Lawrence, MA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Mayor's declared "snow emergency," not fixed dates
- Hours
- 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily while in effect
- Rule
- Even dates park even side, odd dates park odd side
- Notice
- Emergency parking beacon, cable TV, radio, print media
- Fine
- $25.00 per § 10.08.170 Group D.2
- Effective
- July 1, 2019 (Doc. 78/2018)
- Exempt roads
- State highway segments of Jackson St, Riverside Dr, Winthrop Ave
Summary
When Lawrence's mayor declares a snow emergency, the Winter Parking Ordinance flips on citywide: cars on listed streets must sit on the even-numbered side on even calendar dates and the odd side on odd dates, daily from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., until the mayor rescinds the declaration.
A.The winter alternate parking ordinance shall only take effect during the dates and times specified in a "snow and ice emergency" issued by the mayor or his/her designee.B.Whenever, in the opinion of the mayor or his/her designee, existing or impending meteorological conditions warrant, or are likely to warrant, plowing, sanding, or other street clearing operations, the mayor is hereby granted authority to issue a "snow emergency." Such declaration shall state the date and time when the winter alternate parking is to become effective.E.Winter alternate parking shall mean that on the following streets, between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., daily, vehicles shall, unless otherwise prohibited by law, be parked on one side of the street only, so that on the even-numbered dates of the calendar, vehicles shall be parked on the even-numbered sides of the streets, and on the odd-numbered dates of the calendar, they shall be parked on the odd-numbered sides of the streets.F.Vehicles parked in violation of this section shall be subject to being towed upon the direction of the authority in charge of snow removal or street sweeping.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).
Full Breakdown
031, the winter alternate parking rule does not run on a fixed calendar; it only takes effect when the mayor or a designee formally declares a "snow and ice emergency" because existing or impending weather warrants plowing, sanding or other street-clearing work. The declaration must state the date and time the alternate-side rule becomes effective, and the mayor must notify the police department's ranking officer on duty and the city council, using the emergency parking beacon plus local cable television, radio and print media to alert residents.
The declaration and any later rescission are filed with the city clerk. for the emergency's duration. Segments of Jackson Street north of Berkeley Street, Riverside Drive west of Ames Street, and Winthrop Avenue south of Osgood Street are carved out because they are state highways. 031 replaced an older December 15-to-April 1 seasonal rule; it was adopted under Doc. 78/2018, approved December 18, 2018, and made effective July 1, 2019, so the ordinance now runs on emergency declarations rather than fixed winter dates.
Violations & Fines
A vehicle left on the wrong side during a declared emergency can be towed on the direction of the snow-removal authority or the police chief and designated officers, and the owner is liable for removal and storage costs on top of a fine. The city's schedule of parking fines under § 10.08.170 assesses $25.00 for "violation of the alternate parking ordinance" (Group D.2), within the $15.00-to-$35.00 statutory range set by G.L. c. 90, § 20A½.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a snow emergency is in effect in Lawrence?
What side of the street can I park on during a declared emergency?
Can my car be towed for parking on the wrong side during a snow emergency?
Does the alternate-side rule apply on every street in Lawrence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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