Key takeaways
- The Macomb County Department of Roads maintains more than 1,700 miles of the county’s roads.
- County crews clear state and primary roads first, then local and subdivision streets.
- Cities and villages plow their own local streets on their own priority systems.
- Driveways and the ridge at the end of them are the property owner’s job.
On this page
Who is responsible, by road type
| Road type | Usually responsible | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| State highways | Michigan Department of Transportation, with some maintenance done by the county road agency | I-94, I-696, M-59 (Hall Road), M-53 (Van Dyke) |
| County roads | Macomb County Department of Roads | Mile roads and main roads; streets in townships |
| City and village streets | That city or village | Local streets in Warren, Sterling Heights and other cities |
| Private roads | The owner or association | Some condo and private subdivision roads |
| Driveways and aprons | The property owner | Including the ridge the road plow leaves |
Jurisdiction can differ road by road. When in doubt, check with the Macomb County Department of Roads or your city.
How county roads are prioritized
The Macomb County Department of Roads maintains more than 1,700 miles of roadway; counting state, city and residential streets, there are more than 4,400 miles of roads in the county. During winter, the department performs snow removal on a priority basis: state and primary roads must be clear and safe before crews begin on local and subdivision roads.
That is why your subdivision street is plowed last. It is by design, because keeping the main arteries open matters most to the most people and to emergency vehicles.
Townships and cities work differently
In Michigan, townships generally do not maintain their own roads; roads in townships fall under the county road agency. Cities and villages, by contrast, maintain their own local streets. So a resident of Macomb Township relies on the county for their subdivision street, while a resident of Sterling Heights relies on the city.
Cities set their own priorities. Sterling Heights, for example, aims to finish plowing all city streets, courts and cul-de-sacs within 30 to 36 hours after snowfall ends during a declared snow emergency.
Snow emergencies and street parking
During declared snow emergencies, some cities require vehicles to be off the street so plows can clear curb to curb. In Sterling Heights, vehicles left on the street during a declared emergency can be ticketed and towed. Rules vary by community, so check yours, and sign up for your city's alerts.
What road crews can do that you cannot
Road crews push snow to the side of the road, which means onto the end of your driveway. Michigan law, MCL 257.677a, prohibits people from depositing snow on a roadway, but exempts government crews working within their duties. That is why the ridge at the end of your driveway is yours to clear, and why you cannot push it back. See why the city plow blocks your driveway.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks are generally the adjacent property owner's responsibility, and many Macomb County communities set a deadline, often 24 hours after snowfall ends. See who has to shovel the sidewalk.
Reporting a problem
For county roads, contact the Macomb County Department of Roads; for city streets, contact your city's public works department. For state highways, MDOT. Emergencies always go to 911.
Where private plowing fits
Road agencies clear the road. Everything between the road and your door, meaning the apron, the driveway, walks and steps, is private work. That is the part we handle, across all 26 Macomb County communities.
Sources
Written by the Macomb Lawn & Snow Solutions team in Macomb Township, Michigan. We plow and salt homes and businesses across all 26 Macomb County communities, November 15 to April 15. Published September 28, 2026. About us · How we research these guides · How our dispatch works