Ah, its that time of year again. Alternate side parking! Even when you think you got it right, it sometimes fails! Here’s the scoop!
Snow Emergency Declared (City Notice)
The City of Madison Streets Division will be plowing all residential streets beginning at 11pm tonight. A snow emergency been declared.
All residents who park on the street, including the snow emergency zone, must follow alternate side parking rules. All are encouraged to choose off-street parking options, or follow alternate side parking regulations, to assist with snow plowing.
Residents that have a Wednesday trash & recycling container must not place their collection carts in the street gutter for pickup. Carts in the roadway are an obstruction just like a parked vehicle. Please use your driveway apron or a cleared section of your terrace to place your carts.
When plowing gets underway tonight, the total plowing force will be approximately 150 pieces of equipment. This includes vehicles from the Streets Division fleet along with help from heavy equipment contractors, and assistance from the Engineering and Parks Divisions.
This particular snow event produced a wet, heavy snow. As streets are plowed, it will inevitably cause snow to fall into and block driveway aprons and crosswalk ramps. Take precaution when clearing these areas. As the evening wears on, the temperatures will dip further below freezing. This could make the wet snow we received harden and make it harder to shovel, too.
As you are planning your Wednesday morning commute, give yourself ample time to clear the driveway aprons, and also allow for extra travel time because residents are likely to encounter slippery, snow-covered streets during the morning commute, especially in residential areas.
Streets Division crews have been circling the salt routes throughout the day on December 28 and will stay on these routes until the storm ends. Through the night and by morning, the salted main thoroughfares may still have some slippery patches. Remember to make good choices and be alert, be slow, and be patient.
Citywide plowing takes several hours to complete and plowing may not be complete by morning. If you encounter plow trucks while on the roads, please be sure to give them space to do their work so they can operate safely. During active plowing operations, sometimes streets can be temporarily blocked at intersections by windrows of snow as the trucks circle through the neighborhoods.
Once plowing is complete, Streets crews will transition to further snow clean-up operations during the day on December 29, such as plowing areas with daytime parking restrictions and plowing areas that were blocked by parked cars.
Streets staff will continue monitoring the roads and the weather and future updates will be provided as conditions require.
Website has slightly better instructions
The City of Madison has declared a snow emergency on December 28, 2021.
This means overnight alternate side parking restrictions will be in effect for the next two nights for the Snow Emergency Zone as well as the rest of the City of Madison.
During the overnight hours for the next two nights, the Streets Division will be working to push back snow to the curb in an effort to keep streets wide and safe for all roadway users.
Violators of overnight alternate side parking rules can be ticketed and may be towed.
You must also follow all posted daytime parking restrictions. These parking restrictions help plowing operations by creating an open lane of travel for plow trucks. Failure to follow posted daytime parking restrictions can result in your vehicle being ticketed and towed.
All Madison residents are encouraged to choose off-street parking options for their vehicles and trailers for the next two days. Fewer obstacles in the road means plowing operations will be safer, faster, and more complete.
Parking on the Street Tonight (Tuesday, 12/28/21 into early morning of Wednesday, 12/29/21)
All residents who must park on the street tonight need to have their vehicles on the ODD house numbered side of the street between the hours of 1am and 7am.
Violations of the alternate side parking rules are punishable by a fine of $60 throughout the entire City of Madison. Violators could also be towed.
Parking on the Street Tomorrow Night (Wednesday, 12/29/21 into the early morning of Thursday, 12/30/21)
Vehicles parked on the tomorrow night (the evening of December 29 into early morning of December 30) should be on the EVEN house-numbered side of the street between the hours of 1am and 7am.
Violations of the alternate side parking rules are punishable by a fine of $60 throughout the entire City of Madison. Violators could also be towed.
Other Parking Information
Parking will be available in the cashiered sections of city-owned ramps in the downtown area. During a declared snow emergency you can park for no charge at the City ramps from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. If you enter before 9 p.m. or leave after 7 a.m. you are liable for any parking charges before 9 p.m. and from 7 a.m. until the time you leave.
When parking in the ramps overnight, do not park on the top level so this area can be plowed. Be aware that vehicles stored in city ramps longer than 48 hours are subject to being ticketed and towed. Meters in lots and ramps are enforced 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Parking is also available at the Brittingham Park Shelter parking lot off of W. Washington Ave.
Why You Should Follow Alternate Side Parking
Following alternate side parking keeps the roads open, wide, and safe for all roadway users – cars, bicycles, emergency vehicles, refuse/recycling collection, and so on.
Additional Information
For additional plowing operations information and road condition expectations, check the Plowing Update on the winter website, www.cityofmadison.com/winter.
The winter website is also the source for more information about all things winter, including parking, salt usage, sidewalk shoveling, and winter recreation opportunities.
An additional source of winter parking information can be heard by calling the winter parking hotline at 608-261-9111.
Declared Snow Emergency
The City of Madison declares a Snow Emergency when we need to plow all residential streets. This most often happens when there are three or more inches of snow on the roads.
During a Snow Emergency, people who park in the Snow Emergency Zone must follow alternate side parking rules for the next two nights. A Snow Emergency may be extended past the 48 hours if needed.
We will always declare a Snow Emergency before 9:00 pm on the night it will take effect.
Please note: During a Snow Emergency, Alternate Side Parking fines are $60, plus a $65 towing fee.
How do you know when its alternate side parking?
Sign up for Notifications
- Sign up to get notified via Text Messaging
- Sign up to get notified via email lists
- Call the Winter Parking Hotline at (608) 261-9111
- Find us on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter
And, shovel by noon!
posted December 28, 2021 1:39 PM
There is currently snowing. Any snow and ice accumulation from this event must be cleared from public sidewalks by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. Prompt removal is always in your own best interest. If after removing all the snow and ice accumulated there is any ice on the sidewalk that cannot be removed, keep the sidewalk effectively sprinkled with sand or another suitable substance to prevent the ice from being dangerous.
Free sand is available at several locations around Madison. Learn more about snow rules and regulations. Visit the snow removal frequently asked questions.
Snow Removal Regulations
Public Sidewalks
To make public sidewalks safe for pedestrians, the owner or occupant of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk is responsible for the removal of any snow or ice that accumulates on the sidewalk. Residents are required to clear snow from their sidewalk by noon of the day after the snow stopped. And remember, snow plows might create a blockage even after your drive has been cleaned.
In the event that removal of ice is impossible, the property owner or occupant is required to use sand, salt or other suitable substance to prevent the ice from being dangerous. This should be done by noon of the day after the snow/ice stopped.
How much of my sidewalk do I have to clear?
The Ordinance requires the property owner to clear the entire width of the sidewalk, from edge to edge.
You are as responsible for clearing ice on your sidewalk as clearing snow.
Ice can be more dangerous and intimidating than snow.
- The sooner and more completely you shovel, the less likely ice will form.
- Make arrangements for someone to take over while you are on vacation.
- If the sidewalk has not been cleared by the required time, the property owner will be issued a citation with a fine.
- Crews will remove the snow and ice from the sidewalk. Property owners will be billed for this service, and unpaid bills will be added to the owner’s property tax.
Related Resources
- Register to get notified of when sidewalks need to be cleared
- Report an un-shoveled sidewalk
- Free sand available for City residents
- Getting a Citation: Door Card Information, Building Inspection
- Paying MGO 10.28(1), Ordinance Citation, Building Inspection
