Can You Park on Unplowed Streets? A Practical Guide to Winter Parking Rules

Introduction: Why this question matters in winter

You wake up to a layer of fresh snow, check outside, and find the street still white, cars packed tight, and a snowplow nowhere in sight. At that moment a simple question comes up, can you park on unplowed streets, or are you risking a ticket, a tow, or being boxed in for days?

The consequences are real. Cities often enforce parking bans during declared snow emergencies, and blocked plows can delay clearing for your whole block. Tickets, towing fees, and getting stuck without a safe exit are common outcomes. Emergency vehicles may also be unable to reach your home if streets are clogged.

This guide shows exactly how to check local rules, sign up for alerts, choose safe parking alternatives, and move or clear your car to avoid fines and towings.

Quick Answer: Can you park on unplowed streets?

Short answer: sometimes, but often not. Whether you can park on unplowed streets depends entirely on local rules and the situation. In many cities, parking is legal until a snow emergency or temporary restriction is declared, at which point vehicles must move or face tickets and towing. In others, designated snow routes and posted signs ban parking whenever plows are active.

Main factors that determine whether parking is allowed:
Local ordinances and snow emergency rules, check your city or town website for specifics.
Posted signage and temporary orders, these override general practice.
Public versus private streets, private roads often forbid parking during storms.
Whether your car blocks plow access or fire and emergency routes.
Risk of being plowed in, towed, or ticketed.

Practical tip: before a storm, scan street signs, sign up for municipal alerts, and if in doubt, move the car to a cleared lot or driveway to avoid fines and getting stuck.

Check local rules and municipal codes

Start at the source, your city website and municipal code. Search for phrases like "snow emergency," "parking prohibited," or "snow route" plus your city name, or use site:yourcity.gov "snow emergency" to pull official pages fast. Many towns host ordinances on Municode or AmericanLegalPublishing; those pages show exact language and penalties.

Look for common ordinance wording, for example, "No person shall park any vehicle upon a street designated as a snow emergency route during a declared snow emergency," or "Parking prohibited when snowfall exceeds two inches; vehicles subject to towing." Those lines tell you whether unplowed streets are allowed, temporarily banned, or tow zones.

To confirm temporary restrictions during storms, call your non emergency police line or the municipal snow hotline, sign up for city SMS alerts, and follow the public works or police Twitter or Facebook feed. Walk the block and photograph posted signs, then compare them to the ordinance online before you park on unplowed streets.

Understanding winter parking bans and snow emergencies

When a city issues a snow emergency or a winter parking ban, it legally restricts where cars can sit so plows can clear streets. A snow emergency declaration usually targets designated snow routes and often includes overnight parking bans, alternate side rules, or complete no parking orders on specific streets. The short answer to can you park on unplowed streets is usually no once a ban is in effect, parked cars block plows and get ticketed or towed. Enforcement is done by police, parking control officers, and contracted tow companies, often after a set window for compliance. Fines commonly range from modest to several hundred dollars, and repeated violations can lead to impoundment fees. Practical steps, check your city’s snow route map, sign up for alerts, move to a cleared lot before the ban starts, and photograph your car if you cannot relocate it.

Safety first, then parking: How to assess an unplowed street

Before you answer can you park on unplowed streets, run a quick safety checklist. First, eyeball road width. If the street looks narrower than one and a half cars across, do not park on both sides; most plows and emergency vehicles need at least 20 to 22 feet to pass. Second, check snowbanks. If high banks will be pushed against your vehicle, leave extra room in front and behind so windrows do not trap you overnight.

Third, test visibility. Avoid parking near corners, on hills, or where headlights would be blocked; if drivers cannot see your car, accidents happen. Fourth, consider emergency access. Keep fire hydrants and driveways clear, and aim for at least 15 feet of clearance around hydrants when possible. Finally, assess vehicle clearance. If your doors cannot open without hitting packed snow, move. When in doubt, choose a cleared lot or a plow free street until crews finish.

Step by step, how to park safely on an unplowed street

Start by asking the core question out loud, can you park on unplowed streets here, then check local rules and snow emergency signs. Pick a spot on slightly higher ground, away from low spots where drifting and ice build up, and avoid corners, bus stops, and driveways.

Angle and position matter. Park parallel and as close to the curb as traffic safely allows, but not so close that your car will be buried against a curb. Turn your wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade, and set the transmission to park or first gear on a flat surface, this prevents rolling if the parking brake freezes.

Leave room for the plow. Aim to give plow operators at least 6 to 10 feet of clearance, more if your street is narrow. If in doubt, add extra space and move to a wider block.

Use hazard markers. Stick a bright flag or cone behind the vehicle, attach a reflective cloth to the antenna, and place a small reflector in the snow to help operators see you.

Secure against freezing. Fill the gas tank, lift windshield wipers off the glass, use a windshield cover, and avoid using the parking brake if freezing is expected, instead use wheel chocks or leave the car in gear.

Alternatives to parking on unplowed streets

If you’re asking can you park on unplowed streets, pick safer options that reduce fines, towing risk, and being snowbound. Use your driveway whenever possible, even if you need to shovel a narrow strip for clearance. Rent a spot in a municipal lot, many cities offer affordable overnight winter permits that keep your car off plow routes. Try private garages or church lots, and check apps like ParkMobile or SpotAngels to find and pay for spaces quickly. For short trips, take a rideshare so your car stays put in a cleared location. Finally, negotiate temporary arrangements, for example swap driveway access with a neighbor, or ask your employer for a designated lot spot during snow events. Always confirm local winter parking rules first.

How to avoid fines, tickets, and towing

Cities ticket and tow for a few common reasons, including blocking plow routes, ignoring declared snow emergencies, parking on alternate side streets during cleanups, and leaving vehicles that obstruct traffic or sidewalks. To reduce risk, learn your city rules, note which streets are designated plow routes, and avoid parking within the required clearance zone, often 8 to 12 feet from the curb.

Track storm alerts with the National Weather Service, your city DOT website, local radio, and apps like Nixle or FEMA; sign up for text alerts from your municipality. Move your car when a snow emergency is declared, when forecasted accumulation exceeds 2 inches, or at least 6 to 12 hours before a predicted storm start. If unsure, relocate to a municipal lot or driveway to be safe.

If your car is stuck or ticketed, what to do next

1. Try to get unstuck fast, clear snow from around tires, use traction mats, kitty litter or sand, and gently rock the car in low gear.
2. If that fails, call roadside assistance, a local tow company, or your municipality public works for plow assistance. Use 311 or non emergency police for blocked streets.
3. Photograph the scene, license plate, nearby signs, and timestamp the images.

If ticketed, save photos and tow receipts, note the officer or company name, and file an appeal before the deadline shown on the ticket. Cite municipal snow regulations and any evidence you have that the street was unplowed.

Conclusion: Practical final insights

Short version: if a parked car blocks plows or violates a posted snow ban, you will get ticketed or towed. Treat unplowed streets as temporary no parking zones until city crews finish main routes. Think safety, not convenience.

Action checklist you can use during the next snow event:
Check city alerts and sign up for text or email notifications.
Move cars off main roads and marked snow routes before forecasts hit.
Use designated overflow lots or driveways when available.
Photograph parked position for proof if enforcement is unclear.
Ask neighbors or property managers about local towing policies.

Always confirm rules with your city or town before you park on unplowed streets.