Snow Parking Regulations

Snow parking regulations are in effect from December 1 to March 31

SNOW-ROUTE-SIGN-11-to-6-jpg.gifEvanston's snow plan is a cooperative effort. These are the basic rules we ask you to follow:

  • Don't park on the Snow Routes at night.
  • During a snow emergency, park on the proper side of residential streets between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Clear your sidewalks of snow and ice.
  • Clear parking lots for which you are responsible, without pushing snow into adjacent streets, alleys or sidewalks.

How do I find out if there is a Snow Emergency / Parking Ban?

  1. Call the Snow Hotline at 847-864-SNOW or 847-866-2917 (recorded message available 24/7)
  2. Tune in to Cable Channel 16
  3. Check the city homepage
  4. Sign up for the City E-Newsletter and receive snow parking email updates
  5. Listen to Evanston Radio AM 1650
  6. Emergency sirens will be used to alert people to move their cars.
  7. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook
  8. Call 311 or 847-448-4311 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Hours of operation will be extended during snow events.

Snow Route Parking Ban

Streets affected:

Main thoroughfares designated with permanent red, white and blue signs. See a map of Snow Routes

In effect:

After an accumulation of 2" of snow

Restriction:

No Parking between 11pm and 6am

Notification:

Emergency sirens will sound at 8:15 p.m. if a parking ban begins at 11 p.m.

 

Additional notification methods: Call the Snow Hotline at 847-864-SNOW or 847-866-2917. Tune in to Cable Channel 16. Check the City's homepage, listen to Evanston Radio AM 1650, or sign-up for the City E-Newsletter, Twitter, or Facebook

Fine for violating:

$50 + Towing & Storage

Length of Ban:

one night or more, depending on the snowfall

 

Snow Emergency, Side Streets

Streets affected:

Streets with parking on both sides which are not posted as Snow Routes

In effect:

By Declaration after an accumulation of 4" or more of snow

Restriction:

No parking between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the even numbered side of the street on even # days

No parking between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the odd numbered side of the street on odd # days

Notification:

Emergency sirens will sound at 7:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Snow Emergency days.

Additional notification methods: Call the Snow Hotline at 847-864-SNOW or 847-866-2917. Tune in to Cable Channel 16. Check the City's homepage, listen to Evanston Radio AM 1650, or sign-up for the City E-Newsletter, Twitter, or Facebook

Fine for violating:

if ticketed: $35

if ticketed & towed: $100

(If towed, your car will be returned to the vicinity from which it was towed)

Length of Ban:

Determined by Public Works Dept.

Most streets with parking on one side only now have permanent “ODD date” or “EVEN date” signs. This allows them to be plowed during snow emergencies.

Driving during snow removal operations

Give snow plows enough room to do their jobs safely:

  • Don’t follow too closely behind the plow;
  • Don’t pass a snow plow on the right;
  • Slow down!

Visibility may be reduced due to blowing snow caused by plowing.

Clearing Sidewalks and Parking Lots

Homeowners and building landlords are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours after a 4"snowfall. Landlords are also responsible for clearing parking lots within 24 hours after a 4" snowfall.

When shoveling a sidewalk, please clear a path that is at least 36 inches wide to allow everyone, including children, people with disabilities and the elderly, to travel freely using the sidewalks instead of the streets. If snow is packed and difficult to remove, it's acceptable to use salt or sand to make them passable. Please be aware of elderly or disabled neighbors who can't shovel their own walks and offer to help them clear snow if you are able.

City Code section addressing snow removal requirements

Reporting snow removal violations

To report a snow removal violation or to inquire about snow removal operations please call 3-1-1 or 847-448-4311 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week or use one of the online forms below.

Service Request Type Description
Snow/Ice/Hazard Removal - from a public sidewalk adjacent to a privately owned parcel(s); private sidewalks; snow/ice on multifamily exterior egress stairs; or private parking lots. To report or request snow/ice/hazard removal.
Snow Removal - Metra property To request snow removal from Metra property.
Snow Removal - Public Sidewalk To request snow removal from a public sidewalk.

Special Notes

Snow parking regulations are in effect until the time indicated on the sign. It is illegal to park on the street during the restricted time, even if the plows have been through. Plowing and salting operations may require a return visit by City trucks.

Mounds of snow at the curb caused by City plows are unavoidable. Please understand that work crews cannot stop to clear driveways as this occurs. Though the City does not plow alleys, we do continue to remove garbage and recycling. Garbage and recycling trucks going through will keep alleys passable during most snowstorms. If you want to have your alley plowed, you may wish to talk with your neighbors about sharing the cost of one of the many private plowing companies listed in the Yellow Pages.

Recorded message: 847.864-SNOW       Customer Service: 311 or 847.448-4311
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