Somerville, MA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)

Section 10-10 of the Traffic Commission Regulations lets the Commissioner of Public Works, or the Superintendent of Highways if the Commissioner cannot act, declare a snow emergency whenever threatening or existing weather may impair traffic flow or when parked cars could block snow and ice removal. Once the Commissioner announces the emergency through available news or mass communication media, no vehicle may park on the streets covered by the declaration for as long as the emergency lasts. The alternating rule flips by year: parking is banned on the even-numbered address side of every city street during a winter season beginning in an odd-numbered year, and on the odd-numbered side during a winter beginning in an even-numbered year, except where parking is already banned on one side at all times, in which case that side-only rule stays unchanged.

' A filed certificate from the Commissioner or Superintendent stating when the emergency started and ended, and that it was announced through the media, counts as prima facie evidence in any prosecution or towing dispute. The rule does not apply to commercial vehicles stopped temporarily to load or unload. Where the Traffic Commission approves it for a street with parking on both sides along a snow plow route, parking during any declared emergency is allowed only on the side with houses, in both odd and even seasons, per Schedule T.