Worcester, MA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Chapter 13, § 43 (ban), § 65 (plow interference)
- Ban trigger
- Snow over 2 inches or ice needing clearing
- Zone A restricted hours
- 2:00-6:00 a.m., Dec.-April
- All Others restricted hours
- 2:00-6:00 a.m., Dec.-March
- Ban lifts when
- Street cleared within 12 inches of curb
- Plow-interference fine
- $50 per violation
Summary
Worcester's winter parking ban runs December through April (March for most zones) and triggers a 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. no-parking window on designated streets whenever snow tops two inches or ice requires clearing. Chapter 13, Section 43 sets the zones; Section 65 separately bars blocking plows or leaf crews any time of year.
(1) Zone A. Between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. during the period during December, January, February, March and April and whenever snow accumulates to a depth greater than two inches, or when ice or freezing rain require street clearing operations, or until the street has been cleared of snow or ice to within twelve inches of the curb line, or until street treatment operations have been completed. (2) All Others. Between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. during the period during December, January, February and March and whenever snow accumulates to a depth greater than two inches...
Full Breakdown
Section 43, "Winter Parking Ban," splits the city into zones filed as Schedule VII with the city clerk: an arterial "Zone A" ban on both sides of listed streets, an odd-side ban on Zone B streets, both-sides-allowed Zone C, both-sides-prohibited Zone D, and an extraordinary-conditions Zone E, plus a general "even side ban" defaulting to any street not otherwise listed. during December through March, in both cases "whenever snow accumulates to a depth greater than two inches, or when ice or freezing rain require street clearing operations," continuing until the street is cleared to within twelve inches of the curb or treatment operations finish.
On declared-ban streets, the restriction only takes effect once the city manager or a delegated official issues a formal "winter parking ban declaration," which must be announced to local radio, television, cable and newspaper outlets and to the police department's ranking duty officer, and which stays in force until the same official issues a rescission, also filed with the city clerk. Section 65 adds a year-round companion rule: an owner may not let a vehicle stand in a way that interferes with plowing, snow or ice removal, street cleaning, or leaf collection operations.
Violations & Fines
Section 36(f) sets a fifty-dollar fine for each violation of Section 65(a) and (b) interference with plowing, cleaning or leaf collection. Winter Parking Ban violations under Section 43 are enforced through towing: vehicles left on a banned street can be relocated or towed at the owner's expense under the general removal authority elsewhere in Chapter 13, and any unpaid fine grows by five dollars after 21 days and a further fifteen dollars once the Registrar of Motor Vehicles is notified under G.L. c. 90, section 20A1/2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours does Worcester's winter parking ban cover?
How do I know if the winter parking ban is in effect on my street?
Can I be fined for blocking a snowplow even outside the winter ban hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Worcester
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Snow Removal Parking Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle snow removal parking rules.