Arvada, CO Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Rather than a standing alternate-side-parking ordinance, Arvada handles snow-blocked streets through its civil emergency powers. Once the city manager declares a civil emergency, emergency, or disaster under § 26-34, § 26-38(j) authorizes an order banning any person from stopping, standing, parking, or abandoning a vehicle in a right-of-way that, in a police officer's discretion, obstructs emergency operations or snow removal operations; such vehicles are then subject to removal under Chapter 54. Separately, § 54-213(a)(3) gives police and public works parking enforcement staff standing authority, emergency declaration or not, to remove, impound, or tow a vehicle whenever its removal is necessary for public health or safety because of snow or other storm and the person in charge is unavailable or unwilling to move it.

Towed vehicles go to a city-designated tow lot; under § 54-214, the registered owner gets written notice within 72 hours listing the reason for the tow and has ten calendar days to request a hearing before a city-appointed hearing officer, who can order towing and storage fees waived if there was no legal authority for the tow. A vehicle left unclaimed 30 calendar days after impoundment, with fees and costs unpaid, may be sold.