Paterson, NJ Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Article X of Chapter 435, Vehicles Obstructing Snow Removal, was adopted on May 9, 1995 as part of Ord. No. 95-027. Section 435-131 does two things. First, in addition to emergency snow removal, it directs the Department of Public Works to remove snow from City streets during each street's designated street cleaning day and time. Second, it authorizes removal of vehicles: any unoccupied vehicle stopped, parked or standing on a street during that street's designated days and hours for street cleaning and/or snow removal can be removed by any police officer, the Director of the Department of Public Works, or any person the Director designates. The owner has to pay the reasonable costs of removal and storage before gaining possession of the vehicle.

The rule turns on a schedule, not a storm declaration. The section itself prints no days or hours. Another chapter of the code says the days and hours are set out in the Street Cleaning Ordinance and that the Director of Public Works has curbside signs erected to notify the public. A car left on a signed street during those posted hours is exposed to removal whether or not snow is falling.

The fine is set in § 435-132, amended February 8, 2005 by Ord. No. 05-015: every owner of a motor vehicle convicted under the article pays $50. Fines for violation of § 435-131 are payable at the Violations Bureau without a court appearance, and costs of court of $30 are imposed under New Jersey Court Rule 7:11-4 for all such payments.

Related snow duties sit in Article VI of the same chapter. The owner or tenant in possession of land abutting a public sidewalk must remove all snow and ice from that sidewalk within 12 hours of daylight after it falls or forms (§ 435-103). If not, the Director of Public Works has it removed and the cost becomes a lien and tax on the property (§ 435-104). Under § 435-105, no one can place snow or ice on the traffic lanes of a roadway, and snow cleared from in front of a property for parking or access must be piled in the roadway line so the gutterway stays unobstructed. No one can move snow from private property onto a sidewalk or roadway. Article VI violations carry a $50 fine with $30 court costs (§ 435-106).