Rochester, MN Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Season
- November 1 through April 1
- Restricted hours
- 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Rule
- Even dates: even side; odd dates: odd side
- Signage
- Posted at major roadway entrances
- Emergency towing
- No waiting period under § 11-8-5
- Governing sections
- City Code §§ 11-6-49, 11-8-3 to 11-8-7
Summary
From November 1 through April 1, Rochester bans street parking between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the side of the street matching the date: even dates park on even-numbered addresses, odd dates on odd. A declared snow emergency can extend the restriction and trigger towing.
(a)No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle on any street in the city on any day between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. beginning November 1 and ending April 1, except as hereinafter provided:(1)On even-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may be parked on the near side of the street adjacent to properties which have been assigned even numbers; and(2)On odd-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may be parked on the near side of the street adjacent to properties which have been assigned odd numbers.(b)This division does not apply to any street where parking is limited to one side, any street which has more restrictive parking requirements, nor to any metered parking spaces.(d)In the event a snow emergency is declared per section 11-8-3, then these seasonal parking restrictions remain in effect for the duration of the snow emergency. Vehicles in violation of the seasonal parking restrictions during a snow emergency may be removed and towed without regard to the waiting period, pursuant to section 11-8-5 and to the extent allowed by state law.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 11-6-49 runs the seasonal even/odd system automatically every winter without a separate declaration. window. Subsection (b) exempts streets where parking is already limited to one side, streets with more restrictive posted rules, and metered spaces. The city posts signs announcing the seasonal restriction at all major roadway entrances under subsection (c). When the director of public works declares an actual snow or ice emergency under Chapter 11-8, subsection (d) keeps the seasonal restriction running for the full length of the emergency and strips away the normal towing wait period, so vehicles in violation during a declared emergency can be towed immediately under § 11-8-5.
Chapter 11-8 separately empowers the director of public works to declare a snow or ice emergency in writing, notify the public through at least two news outlets, and impose special parking restrictions no earlier than six hours after the declaration; business-district streets and alleys get a hard no-parking rule during posted emergency hours, while the director can also impose 24-hour-notice temporary restrictions under § 11-8-7 on any street needing plowing, even without declaring a full emergency. The seasonal rule was created by Ordinance No. 4388 in 2019 and refined by Ordinance No. 4391 the same year and Ordinance No. 4447 in 2021.
Violations & Fines
Parking on the wrong side during the seasonal window, or violating snow-emergency restrictions, is a misdemeanor under City Code § 1-1-11, with fines up to $1,000.00, up to 90 days in jail, or both, unless the city treats the offense as a petty misdemeanor capped at $300.00. During a declared emergency, § 11-8-5 lets the city tow and impound a violating vehicle without waiting, and the owner bears all towing and storage costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the street can I park on in winter in Rochester?
Does a snow emergency change the parking rule?
How does Rochester announce a snow emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rochester
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