Dear Neighbors,
Minneapolis officials have declared a one-day Snow Emergency beginning today, Feb. 24. City crews have been plowing and treating streets to keep them drivable. Now that a Snow Emergency has been declared, these parking rules will take effect beginning at 9 p.m. tonight so crews can plow more than 1,000 miles of streets as wide as possible. That’s the equivalent of 3,200 “lane miles” of streets that need to be plowed—enough to plow a lane from Minneapolis to Anchorage, Alaska.
When a Snow Emergency is declared, parking rules take effect so plows can clear the streets and emergency vehicles and other cars can then get around and park. Plowing the streets completely requires vehicles parked on streets to move. It’s in everyone’s best interest to do their part and follow the parking rules so plows can do the best job possible, and people can avoid a ticket and tow.
Note: Winter Parking Restrictions resume once the one-day Snow Emergency ends 8 a.m. tomorrow. Parking will then 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.
One-day Snow Emergency parking rules
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9 p.m. today, Feb. 24 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 (Day 1) Do not park on either side of a Snow Emergency route until 8 a.m., or the street is fully plowed.
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8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 Winter Parking Restrictions resume. Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of non-Snow Emergency routes.
For more information on Snow Emergencies in Minneapolis, visit minneapolismn.gov/snow.
Free off-street parking available
The following off-street parking is available for the dates specified. Lots listed as full were full as of this morning.
- Off-street parking is available for free now through Feb. 28:
- Farmers Market Lot: 309 spaces, 225 East Lyndale Ave.
- Salvation Army Lot (4th St. N. Lot): 332 spaces, 601 North 4th St.
- Basilica Lot: 183 spaces, 13 North 17th St.
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FULL: Vineland Ramp: 671 spaces, 727 Vineland Place
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FULL: Lyn-Lake Lot (Garfield Lot): 118 spaces, 2940 Garfield Ave S
- Off-street parking is available for free now through 7 p.m. on Feb. 26
- Seven Points Parking Ramp: 1375 W 31st St.
- MoZaic Art Parking Ramp: 1340 Lagoon Ave.
Sign up now, stay informed throughout the season
Residents, workers and visitors have several ways to learn when Snow Emergencies are declared and what to do when they are. The City advises drivers to put many of these tools to use, not just one or two. The more ways people use to learn about a Snow Emergency, the more prepared they will be to do their part, and the less likely they will be towed.
- Hotline: Call the automated 612-348-SNOW hotline. 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 the City’s website to find out whether a Snow Emergency has been declared and for a wealth of information on Snow Emergencies in many languages. Also, check out the Snow Emergency parking map, 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. 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.
- Social media: Like Minneapolis Snow Emergency on Facebook and Twitter.
- Email and text alerts: You can sign up to get Snow Emergency alerts automatically emailed or texted to you.
- Smartphone app: 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 also has the Snow Emergency parking map, which allows users to see the parking rules in detail by entering an address. The latest version of the app will now send push notification alerts for Snow Emergencies.
- 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.
- 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.
- Videos: Informative videos in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong are available online to help explain where you can park when a Snow Emergency is declared:
Remember to shovel sidewalks and shovel around your garbage carts
Sidewalks are a critical part of our city’s transportation system, and they should be open for everyone. That’s why Minneapolis ordinance requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall for houses and duplexes, and four daytime hours for all other properties. Failure to shovel your walk could lead to a bill to pay for the cost of crews shoveling it. Learn more on the City’s website.
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns about snow plowing or other snow related issues, please contact 311 so they can get your concern in the queue right away. You’re always welcome to contact or follow up with us. We can assist you with making a 311 request or get you updates about your request to the best of our ability.
