During a Snow Emergency:
Park on the Odd Side During Winter 2023/24 Snow Emergencies, Unless Otherwise Posted: When winter begins in an odd-numbered year – like this winter, the winter of 2023-24 – parking is only allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street during a snow emergency. There are a small number of exceptions. These exceptions are noted by signs on that street. For an explanation of why some streets have posted exceptions to the general rule, click here.
Once a Snow Emergency is Declared, You Have 4 Hours to Move Your Car: You have four hours after a snow emergency is declared to move your car to the odd-numbered side of the street, or to municipal lots (map) available for resident use during a snow emergency. Parking is not allowed in school lots during snow emergencies. But you can park at meters on the odd-numbered side of a street during a snow emergency, as long there is no sign stating otherwise.
Municipal Lots: During declared snow emergencies, you may park in City-owned parking lots including at City buildings and metered municipal lots in City business districts. You may not park in school lots. See this map of available municipal lots. If you do use City lots, please note that all cars must be moved within two hours of the end of the emergency. Snow emergencies can be lifted at any time, including during work hours, so if you are unable to move your car out of a City lot at potentially short notice, please consider finding alternative parking.
Meters and time-parking rules are not enforced during snow emergencies: You do not have to pay for meters or stick to meter time limits during a snow emergency. Just be sure if your metered space is on the street, that it's the odd-numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted. During snow emergencies, the City also does not enforce an ordinance prohibiting cars from being parked in the same spot for more than 48 hours.
Tufts University Parking: Tufts offers free, covered, off-street parking for Somerville residents who live in Wards 6 and 7. During declared snow emergencies, Somerville residents who live in Wards 6 and 7 can park in the Dowling Garage at 419 College Avenue in Medford. Important: Vehicles must be registered with the Tufts Transportation Office using the Snow Emergency Parking Form.
- Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is not guaranteed.
- Vehicles must exit the garage within two hours after the snow emergency concludes.
- Staying beyond the two-hour limit will result in parking charges.
- For more information, contact Tufts Community Relations at 617-627-3780 or communityrelations@tufts.edu.
After a Snow Emergency:
- You must move your car from City parking lots within two hours after the snow emergency ends! Do not park in a City lot during a snow emergency if you will not be able to dig out and move your car on short notice.
- Enforcement of permit parking rules will resume within 24 hours after a snow emergency ends.
- Enforcement of the rule prohibiting cars from remaining in the same spot for more than 48 hours will resume within 48 hours after a snow emergency ends.
- You must shovel your car out within 48 hours after a snow emergency ends. Visit the Snow Shoveling Assistance Program page if you need help shoveling. If you are able, consider helping neighbors who struggle to shovel.
Don't Get a Ticket! Or Be Towed!
The City really doesn't want to ticket or tow your car. It costs us more than we charge, takes lots of valuable staff time, creates challenges for you, and you get mad at us. But we have to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and plowing. So, to avoid your vehicle being ticketed and towed, please, please learn and follow all of the above Snow Emergency parking rules for both during and after a snow emergency. Fines include:
- Failure to Move Car to Proper Side of Street: $100
- Tow Zone / Obstructing Plow: $100
- Parked within 10 feet of Fire Hydrant/Designated Fire Lane: $100
- Parked within 20 feet of an Intersection (state law): $100
How to Retrieve Your Car If Towed
- The towing charge is $132 (subject to change), along with a $35 per day storage fee.
- Call the tow company at 781-395-0808 if your car gets towed. Cars are towed to the Dilboy Stadium parking lot in Somerville on Route 16 (110 Alewife Brook Parkway).
Keep That Chair in Your Dining Room, Parking Space Savers Are Not Allowed!
- The City prohibits the use of “space savers,” or objects put on the street to reserve parking spaces, per Section 12-18 of City Code of Ordinances.
- Objects used to save parking spaces may be collected and disposed of.
- People who claim spaces may face the glares of frustrated neighbors.
- People who don't shovel their space, but then park in a nice clean space cleared by a neighbor, may also not be super appreciated.
- Please, everyone, shovel your space, so we can all get along – and park – after a storm.