Minneapolis officials have decided to implement Winter Parking Restrictions beginning 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 to ensure city streets are passable for emergency vehicles, buses and other travelers in the face of heavy snow accumulation this winter.
When Winter Parking Restrictions begin tomorrow, parking will be banned on the EVEN numbered side of non-Snow-Emergency routes until April 1, unless conditions allow the City to lift the ban earlier. Parking is allowed on Snow Emergency routes, parkways, and the ODD numbered side of non-Snow Emergency routes, unless otherwise posted. Drivers parking in Minneapolis must follow these Winter Parking Restrictions, or they could be ticketed and towed. Winter parking restrictions include critical permit parking areas as well.
Minneapolis has had over 52 inches of snow this winter season. The heavy accumulation has narrowed streets, which pose a safety hazard when emergency vehicles cannot navigate these streets to reach people who need assistance.
It is possible that Snow Emergencies can be declared while Winter Parking Restrictions are in place. When it snows, people should take advantage of the many tools the City offers to stay informed of parking rules.
Stay informed about Winter Parking Restrictions and Snow Emergencies
- Hotline: By calling the automated 612-348-SNOW hotline, you can find out if a Snow Emergency has been declared and how that affects the Winter Parking Restrictions. If a Snow Emergency is in effect, the hotline will have information on that day’s parking restrictions that drivers need to follow to avoid tickets and tows. The hotline includes information in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
- The City’s website: Go to minneapolismn.gov/snow to find out whether a Snow Emergency has been declared and for a wealth of information on Snow Emergencies and Winter Parking Restrictions in many languages. Also, check out the street lookup, which lets you put in an address or a neighborhood to see where you can park during a Snow Emergency.
- Phone calls to residents: Minneapolis uses automated phone calls to notify residents when Snow Emergencies are declared and Winter Parking Restrictions implemented. The system can place thousands of calls per hour. You can add your cellphone or unlisted landline number to the alert system by signing up at minneapolismn.gov/snow.
- Email alerts: You can sign up to get Snow Emergency alerts automatically emailed or text messaged to you. Go to minneapolismn.gov/snow/snow_esubscribe for more details.
- App for Android devices and iPhones: Drivers who have Android devices or iPhones can download the Snow Emergency app. During a Snow Emergency, the app will tell them the parking rules for that day. It will also have Winter Parking Restrictions information. It also has a street lookup, which allows users to see the parking rules in detail by entering an address or using the device’s location services features.
- The news media: News releases are sent to the media so TV, radio stations and other news outlets can inform their viewers and listeners that a Snow Emergency is in effect or Winter Parking Restrictions have been implemented.
- Cable TV: Tune in to Minneapolis City TV (Comcast SD channel 14, HD channels 859 and 799.) These channels will have information in several languages when a Snow Emergency is declared or Winter Parking Restrictions have been instituted.
- Facebook: Like Minneapolis Snow Emergency on Facebook. Go to facebook.com/MinneapolisSnowEmergency.
- Twitter: twitter.com/minneapolissnow. If you have a Twitter account, just follow us. Both the Twitter and Facebook pages will tell fans and followers when a Snow Emergency is declared.
- Videos: Informative videos are available online in multiple languages to help explain Winter Parking Restrictions: