Springfield, MA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Mayor's snow emergency declaration
- Can restrict
- citywide or odd-address parking
- Announced via
- newspaper, radio, TV
- Enforcement
- towing, per § 385-10
Summary
When Springfield's Mayor declares a snow emergency, the Police Chief can bar parking citywide or restrict cars to even-numbered addresses, and every owner and driver must obey the temporary rules.
Upon such declaration of a state of emergency, the Chief of Police shall issue temporary emergency regulations preventing and prohibiting, during the emergency, the parking or driving of any vehicle on the whole or any part of any or all public ways or, in the alternative, the parking of any vehicle on that side of all public ways where any building is designated with an odd number.
B. The Chief of Police shall advertise such temporary emergency regulations in a daily newspaper published in the City.
C. When the conditions creating the emergency no longer exist, the Chief of Police shall publish a notice terminating such temporary emergency regulations in a daily newspaper published in the City.
D. Any fines received for violation of this section shall apply to all vehicles, whether towed or not. [Added 12-18-2017]
E. This section will go into effect immediately upon Mayoral approval. [Added 12-18-2017]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 385, Article IV of the Springfield, Massachusetts City Code, a state of emergency begins when the Mayor issues a public declaration (via a City newspaper or local radio/TV) that snow and ice are blocking emergency vehicles. Once declared, the Chief of Police issues temporary regulations that can ban parking or driving citywide, or limit parking to the even-numbered side of every public way; those rules are likewise advertised in a City newspaper. Section 385-10 requires every owner and driver to obey the Chief's regulations while the emergency is in effect. This is a Hampden County city ordinance with no county-level equivalent, since Hampden County government was abolished in 1998.
Violations & Fines
Article IV sets no fixed dollar fine of its own; vehicles parked or driven contrary to the Chief of Police's emergency regulations may be towed, and fines apply whether or not the vehicle was towed, per § 385-9(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Springfield, MA residents learn a snow emergency parking ban is active?
Can my car be towed during a Springfield snow emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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