Somerville Winter Parking 2021: 'Odd' Snow Season

SOMERVILLE, MA — Parking will only be allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street during snow emergencies this winter. The city alternates between odd and even sides annually, based on the number year that winter starts.

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. Vehicles must be moved to the odd side within four hours after the snow emergency has been declared, or they will be ticketed and towed.

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, residents may park their vehicle there during the snow emergency.

It is important that vehicles be parked only on one side of the street 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 begin 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
• 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

Fees imposed by the towing company are:

• Towing Charge: $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 is not allowed in school lots 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. Visit the Snow Shoveling Assistance Program page if you need help.

City Ordinance normally restricts any vehicle from remaining in the same space for more than 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 enforced on both the odd and even sides of the street.

Residents may not put objects on the street to reserve parking spaces.