South Dakota Sends Snow Removal Rules Reminder

Realizing that the recent blizzard event in western South Dakota was an extraordinary event, there still are proper ways to get rid of snow.

Some folks have placed snow in the right-of-way and the South Dakota Department of Transportation feels the need to freshen people’s memories about what to do with the white stuff.

In a press release from the DOT, they state that private citizens and snow removal companies cannot put snow in the highway right of way, which includes driving surfaces, shoulders and ditches.

Todd Seaman who is the Rapid City region engineer said, “The recent snowstorms in parts of western and central South Dakota have deposited a large amount of snow already this year and we are seeing an increase in violators. The space within the right of way needs to be reserved for future snow that may fall on the road. If the department’s plow operators do not have a place to put that snow, it severely hampers their ability to clear roadways.”

Penalties for dumping snow in the right of way is a violation of the anti-dumping law and is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one year in jail, $2,000 in fines, or both. It is the policy of the SDDOT to remove snow that has been illegally piled within the highway right of way that may be a safety hazard. In addition, violators will be billed for the costs of removing illegally dumped snow.