Somerville's Winter Parking Rules Announced

SOMERVILLE, MA – With snow season on the horizon, the city of Somerville is reminding residents that snow emergency parking will be allowed on the odd side of the street this year. The city in 2015 instituted an annually alternating policy for snow emergencies, using odd-side-only parking for winters that begin in an odd year and even-side-only for seasons beginning in an even year. The season runs from November to May.

City policy dictates that residents may only park on one designated side of the street during snow emergencies, unless otherwise noted. For example, roads that have parking only on the even-numbered side of the street year-round will remain even-side-only during snow emergencies.

Snow Emergency Parking Information:

• Once a snow emergency has been declared, residents have four hours to move vehicles to the correct side of the street, or into a designated City parking lot.
• Vehicles not moved during this window of time will be ticketed ($100 fine) and towed ($100 fine assessed by the tow company).
• Vehicles parked within 20 feet of any intersection will be ticketed and towed.
• For a list of designated City and School parking lots available for snow emergency parking, visit www.somervillema.gov/snow.
• Residents are encouraged to sign up for phone, email, and text alerts by visiting www.somervillema.gov/alerts.
• For more information on the City’s snow removal and snow emergency policies, visit www.somervillema.gov/snow, or download the City’s 311 app in iTunes or Google Play, by searching “311Somerville.”

The city offers a free alert system to keep residents in the loop ahead of snow emergencies. If you are not already registered, you can sign up by visiting www.somervillema.gov/alerts, or by calling 311 (617-666-3311 from outside the City).

Note: Per a city announcement, database glitches resulting in your not receiving messages pertaining to parking restrictions, including snow emergencies, do not automatically qualify you for dismissal or reimbursement of tickets and/or tow fees. Please review signage on your street, pay close attention to temporary signage, and review the parking policies and snow emergency policies.

In addition, the City’s outreach campaign includes but is not limited to:

• Placing informational flyers on vehicles during regular routes traveled by Parking Control Officers
• Sending information to media for inclusion in multimedia postings and print materials
• Sending information to residents and businesses via the Community Alert phone, email, and text system
• Posting information to the City’s website, cable bulletin boards, and social media feeds
• Including information in all City newsletters and brochures
• Public awareness banners, electronic message boards, and posters in key business districts

Patch File Photo