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.
A Week-by-Week October Plan
A checklist is easier to finish when it is spread across the month. Here is one way to break the work into small pieces.
Week one: learn the rules
- Read your city’s winter parking page from start to finish.
- Walk your block and nearby streets and note any snow emergency route signs.
- Write down how bans are announced and how long you have to move your car once one is declared.
Week two: set up alerts and contacts
- Sign up for every official alert channel your city offers.
- Add the city’s tow information line or web page to your phone.
- Share the alerts with everyone in the household who drives.
Week three: line up your storm parking
- Confirm your off-street option, whether it is a driveway, a friend’s space, a lot or a garage.
- If your city offers storm parking programs at garages, learn how to use them and when they begin and end.
- Pick a backup in case your first choice is full.
Week four: prepare the car
- Check tires, battery, wipers and fluids, or book a pre-winter service.
- Pack your winter kit and keep it in the trunk all season.
- Practice clearing the car fully, including the roof, so it becomes a habit.
The Night a Storm Arrives
Even with a plan, storm nights can be hectic. A clear routine helps.
- Watch for the announcement. When a snow emergency or ban is declared, note the start time.
- Move early. Do not wait until the last minute, when other drivers are searching for the same off-street spaces.
- Clear your car before you go. Brush off the windows, lights and roof, and drive slowly on fresh snow.
- Park legally at your storm spot. Follow any rules for the garage or lot, including when you must move your car out again.
- Check when the ban ends. Return the car to the street only after the city lifts the restriction.
Common Winter Parking Mistakes
- Relying on neighbors to tell you about a ban. Official alerts are faster and more reliable.
- Assuming a ban only applies to main roads. Some cities restrict parking on residential streets too, depending on the stage of the storm.
- Leaving the car buried. A car left under snow can block plows and make digging out much harder later.
- Parking too close to a hydrant or corner. Snowbanks can hide hydrants and narrow intersections. Leave extra space.
- Running the engine with the tailpipe blocked. If your car is surrounded by snow, clear the exhaust pipe before starting it to keep fumes from building up inside.
Questions Drivers Ask
What if I am out of town during a storm?
Ask a trusted neighbor or friend to move your car if needed, or park it off-street before you leave. Leave a spare key with someone you trust.
How do I find my car if it was towed?
Check the city’s official tow information. Many cities have an online lookup or a phone line for towed vehicles.
Are winter tires worth it?
In places with frequent snow and ice, many drivers find they improve traction and braking. A trusted mechanic or tire shop can help you decide.
Should I keep my car somewhere else all winter?
Some street parkers rent a monthly garage or driveway space for the snowiest months. If you move your car often for bans, compare the cost and convenience of a seasonal space with the time, tickets and stress of moving it storm after storm.
