Allentown, PA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- City Code §§ 615-33 to 615-39
- Declaration window
- 7 a.m.-11 p.m., any day
- Takes effect
- 4 hours after announcement
- First-tier fine
- $35 within 10 days
- Snow-dumping fine
- $25-$300 plus costs
- Posted-street ban
- 4-6 hrs after posting
Summary
When the Mayor declares a snow emergency, parking is banned citywide on designated snow emergency routes until the streets clear or the Mayor lifts it. Violators are ticketed $35, rising to $50 after 10 days, and cars may be towed at owner expense.
In the event weather conditions make it necessary for motor vehicle traffic to be expedited and parking on City streets be prohibited or restricted for snow plowing and other purposes, the Mayor or the Mayor's designated representative shall declare a snow emergency. The declaration of a snow emergency may be made on any of the seven days of the week at anytime between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Such declaration shall not go into effect until four hours after it has been announced. ... While the prohibition is in effect, no person shall park or allow to remain parked any vehicle on any portion of a snow emergency route.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4995055; v49 updated 2026-06-26; through 06-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
under § 615-34; the declaration takes effect four hours after it's announced and stays in force until the Mayor lifts it, except that any block that's clear of snow and ice curb-to-median for its full length is automatically excluded. While a declaration is active, no one may park or leave a vehicle parked on any portion of a designated snow emergency route, a list that spans dozens of named streets under § 615-35, including 4th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 24th Streets, Hamilton, Chew, Union Boulevard, Tilghman and Lehigh Street.
Separately, § 615-36 bans parking on any street the Mayor schedules for snow removal: four hours after posting in metered or limited-parking zones, six hours after posting on all other streets. Section 615-38 bars shoveling snow from private property into the street right-of-way, and bars pushing sidewalk snow into the roadway used by vehicles, though that ban doesn't apply where curbside parking is already prohibited or there's no private property to pile snow on. Any vehicle left on a posted or declared snow route may be towed by police or a designated Parking Authority worker and impounded until all towing, storage and removal costs are paid.
Violations & Fines
A snow-emergency or posted-removal parking ticket costs $35 if paid within 10 days, $50 if paid between 11 and 20 days, and up to $100 if unpaid after 20 days under § 615-39A. Dumping shoveled snow into the street in violation of § 615-38A carries a separate fine of not less than $25 nor more than $300 plus costs upon conviction. Towed vehicles stay impounded until the owner pays all towing and storage costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice does Allentown give before a snow emergency ban starts?
Can I shovel my driveway snow into the street?
What does a snow-route parking ticket cost in Allentown?
Sources & Official References
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