Get Ready for Winter Parking Rules in the Southern Tier

The start of November for many years brings the alternate side of the street parking rules in some municipalities.  But that may be delayed depending on local governments.

In Johnson City, the ordinance has been amended for the past several years to delay the start of winter parking rules to December 1.

When the rules go into effect, you must park on the odd-numbered side of the street by 5 p.m. if the next day is an odd-number calendar day. If the next day is an even day, vehicles have to be moved to the even numbered side of the street by 5p.m. the night before.

Police generally issue warnings the first couple of weeks of the winter parking rules.

The changes can be confusing, with even some government officials disagreeing about when their rules start. Check with your local municipality's parking enforcement office to see if the start of winter parking rules are the same as the date posted on street signs.

Every year people question why they have to start parking for winter weather when no snow has fallen or is in the forecast.  Officials say the answer is simple:  The rules start now to get people in the habit of parking on the correct side of the street when the restrictions are needed to keep roads clearer for snow plows and emergency vehicles to get through.

Alternate side winter parking runs to April 1 in Binghamton and Johnson City.

Other municipalities have different winter parking rules ranging from prohibiting vehicles on the street following a certain amount of snow to banning parking from municipally-maintained roads completely.  Generally, residents can check a government’s website for the regulations and dates.