West Haven, CT Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Severe weather window
- Start of snowfall to 36 hours after it stops
- Everyday side rule
- No parking on the even-numbered side of city streets
- Loading limits
- Five minutes for passengers, 30 minutes for merchandise
- Snow emergency ban
- Seven named streets, both sides, 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Who declares an emergency
- The Mayor or his designee
- Fine
- Amount set by the traffic authority
Summary
In the City of West Haven, Connecticut, the Severe Weather Ordinance bars parking on the even-numbered side of city streets from the start of a snowfall until 36 hours after it stops. During a Mayor-declared snow emergency, seven named streets are closed to parking on both sides from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
A. It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of a vehicle to allow, permit or suffer such vehicle to stand or park on the side of such street, way, highway or parkway under the control of the city, bearing even street numbers, unless such street is posted with no-parking signs on the odd-numbered side of the street, during a period of severe weather, as defined in § 188-3 of this chapter. It is further provided that on those sides of the street where parking is not permitted, a vehicle may be parked for no longer than five minutes for the loading and unloading of passengers and no longer than 30 minutes for the loading and unloading of merchandise. ... ... B. During a snow emergency, as defined in § 188-3 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of a vehicle to park on either side of the following streets or roads between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.: (1) Campbell Avenue. (2) Savin Avenue. (3) Morgan Lane. (4) Elm Street. (5) Molloy Road. (6) Second Avenue (from Elm Street to Beach Street). (7) Main Street (from Washington Avenue to Savin Avenue).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code, the Severe Weather Ordinance, was adopted by the City Council on 11-12-1985. Section 188-2 states its purpose: regulating parking on public highways during severe weather so the movement of food, fuel, medical care and fire, health and police protection is not impeded.
Two defined periods drive everything. Under § 188-3, severe weather is the period commencing with the start of a snowfall and ending 36 hours after the stop of the snowfall. A snow emergency begins when the Mayor or his designee declares that winter storms are so severe that extraordinary measures are necessary to preserve public safety, and it lasts until it is declared over.
During severe weather, § 188-5 A makes it unlawful to let a vehicle stand or park on the side of a city street bearing even street numbers, unless that street is posted with no-parking signs on the odd-numbered side. On the side where parking is not permitted, a vehicle can stand no longer than five minutes to load or unload passengers and no longer than 30 minutes to load or unload merchandise. Covered streets must be properly declared, posted, announced or otherwise designated under regulations adopted by the Board of Police Commissioners acting as the traffic authority of the City of West Haven.
During a snow emergency, § 188-5 B makes it unlawful to park on either side of Campbell Avenue, Savin Avenue, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Molloy Road, Second Avenue (from Elm Street to Beach Street) and Main Street (from Washington Avenue to Savin Avenue) between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
The registered owner of a vehicle is presumed to have parked it or authorized the parking (§ 188-6). The Director of Public Works can designate municipally owned areas for voluntary parking without a storage fee during severe weather, limited to the spaces provided and at the owner's sole risk (§ 188-11).
Violations & Fines
Section 188-7 sets the fine at the amount set by the traffic authority of the City of West Haven; the chapter itself prints no dollar figure. Under § 188-8 a police officer, on the Chief of Police's direction, can also have the vehicle removed at the owner's expense. The owner recovers it only after proving identity and ownership, signing a receipt and paying towing and any storage fees (§ 188-10). The Chief of Police can move vehicles left in storage more than 48 hours after the end of severe weather is declared (§ 188-12).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which side of the street can I park on during a West Haven snowstorm?
Which West Haven streets close entirely in a snow emergency?
Can I stop briefly on the restricted side to unload?
How much is the ticket for parking in violation of the ordinance?
Where can I leave my car during a storm instead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Haven
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