Saint Paul Launches Alternate Side Parking Pilot In Two Neighborhoods

ST. PAUL, MN — The city of Saint Paul will begin a second-year pilot of weekly alternate side parking rules in two neighborhoods starting Jan. 4, as officials look for new ways to improve winter snow operations and residential street access.

The pilot areas are located near Snelling Avenue and University Avenue, and near Dale Street and Selby Avenue. The program will run from Jan. 4 through April 11 and requires all vehicles in the designated areas to follow a weekly alternating parking schedule.

Saint Paul Public Works officials say the goal is to keep residential streets safer and more accessible during winter storms by ensuring plows can reach side streets more consistently.

"We’ve already had three Snow Emergencies in just five weeks this season," said Sean Kershaw, director of Saint Paul Public Works. "Our current model was innovative in the mid-1990s when it was developed, but public expectations and winter weather have changed significantly in the past 30 years."

Under the pilot rules, vehicles must park on the side of the street that matches the week’s designation. During even-numbered weeks, parking is allowed on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses, typically the south and east sides. During odd-numbered weeks, parking is allowed on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses, typically the north and west sides.

Sundays are designated changeover days. Between 3 and 9 p.m. each Sunday, vehicles must be moved to the correct side of the street for the upcoming week.

According to the city, an alternate side parking model keeps at least two-thirds of residential streets open at all times, allowing plows and emergency vehicles to access streets earlier and more often than under traditional Snow Emergency rules.

The pilot areas are:

Snelling-University Pilot Area

Bounded by Thomas Avenue to the north, Snelling Avenue to the east, Interstate 94 to the south, and Aldine Street to the west. Snelling Avenue and University Avenue are not included.

Selby-Dale Pilot Area

Bounded by Selby Avenue to the north, Western Avenue to the east, Summit Avenue to the south, and Dale Street to the west. Selby Avenue and Dale Street are not included.

The city said the pilot builds on smaller test areas used last winter and expands into neighborhoods with higher-density housing, residential parking permits, and varied parking restrictions.

Education and enforcement will roll out in phases.

From Jan. 4 through Jan. 16, the city will focus on education, placing informational flyers and maps on vehicles in the pilot areas. Enforcement begins Jan. 17, when vehicles parked incorrectly may be ticketed or towed.

If a Snow Emergency is declared during the pilot period, vehicles inside the pilot areas must follow the alternate side parking rules instead of standard Snow Emergency rules. Snow Emergency rules will still apply in the rest of the city.