SANDPOINT — Snow showers are in the forecast all week, and Sandpoint officials are reminding area residents of the city’s snow removal policy..

According to the National Weather Service in Spokane, the arrival of cooler weather late in the coming week may set the stage for significant lowland snow accumulations Friday into Saturday for many areas of the Inland Northwest, including Sandpoint and the rest of North Idaho.

With the winter in full swing, Sandpoint officials reminded residents that Priority 3 parking restrictions are in effect until March 1. Under the snow removal policy, residents are required to park only on the side of the street with even numbered addresses between the months of November and March. The goal, city officials said, is to allow room for city crews to get equipment down the city streets during snow removal operations.

In addition, following snow events, vehicles will need to be moved even when they are on the correct side of the street to allow street crews to clear the area.

The area covered by the Priority 3 parking restrictions, includes approximately 32 linear miles of primarily residential streets. Following snow events, Sandpoing officials said the area will typically be serviced during normal day shift hours after Priority 1 and 2 streets are passable. In the event conditions change, officials said plowing crews may need to return to Priority 1 and 2 streets prior to completing Priority 3 streets.

As part of the city’s snow removal policy, streets are designated as priority one, two or three. Priority one areas include arterials and major collector streets, as well as streets that serve emergency response facilities, schools, and streets with hills and sharp curves. Priority two includes streets generally located within the downtown business core. Priority three is all streets that do not fall under the first two priority areas, primarily residential.

It is in the priority one and three areas where on-street parking is restricted to the even numbered side of the street between Nov. 1 and March 1.

City officials said previously that the policy doesn’t mean that the even sides of those streets won’t be plow — they will — they just won’t be served until the vehicles have been moved, either because residents have gone to work or school or have just moved their vehicles.

As for priority two, on-street parking is prohibited in the downtown business sector between 2-6 a.m. between Nov. 1 and March 1, unless otherwise posted.

Citations may be issued for vehicles parked on the off number side of the street in Priority 3 areas. Vehicles and trailers are subject to towing at vehicle owners’ expense when on-street parking is not in accordance with the city’s snow removal policy.

City officials also reminded residents that portions of Priority 3 streets may not receive snow removal services until vehicles parked on the street no longer restrict access by snow removal equipment.

For more information or to read the city’s snow removal policy, go online to sandpointidaho.gov/home/showdocument?id=8039 .

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.