and culs-de-sac. The City of Noblesville has 455 culs-de-sac. It takes approximately 20 minutes to plow one cul-de-sac of snow which is approximately six times longer than it would take to plow a street of the same size.
  
  

Does the city plow alleys?

Normally the Noblesville Street Department does not plow alleys. During heavier snow accumulations, the Noblesville Street Department will evaluate the need for plowing alleys to assist with the collection of garbage and to assist residents with travel. Due to their narrow width, plowing alleys deposits snow on garages making it difficult for the residents to access their property.

Who clears sidewalks and driveways?

Each is the responsibility of residents and property owners. Residents should shovel snow into the yard, not into the street. Putting snow onto the street is against the law because it causes dangerously slippery conditions for both motorists and pedestrians. Avoid double shoveling by waiting until after your street has been plowed to clear your driveway. Depositing some snow in private driveways is unavoidable for the plow trucks when plowing city streets. Plow drivers make every effort to keep the amount of snow deposited into driveways to a minimum. 

Do all streets get salted?

All city streets will receive salt whenever necessary to provide for safe travel during snow events. Along with salt, the City of Noblesville utilizes salt brine to prevent the adhesion of snow to the street surface. 

To view our Mailbox Policy and Damage Repair Request Form, click here.