**** HRM Media Release
Municipal Overnight Winter Parking Ban Takes Effect Wednesday, Dec. 15
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the municipal overnight winter parking ban will be in effect again this winter season from Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 through Thursday, March 31, 2022. The overnight winter ban is enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events and snow removal operations only.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead when snow is in the forecast and secure off-street parking when the overnight winter parking ban is enforced.
New for the 2021/22 winter season
This winter season the municipality is implementing two zones for the overnight winter parking ban: Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central.
Zone 1 – Central refers to the Halifax Peninsula and downtown Dartmouth within Highway 111 (the Circumferential Highway) and some surrounding areas.
Zone 2 – Non-Central is a designated area outside of Zone 1 – Central.
It’s important to note that with the introduction of the two zones, the following overnight winter parking ban scenarios may occur during, or following, a declared weather event:
- Municipal wide overnight winter parking ban is in effect/has been lifted
- Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban is in effect/has been lifted
- Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban is in effect/has been lifted
- Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 2 – Non-Central
- Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 1 – Central
In previous winter seasons, targeted snow removal in certain downtown areas was required although the overnight winter parking ban was not enforced. The change to create two zones will improve service delivery by leveraging overnight winter parking bans that can accommodate more targeted snow removal.
Residents are able to determine which zone they’re in by searching their address using the interactive tool available here, or by referring to the attached map.
Overnight winter parking bans will continue to be communicated to residents via public service announcements, hfxALERT, halifax.ca, @hfxgov on Twitter or by calling 311. Residents who are signed up for hfxALERT will continue to receive notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios.
Compliance
When and where you park this winter can have a big impact on snow clearing. To help ensure the streets are properly cleared, the municipality continues its enhanced parking enforcement in areas around hospitals and schools, bus routes and operationally challenging streets for snow equipment and emergency vehicles.
Officers will be ticketing vehicles obstructing sidewalk clearing. Vehicles hanging out of a driveway or parked on the sidewalk are prone to damage and become a dangerous obstacle for crews. Such obstacles prevent crews from clearing the sidewalks properly, which can quickly become an accessibility issue for pedestrians, including seniors, people with mobility issues and parents pushing strollers.
The municipality wants to remind residents that Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act also requires that people remove their vehicles from the streets, day or night at any time of year, in the event of a weather event or ongoing clearing operations. Vehicles obstructing snow removal or winter maintenance operations can be removed at the owner’s cost, regardless of the time or date.
To help avoid a ticket, and the costs of being towed, residents should ask themselves these four questions when considering parking on the street this winter:
- Is the overnight parking ban currently being enforced?
- Is your car causing a safety issue?
- Is it making the road impassable?
- Is it impeding snow operations underway in the area?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, do not park on the street. The municipality does not want to ticket or tow — the objective is to keep vehicles off the streets to facilitate efficient and safe clearing. This, in turn, ensures emergency vehicles, buses and other traffic have proper access.
Safety
Planters, lawn decorations and any other portable objects near the sidewalk should be removed before the winter. Any permanent structures or objects too big to move should be marked with a reflector that will be visible above the snow to help crews identify obstacles.
Safety is our top for residents and crews. We ask for residents’ continued co-operation and diligence during times when the overnight winter parking ban is in place.
Important reminders to all property owners
Never clear snow from your property onto the street or sidewalk. Property owners must ensure the snow they clear is piled on their own property. It is against By-Law S-300 to throw or pile snow in the street or on the sidewalk. This is a serious problem that can cause safety issues for pedestrians and other users as it complicates clearing for crews. The municipality has enforcement in place to address non-compliance with the By-Law.
Weather conditions and snow clearing operations will determine how long an overnight parking ban will be enforced, as it may extend for more than one night. The easiest way to stay informed about the status of overnight winter parking bans is to register for automated notifications by signing up online for hfxALERT. Subscribers will receive timely alerts by phone, email, and/or text message when the ban is in effect, and again when it is lifted.
In addition to automated notifications, the municipality will issue public service announcements, which are shared on halifax.ca and via @hfxgov on Twitter. Residents can also call 311 at any time for up-to-date information.
Think before you park this winter — it will help make the season a little easier on everyone.
For more information on municipal winter operations, please visit halifax.ca/snow.
