The annual snow route parking ban starts on Friday. Learn more about it so you don't get caught with a tow and ticket.

On Friday, December 1, the snow route parking ban will go into effect, starting at 2:00 a.m. The ban is in effect on designated snow route between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. every day.

"We have that ban in effect to enable the City to have a rapid and effective removal of snow on our roadways," said Cheryl Anderson, Acting Manager of Street Maintenance at the City of Winnipeg.

The snow route parking ban covers five different types of winter parking bans that may come into effect at different times throughout the winter:

  • Annual Snow Route Parking Ban - parking is now allowed between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any snow route between December 1 and March 1. This ban is always active, regardless of weather.
  • Declared Snow Route Parking Ban - If snowfall requires additional plowing, a Declared Snow Route Parking Ban is placed into effect, which extends the parking ban from 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
  • Residential Parking Ban - After an extreme snowfall, residential streets are plowed. Each zone is plowed in 12-hour shifts, in which you must have your car removed. Download the Know Your Zone app to find out which zone you are in or find our address online.
  • Snow Emergency - A Snow Emergency is announced by the Mayor and bans parking on all snow routes while it is in effect.
  • Temporary No Parking - If a street requires additional clearing, temporary 'no parking' signs are posted.

snowroute
Snow routes are clearly labelled with signs and typically consist of major streets and bus routes. Vehicles parked on these routes between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. can receive a $100 ticket and may be towed.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority will also be issuing tickets for parking violations via mail as well as placing a ticket on the windshield, which is new for 2017.

The City wants to encourage drivers to stay safe when they are on the road and around plowing equipment.

"I always caution motorists to be aware of the equipment around them and to stay back," Anderson said.