Watertown's Winter Parking Ban Begins Tonight

Winter's chill has arrived, and with it comes the winter parking ban for the streets of Watertown. Sunday night, police will begin enforcing the prohibition of overnight parking.

The ban is put in place so the Department of Public Works can clear snow and ice during winter storms, according to the Watertown Police Station's Traffic Division.

The ban starts at 11:59 PM, and under the Winter Parking Ban Ordinance, no vehicle shall remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. every day of the week until April 1, 2011.

HP placard holders are not exempt from the parking ban, and all vehicles must be properly registered and insured.

Several overnight parking options in public property locations exist in Watertown.

Residents are allowed to park in lots at Watertown Public Schools a during the overnight hours. All locations are open to overnight parking at 7 p.m., but all vehicles must be removed no later than 7 a.m. the following day. During a snow event, any vehicle parked at a school facility must be removed no later than 6 a.m. to allow for snow removal by the town.

Other locations include:

1. Any metered space at a any of the Town's Municipal Parking lots.
2. Any public school parking lot.
3. Public parking lot at Mt Auburn street and Boylston Streets.
4. Victory Field-Marion Road Ext.
5. Police station front lot only (23 spaces) at 552 Main Street.

In addition to the Winter Parking Ban, the Police Department reminds commercial business owners that the property owner is responsible for the removal of any snow or ice from any sidewalk – improved or plain asphalt - following any snow or ice storm. A 36-inch pathway must be cleared on all sidewalks that abut the commercial business and no snow or ice may be thrown or placed on any public way under any circumstances.

For any questions regarding the winter parking ban or snow removal by-laws, contact Sgt. Joseph Deignan at 617-972-6547.