In many parts of the country, October is the calm before winter. The first snowfall can arrive with little warning, and with it come plow routes, snow emergencies and parking bans. If you park on the street, a few hours of preparation this month can save you tickets, tows and a lot of shoveling later.
Learn your city’s winter parking rules
Cities handle winter very differently. Some declare snow emergencies that restrict parking on certain routes. Others alternate which side of the street you can park on, or ban overnight parking during storms. Some designate snow emergency routes with signs along the street. These rules can be detailed, and they change over time. Find the winter parking page on your city’s official website and read it now, before the first storm.
- Find out whether your street is a snow emergency route.
- Learn how the city announces snow emergencies or parking bans.
- Know where cars are taken if they are towed, and how to retrieve them.
Sign up for alerts
Many cities send snow emergency and parking ban alerts by text, email, phone or app. Sign up for every official channel your city offers, and follow local news on storm nights. If you share a household car, make sure everyone who might move it gets the alerts.
Plan where you will park during a storm
The hardest part of a parking ban is figuring out where to go at night with snow coming down. Make that plan now.
- Identify off-street options near home, such as a driveway, a friend’s space or a garage.
- Ask whether your city offers discounted or free garage parking during declared emergencies; some do.
- Know which nearby streets are not restricted during a snow emergency.
Prepare your car
A car that sits on the street in winter takes a beating. Before the cold arrives, check the essentials:
- Tires with good tread, or winter tires if you live where snow is common.
- Battery health, since cold weather is hard on batteries.
- Wiper blades and washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures.
- An ice scraper, snow brush and small shovel in the car.
- A blanket, gloves, a flashlight and a phone charger for emergencies.
If you have not had your car serviced in a while, a pre-winter check from a trusted mechanic is a good investment.
Be a good neighbor in snow season
Winter parking brings its own etiquette. Clear around your car fully so plows can do their work, and do not shovel snow into the street. Keep hydrants clear when you can do so safely, since firefighters need them to be visible. Some neighborhoods have informal customs about saving shoveled spaces; whether they are allowed depends on local policy, so check your city’s rules and stay courteous.
Winter will arrive on its own schedule. If you have your plan, your alerts and your car ready by Halloween, you will be in good shape whenever the first flakes fall.
