It's common practice after a snow storm for residents to use objects to save cleared spots outside their homes. According to the mayor's office, however, such reservations are permitted for only 48 hours after a snow emergency expires.

Boston Public Works Department crews drove around the streets of Boston Tuesday confiscating these items and more, all used by residents as parking spot space savers.

Because Boston got only a few inches of snow last weekend, the city never issued a snow emergency.

"Space savers are meant to be used on a short-term basis during a snow emergency," Mayor Martin J. Walsh said in a statement. "With no snow emergency currently in place in the City of Boston, there should be no space savers on our streets. Our Public Works department is working hard to remove snow from our streets, and we ask that people follow these guidelines to ensure open access on our roadways."


Space savers have been banned in the South End since last winter.

A 34-year-old man was shot in the abdomen in Dorchester on Monday over what police believe was a parking spot dispute on a street where space savers are common. The man is expected to survive.

J.D. Capelouto can be reached at jd.capelouto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jdcapelouto.