Note about "space savers": Somerville has a zero-tolerance policy toward claiming spots by placing signs or objects in them. After snowstorms, you may see City crews driving around in trucks confiscating such objects. If you see a parking spot that someone has tried to “claim,” call 311 to report it.

DURING a Snow Emergency

Because winter starts in an odd year this year (2019), when a snow emergency is in effect, parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street ONLY, unless the street has posted signage that states otherwise. Vehicles parked on the even-numbered side of the street must either be moved to the odd side or to another location. Due to parking limitations in the city, municipal lots will be made available to residents during snow emergencies. The City maintains a list and map of available lots. Vehicles MUST be moved from the even side within four hours after the snow emergency has been declared, or they will be ticketed and towed in accordance with the City Code of Ordinances.

Parking meters and timed parking limits are not enforced during snow emergencies. As long as there is no posted sign stating otherwise, and as long as the spot is on the odd-numbered side of the road, you may park your vehicle there during the snow emergency.

It is important that vehicles be parked only on one side of the street as noted above to ensure plows can make all roads accessible and safe, particularly for emergency vehicles. Ticketing AND towing of vehicles parked on the even-numbered side of the road (or as otherwise posted) will commence four hours after the snow emergency is declared. Parking-related fines during snow emergencies include:

Failure to Move Car to Proper Side of Street: $100

$100 Tow Zone / Obstructing Plow: $100

$100 Parked within 10 feet of Fire Hydrant/Designated Fire Lane: $100

$100 Parked within 20 feet of an Intersection (state law): $100

Fees imposed by the towing company are:

Towing Charge: $106.00

$106.00 Daily Storage Fee: $35/day

If your vehicle is towed during a snow emergency, you should contact Pat’s Towing at 617-776-5810.

Off-Street Parking: Municipal parking lots are available to residents during snow emergencies.

Parking on a limited number of streets will not alternate during snow emergencies. For an explanation of why some streets have posted exceptions to the general rule, click here.

AFTER a Snow Emergency

Cars parked in municipal lots must be moved within two hours after the end of the emergency. Permit parking enforcement citywide resumes 24 hours after the snow emergency has been lifted. It is the responsibility of residents to ensure the vehicle’s Residential or Visitor parking permit is visible within 24 hours after the end of the emergency. Parking Control Officers are not authorized to remove snow from any vehicle. If the permit is not visible, the vehicle WILL be ticketed for a Permit Parking Violation. Vehicles must be shoveled out within 48 hours of the snow emergency being lifted. Please visit the Snow Shoveling Assistance Program page if you need any help shoveling.

City Ordinance normally restricts any vehicle from remaining in the same space on any street for a period exceeding 48 hours. This rule is not in effect DURING a snow emergency. However, 48 hours after the snow emergency has been lifted, this violation will be strictly enforced on both the odd and even sides of the street. Failure to comply will result in the ticketing and potential towing of the vehicle.

Residents may NOT put objects 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.