Winter is here! Don’t get caught unprepared, see our winter weather tips and checklist below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our department at RUoffcampus@echo.rutgers.edu.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Stay connected and up to date with winter weather tips by following Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships on Facebook and Instagram: @ruoffampus.
Winter Weather Tips
- Under the state housing codes, from October 1 to May 1, the landlord must provide enough heat so that the temperature in the apartment is at least 68 degrees from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., the temperature in the apartment must be at least 65 degrees. Cite: N.J.A.C. 5:10-14 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 5:28-1.12(m). Local health codes cover parts of the year not covered by housing codes.
- Before winter approaches, you should have rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways.
- Check with your landlord to see who’s responsible for shoveling the snow/ice. Is it you and your roommates? Or does the landlord take care of it?
- When shoveling snow, do not shovel it into the streets. It’s causes a problem for emergency vehicles.
- Know where you can/cannot park when it snows. A full list of streets that we are not allowed to park on when it snows can be found at https://www.njnbpa.org/parking-info/snow-parking/.
Snow Preparedness
- Students are responsible for shoveling walkways and stairs within 12 hours of a snow storm.
12.16.010 – Removal by owner, occupant or tenant. The owner, occupant or tenant of premises abutting or bordering upon any street in the city shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such streets or, in the case of ice which may be so frozen as to make removal impracticable, shall cause the same to be thoroughly covered with sand or ashes within twelve (12) daylight hours after the same shall fall or be formed thereon. - Use rock salt or sand on your sidewalks and steps so you or a neighbor do not slip.
- Be sure to shovel out the fire hydrant if located in front of your house.
- When shoveling, do not throw snow in the streets.
- In the case of a severe storm, be aware of how high your snow piles are near driveway for visibility reasons.
- If you have a car, be sure you understand where to move your vehicle. A list of streets allowed to be parked on can be found at https://www.njnbpa.org/parking-info/snow-parking/.
- Residents must ensure that trash and recycle bins are accessible to the collection vehicle.
- In the case of a severe storm, make sure all of your electronics are fully charged.
- To find information about Rutgers operating status and more, visit https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu/operating-status.
- For more information about snow, The City of New Brunswick will post on their website at https://www.cityofnewbrunswick.org/.
- If you have any concerns, call Rutgers Police Non-Emergency at (732) 932-7211.
- Receive real-time alerts for our area by signing up at http://www.nixle.com/.
