Parking is Banned Anytime, Day OR Night, when Snowfall Reaches 3 Inches!
Don't wait for a "snow emergency" to move your car. On-street parking is automatically banned - whether it's 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. - as soon as snow accumulation reaches three inches. Vehicles parked on unplowed streets can be ticketed and towed.
When On-Street Parking Is Allowed
On-street parking is allowed as soon as streets have been plowed to the curb.
When snow accumulation is less than three inches, plows will be dispatched but parking is not banned. However, snow plow drivers can do a better job of clearing streets if you park off the street even during minor snowfalls. If you aren't sure if parking is banned, call the Winter Parking Hotline at (952) 924-2180.
Vehicles Can Be Ticketed And Towed
Vehicles parked on unplowed streets will be ticketed. If they're not moved within 12 hours of being ticketed, they can be towed. Ticket and towing charges can include any of the following and can be higher:
- $30 minimum parking ticket (fee can be higher)
- $115.00 minimum towing charge plus administrative fees (additional charges if the vehicle must be shoveled out or weighs more than one ton)
- $30 storage fee per day
If your vehicle is ticketed or plowed-in, dig it out immediately and move it to a driveway, garage or plowed street. City ordinance prohibits vehicles from parking within 50 feet (about two car lengths) of any snow left behind when plows went around parked cars. You can be ticketed and towed if you park too close to an unplowed area of the street.
If your vehicle is towed, call Bobby & Steve’s at (952) 944-1690 to find out where to pick up your vehicle.
Avoid Ticketing And Towing
To avoid the risk of ticketing and towing, please pay attention to the weather forecast. If snowfall is predicted - regardless of depth - don't take a chance: park on the driveway or in your garage. If you're going to be away from home, don't leave your car on the street.
If you aren't sure if parking is banned, call the Winter Parking Hotline at (952) 924-2180. Parking bans are not listed on this web site due to the risk of untimely server or related problems. When you look out your window, if it looks like snowfall has or will accumulate, please move your car.
Another way to avoid a ticket and towing is simply to make it your winter habit to park off the street, especially at night.
City ordinance prohibits vehicles from being parked within 50 feet (about two car lengths) of any snow left behind when plows went around parked cars. You can be ticketed and towed if you park too close to an unplowed area of the street.
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Parking: Winter Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the winter parking ordinance - but only in a few neighborhoods where parking is limited because of apartment buildings or commercial businesses. In these areas, parking within the first 24 hours of the ban going into effect is allowed. After the first 24 hours, however, vehicles must be moved to a plowed street. Vehicles that aren't moved are subject to ticketing and towing.
To find out if a portion of a street is exempt, call (952) 924-2563.
Parking Permits During Snow Plowing
Households that do not have enough space to park at least two vehicles off the street, may apply for a parking permit if they meet one of these criteria:
- The household has no garage or driveway (no permit fee, limit two permits per household)
- The household has off-street parking for only one vehicle but owns two vehicles (no permit fee, limit one permit per household)
- The household has off-street parking for only one vehicle but owns three or more vehicles (one free permit and $125 for one additional permit, limit two permits per household)
- The household has off-street parking for two vehicles but owns three or more vehicles ($125 per permit, limit two permits per household)
- The household requires the aid of a licensed caregiver and does not have off-street parking for the caregiver's vehicle ($25 for caregiver's permit; limit of one caregiver permit per household).
Even if you have a parking permit, you must move your car to a plowed street on the second day of plowing. If you don’t dig out your car and move it to a plowed street, you can be ticketed and towed. When you move your car, don’t park too close to snow left behind by plows when they went around parked cars.
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Sidewalk Snow Removal
Clear sidewalks after a snowfall
After a snowfall, snow on residential sidewalks must be removed by the same day if there are 6 or more hours of daylight following the snowfall or by noon the following day. Sidewalks in front of apartments or commercial buildings must be cleared within 4 hours once the snow has stopped falling or by the beginning of business hours the next day.
Need to report a sidewalk that is not shoveled?
To report a sidewalk that has not been shoveled, call (952) 924-2563.
Need help shoveling your sidewalk?
H.O.M.E., a program of Senior Community Services, a non-profit agency, provides homemaking and home maintenance services for residents age 60 or older in many suburban communities of Hennepin County, including St. Louis Park. Their services include snow shoveling, raking and mowing, interior and exterior painting, minor repairs, installation of safety bars, house cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping. To request services, please call (952) 888-5530.