Burlington, WI Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Everyday trigger
- 3 inches of snow in 24 hours
- Restricted-parking window
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Default duration
- 48 hours or until plowing done
- Snow-emergency trigger
- 6+ inches in 24 hours
- Vehicle removal
- towed at owner's expense
Summary
Once three inches of snow falls in 24 hours, or blowing snow snarls traffic, Burlington's winter restricted parking takes effect under City Code § 293-4: no vehicle may sit on any street, alley, or municipal lot except the Washington/Dodge parking structure between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., for 48 hours or until plowing is declared complete.
Winter restricted parking. Winter restricted parking regulations shall be in force in the City by reason of a heavy snowstorm whenever snow falls during any period of 24 hours or less to a depth of three inches or more or has fallen or been blown in such manner as to produce a congestion of traffic or a traffic hazard. Winter restricted parking is declared to continue for a period of 48 hours or until such earlier time as snowplowing operations have been declared completed by the Supervisor of Streets and Parks or his designated representative. ... Winter restricted parking regulations. Whenever winter restricted parking is in force and the Supervisor of Streets and Parks or his designated representative shall have an announcement thereof made by whatever means is available, no person shall park, or suffer to be parked, any vehicle of any kind or description between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. upon any street, alley or municipal parking lot, except the parking structure on Washington Street and Dodge Street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4997580; v29 updated 2026-07-07; through 07-07-2026).
Full Breakdown
under § 293-4B. That ban runs for 48 hours or ends earlier once the Supervisor of Streets and Parks declares plowing operations complete. A second, harsher tier kicks in for a true snow emergency: under § 293-4A(2), when the Mayor or City Administrator, consulting with the Director of Public Works and the on-duty Chief of Police, determines an emergency exists because of a heavy snowstorm of six inches or more in 24 hours, a blizzard, blowing and drifting snow, or another catastrophe, they may declare an emergency and ban parking around the clock on every street, alley, and municipal lot except the Washington/Dodge Street parking structure.
The declaring officials must notify local media when the emergency starts and ends, and only the Director of Public Works can end it, based on a finding that street clearing is substantially complete. Alternate-side parking, which otherwise governs overnight parking outside the Central Business District, is suspended entirely during any declared snow emergency.
Violations & Fines
A vehicle parked in violation of winter restricted parking or a snow emergency may be towed by the City or a private contractor to a public or designated lot and ticketed for illegal parking under § 293-4D, with the owner billed for the towing charge under § 293-4E and Chapter 31, § 31-9B. The City disclaims responsibility for any damage while the vehicle is impounded or in transit. Chapter-wide, unpermitted parking offenses also sit under the Code's general penalty in § 1-4, forfeiting $5 to $500 for a first offense and $10 to $1,000 for a repeat offense within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much snow triggers winter restricted parking in Burlington?
What's the difference between winter restricted parking and a snow emergency?
Where can I still park during a declared snow emergency?
What happens if my car is parked in violation during a snow event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burlington
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