Jefferson County, MO Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- No-notice tow
- Vehicles blocking snowplows can be towed without notice
- Owner cost
- Owner not charged for that specific tow
- Related ban
- Parking blocking snow removal also banned (§320.050(A)(16))
- Coverage
- Applies to county roads, highways, alleys
- Penalty class
- Related violations are infractions (§340.220)
Summary
Jefferson County lets Public Works tow, without notice or a hearing, any vehicle situated so as to impede snow removal, construction, or maintenance operations, and the owner isn't charged for that tow. A separate rule bans parking anywhere that obstructs emergency snow removal along county roads.
When any motor vehicle or junked motor vehicle is situated on or about a highway, road or alley so as to impede snow removal operations or construction, repair and maintenance services conducted or authorized by the Jefferson County Public Works Department, said vehicle may be towed or moved to a location deemed appropriate by Jefferson County without prior notification or an opportunity to be heard. The operator of the motor vehicle shall not be charged for the towing expense if the vehicle is towed pursuant to this Subsection.
Full Breakdown
040(B) gives Jefferson County a fast, notice-free tool for keeping roads clear during winter operations: when a motor vehicle or junked motor vehicle is situated on or about a highway, road, or alley so as to impede snow removal operations, or construction, repair, and maintenance services conducted or authorized by the Jefferson County Public Works Department, the vehicle may be towed or moved to a location the county deems appropriate without prior notification to the owner or an opportunity to be heard first. 080 for an abandoned-vehicle tow.
050(A)(16), which separately lists parking upon any portion of a road so as to obstruct emergency snow removal operations among the specific places where stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle is barred outright. Together the two sections mean a car left on a county road or its shoulder during or ahead of a snow event can be relocated by the county at no cost to the county and no cost to the owner, purely to keep the plow route open.
Violations & Fines
Because Section 340.040 sits in Chapter 340, a related parking violation carries the chapter's general penalty at Section 340.220: an infraction, with each act treated as a separate offense. The tow itself under Subsection (B) is not styled as a punishment, since the operator pays nothing for it, but a vehicle repeatedly left to block plowing can still be separately cited under Section 320.050 for obstructing snow removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Jefferson County tow my car without warning if it's blocking a snowplow?
Will I have to pay towing fees if my car is moved for snow removal?
Is it illegal to park somewhere that could block a snowplow even before a storm hits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Missouri parking rules overview
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