Amherst, NY Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban season
- November 1 through April 1
- Ban hours
- 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Applies to
- All Town and county roads
- Exempt area
- Village of Williamsville
- Violation type
- Traffic infraction, VTL § 1800
- Storage fee cap
- $25 per day
Summary
Amherst bans overnight street parking every winter: no vehicle may park on any Town or county road between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 through April 1. The rule covers the whole Town outside the Village of Williamsville, which enforces its own separate code.
The parking of vehicles is hereby prohibited on all Town and county roads within the Town of Amherst, exclusive of the Village of Williamsville, November 1 through and including April 1 of each ensuing year, inclusive, between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 186, Vehicles and Traffic, was adopted October 17, 2005, and took effect October 31, 2005. m. The ban is seasonal and time-bound rather than year-round, and it applies regardless of whether a street also carries posted 'No Parking' signage under § 186-4. Section 186-1 exempts vehicles stopped to avoid conflicting with traffic or on the direction of a police officer, peace officer, fire police, Town constable, parking enforcement officer, or an official traffic control device. Section 186-2 defines 'park' and 'parked' as leaving a vehicle unattended longer than needed to load or unload passengers or freight, so a brief stop during the overnight window is not itself a violation.
The seasonal ban exists alongside, and is enforced the same way as, the rest of Chapter 186's parking rules, including the year-round 24-hour limit in § 186-7 and posted restrictions in § 186-9.
Violations & Fines
Under § 186-23, violating the § 186-3 overnight ban is a traffic infraction within the meaning of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1800. Section 186-24 lets any police officer, peace officer, Town constable, or Town-appointed parking enforcement officer enforce it. A vehicle left overnight can also be towed and stored under § 189-2, with redemption charges capped at $25 per day or fraction of a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What months does Amherst's overnight parking ban run?
Does the winter ban apply inside the Village of Williamsville?
What happens if my car gets towed during the overnight ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Amherst
How Amherst compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·New York rules heatmap·Compare Amherst to another location·View the New York parking rules overview
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