Politics & Government

What Are the Winter Parking Ban Rules?

Towns all across the MetroWest region have begun enforcing winter parking bans, here is a quick rundown of where you can and cannot park.

Winter is here and that means snow plows need to get around town to clear the roads. 

Towns across the MetroWest region have all come up with their own ways to keep cars off the road for plowing you can find the information for your town below along with several nearby towns.

Marlborough: The city's overnight parking ban goes into effect on Dec. 1 and will continue through March 15, 2013. On-street parking is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Vehicles violating the ban are subject to a $10 penalty. Vehicles that interfere with snow or ice removal operations are subject to towing and storage at the owner's expense.

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The following streets are exempt from the winter parking ban:

  • High Street
  • Brown Street
  • Brook Street
  • Emmett Street (from South Street westerly to dead end)
  • Ringold Street

The granted exceptions shall not apply:

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1. When a snow or ice storm has been predicted.
2. When a snow or ice storm is actually occurring.
3. During post-storm plowing or clearing operations by the DPW.

Framingham: Residents are invited to park on one side of the road throughout the year; in 2012 it's the even numbered side, in 2013 you'll have to switch to the odd side. When a snow emergency is declared by the Town Manager parking is prohibited on all arterial roads in town. These roads are posted with red and white signs. For a list of arterial roads, visit the town website. While plowing is underway all vehicles are subject to ticketing and towing if they are parked on the street.

Hopkinton: Vehicles are not permitted to park on any public roads between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. from Nov. 15 to April 1. Police have the authority to ticket any vehicles in violation of this and in the event of snow plowing the Highway Department has the authority to tow vehicles that are parked on the street.

Natick: Overnight parking is not permitted on any town roads between Nov. 15 and April 1. Any vehicles in violation are this are subject to ticketing and towing. During snowstorms of more than 2 inches parking enforcement is stepped up to allow snow plowing.

Holliston: No on-street parking is permitted between Nov. 15 and April 1. Ticketing has begun and residents are advised that vehicles parked on the street during snow storms are subject to towing.

Shrewsbury: The town's overnight parking bylaws prohibit parking on any public way for more than one hour between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. During snow events when the Town starts snow removal operations, vehicles parked in the street whether it's day or night may be tagged and towed if there impeding snow operations.

Westborough: Parking on streets is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Nov. 1 to April 1. "Vehicles are subject to citation or in some cases towing at their owner's expense," according to the Westborough Police Department website.


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