Allegany County, MD Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Restricted zone
- within 15 feet of road center line
- Season
- November 1 to April 15
- Trigger
- 1+ inch of snow in 24 hours
- Towing cost cap
- up to $500
- Misdemeanor fine
- $100 to $1,000
- Jail in default
- up to 30 days
Summary
In unincorporated Allegany County, parking within 15 feet of the center line of a posted snow emergency route is unlawful from November 1 to April 15 whenever an inch or more of snow falls in 24 hours. The Roads Division can tow violators and bill actual towing costs.
§ 520-1. Routes designated; parking restricted; posting of signs. A. From November 1 to April 15 in each year, whenever snow falls during any 24 hours or less to a depth of one inch or more, it shall be unlawful for any person to suffer to be parked, except for loading and unloading, any vehicle of any kind or description within 15 feet of the center line of the County roads or portions thereof hereinafter designated, all of which are located within the limits of Allegany County, Maryland. ... ... § 520-3. Removal of vehicles in violation; payment of towing costs. ... Any vehicles parked in violation of § 520-1 may be removed on order of the Roads Division Chief, Roads Superintendent or Roads District Supervisors, and said Roads Division Chief, Roads Superintendent and Roads District Supervisors are authorized to have said vehicle so parked towed from said highway, and the owner of same shall be required to pay the actual towing costs, not to exceed $500. § 520- ... ... 5. Violations and penalties. ... Any person violating the provisions of this article shall, upon arrest and conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for any such violation and, in default thereof, shall be committed to the County jail for a term not to exceed 30 days.
Full Breakdown
Allegany County Code Chapter 520, Article I, adopted in 1961 and still in force, sets the snow emergency parking rule for County roads outside the incorporated towns. Under § 520-1, from November 1 to April 15 each year, once snow falls in any 24-hour period to a depth of one inch or more, no one may leave a vehicle parked (except briefly for loading and unloading) within 15 feet of the center line of any County road that has been designated a snow emergency route.
The designation only takes effect once the Allegany County Roads Department posts the road with signs; a complete list of designated roads is on file for public inspection in the office of the County Clerk. Article I also regulates driving on posted routes: § 520-2 makes it unlawful to travel a posted snow emergency route unless the vehicle carries chains or has snow tires on both rear wheels. Enforcement runs through the Roads Division: § 520-3, as amended by Bill No. 3-11 effective September 1, 2011, lets the Roads Division Chief, Roads Superintendent or a Roads District Supervisor order a vehicle parked in violation of § 520-1 towed, with the owner responsible for the actual towing cost, capped at $500.
Penalties are set out in § 520-5, also amended by Bill No. 3-11: a person convicted of violating the article is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, and in default of payment may be committed to the County jail for up to 30 days. § 520-4 defines a County road to include streets, roads and alleys that are part of the Allegany County road system.
Violations & Fines
Parking within 15 feet of the center line of a posted snow emergency route during the November 1 to April 15 season, when an inch or more of snow has fallen in 24 hours, is a misdemeanor under § 520-5 carrying a fine of $100 to $1,000, with up to 30 days in the County jail in default of payment. The Roads Division may also have the vehicle towed under § 520-3, with the owner billed for the actual towing cost up to $500. Driving a posted route without chains or rear snow tires violates § 520-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Allegany County's snow parking ban apply?
Can my car be towed for parking on a snow emergency route?
What is the fine for violating the snow emergency route rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allegany County
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