Bucks County towns declare snow emergencies. What it requires of residents

With weather forecasters predicting a second winter storm wallop on Friday into Saturday, municipalities in Bucks County wasted no time in issuing snow emergencies for Friday and the weekend, preparing for their cleanup efforts.

What does it mean and how does it impact residents, visitors and businesses in Bucks County?

Bucks County forecast: Winter storm could dump up to 6 inches.

What is a snow emergency declaration

Generally, a snow emergency is a declaration by the township manager and police and public works departments when a winter snow and ice conditions are severe enough to require that vehicles should not be parked on public streets.

Generally, an emergency is declared when at least three inches of snow accumulate on streets. But in some towns vehicles must be removed from snow routes or public streets one hour before snow fall begins and 12 hours after it stops.

The purpose of a snow emergency is to allow snow plows the ability to remove snow and ice curb-to-curb on public streets to open up the road to better accommodate emergency vehicles, mail delivery, trash pickup and future street parking. Failure to move a car off a street likely will mean a ticket and a tow for a vehicle owner.

In some municipalities, though, a snow emergency declaration also temporarily imposes other restrictions or requirements in order to make snow removal smoother and safer.

More: Bucks County snow forecast: Lower Bucks under winter storm warning

More: Check out these sledding hills in Bucks County

What towns have declared a snow emergency of Jan. 19?

As of Thursday evening more than a half dozen Bucks County municipalities have declared snow emergencies or implemented other snow-related restrictions.

Bristol Borough prohibited parking on Mill Street effective 11 a.m. Friday Jan. 19, until 9 p.m. Friday Jan. 19.

Bristol Township declared a snow emergency effective 6 a.m. Friday Jan. 19 until 6 a.m. Saturday Jan. 20.  All vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. must be moved off all township streets.Vehicles are prohibited from parking on snow emergency routes during a declared emergency.

Dublin Borough declared a snow emergency effective Friday Jan. 19 at 6 a.m. for the duration of the storm or until snow and ice is cleared from public streets. All vehicles must be removed from public streets and avoid unnecessary travel. Vehicles parked on posted snow emergency routes will be ticketed and may be towed. Property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours after the precipitation has ended.

Falls Township declared a snow emergency for 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19 until 6 a.m. Saturday Jan. 20.  All vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. must be moved off all township streets.

Hilltown declared a snow emergency effective 6 a.m. Friday Jan. 19 until midnight Jan. 20. Residents are asked to clear the streets in front of their properties.

Lower Southampton declared a snow emergency effective 7 p.m. Thursday Jan. 18 until 7 a.m. Saturday Jan. 20. All vehicles must b e removed from any township streets.

Newtown Township declared a snow emergency effective 6 a.m. Friday Jan. 19 until midnight Saturday Jan. 20. It is unlawful for anyone to place snow or ice from a property into the travel portion of the street. All vehicles must be moved off public roadways after at least 1-inch of snow has accumulated until the snow has been completely plowed to allow the full width of a car.

Penndel Borough declared a snow emergency effective 6 a.m. on Friday Jan. 19 until 6 a.m. on Saturday Jan. 20. All vehicles parked on public streets must be moved.

Upper Southampton declared a snow emergency effective 7pm. Thursday Jan. 18, until until 8 a.m. Saturday January 20. It will be illegal to park a vehicle on any snow emergency route in the township.

Warrington declared a snow emergency effective 6 a.m. Friday January 19 until midnight Saturday Jan. 20.   All vehicles parked on township streets must be moved.

Wrightstown declared a snow emergency effective 6 a.m. Friday Jan. 19 until midnight Saturday Jan. 20. It is unlawful for anyone to place snow or ice from a property into the travel portion of the street. All vehicles must be moved off public roadways after at least 1-inch of snow has accumulated until the snow has been completely plowed to allow the full width of a car.

Sellersville Borough declared a snow emergency effective 10 a.m. Friday Jan. 19 until 10 a.m. Saturday Jan. 20. All persona are required to remove parked vehicles from the following areas: Both sides of Diamond Street, the west side of Diamond Street, both sides of East Church Street, East Temple Avenue, East Walnut Street, Lawn Avenue, Maple Avenue, Noble Street, North Main Street, South Main Street, West Temple Avenue and East Park Avenue, The borough also requires businesses and commercial properties to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within six hours and within 24-hours for residential properties.

Bedminster as of Friday morning is enforcing a township ordinance that requires all vehicles to be removed from township roads after 1-inch of accumulated snowfall or one-quarter inch of accumulated ice until snowplow operations are completed. Vehicles must be removed from roads within one hour of the start of a winter storm until 48 hours after the storm ends and plowing is completed.

Perkasie Borough has not declared snow emergencies as of Thursday but the towns require businesses and commercial properties to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within six hours.  Perkasie requires removal from residential properties within 18 hours and Sellersville within 24-hours.

More town could be added, check back later for an updated list.

More: No street brine dropped on Middletown's streets before the snow storm. Here's why

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What's a snow emergency and what does it mean in my Bucks County town?