Baltimore Launches Temporary Alley Snow Clearing Operation

City crews working overtime to clear backlog of trash and recycling after winter storm

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The Baltimore City Department of Public Works has launched a temporary operation to clear snow and ice from alleys across the city following last week's winter storm. The two-week effort is aimed at helping residents who have been unable to take out their trash and recycling due to the uncleared alleys. While the city says alley maintenance is typically the responsibility of homeowners, they are providing the additional assistance due to the unusual weather conditions.

Why it matters

The heavy snowfall has created a backlog of trash and recycling in many Baltimore neighborhoods, leading to unsanitary conditions and frustration among residents. The city's temporary alley clearing operation is an effort to address this public health and quality of life issue, though it raises questions about long-term alley maintenance responsibilities.

The details

Baltimore's Department of Public Works began the alley clearing operation on Sunday, with crews working 12-hour shifts from 7am to 7pm. On Wednesday, the operation shifted to a 24-hour schedule. So far, over 300 alleys have been cleared, with priority given to routes scheduled for earlier in the week. Residents are being asked to place their trash and recycling along the sides of the alleys or at the front of their homes during the clearing process.

  • The alley clearing operation began on Sunday, February 5, 2026.
  • On Wednesday, February 8, 2026, the operation shifted to a 24-hour schedule.

The players

Baltimore City Department of Public Works

The city agency responsible for maintaining Baltimore's infrastructure, including streets, alleys, and waste management.

Mayor Brandon Scott

The current mayor of Baltimore, who acknowledged that while alley maintenance is typically a homeowner responsibility, the city is providing additional assistance due to the unusual weather conditions.

Gabby Gross

A Baltimore resident living near the Canton neighborhood, who expressed frustration with the backlog of trash and recycling due to the uncleared alleys.

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What they’re saying

“Our trash has been full for the past week and a half. We have a stack of recyclables in our kitchen. We can't take them out yet because there's nowhere to put them.”

— Gabby Gross, Baltimore Resident

“The City has not previously conducted a citywide alley snow and ice clearing operation, and this initiative should not be viewed as a permanent change to alley maintenance responsibilities. This temporary effort does not prevent or replace residential efforts to remove snow and ice from their alleys, particularly as temperatures warm and conditions improve.”

— Baltimore City Department of Public Works

“(The alleys) are technically not the responsibility of the city. This is technically the responsibility of the homeowners. But now that we have more capacity, we're bringing in more contractors to help folks out.”

— Mayor Brandon Scott

What’s next

DPW expects the alley clearing operation to last for about two weeks, depending on the weather. The city will continue to provide updates on the progress of the operation.

The takeaway

The temporary alley clearing operation in Baltimore highlights the challenges cities face in balancing homeowner responsibilities and providing public services, especially during extreme weather events. While the city is stepping in to address the immediate issue, the long-term maintenance of alleys remains an open question that will likely require further discussion between residents and local government.