City Winter 101
Courtesy Adam Gaffin, www.universalhub.com
Information from City of Boston
Walsh: 48-hour space-saver rule will remain in effect this winter - except in the South End
Mayor Walsh said last week it's steady as it goes for the city's informal rule that lets residents save parking spaces they've shoveled out after the end of a snowstorm serious enough to require declaration of an emergency declaration.
The one exception is the South End, where the city will continue to ban all space saving all the time, Walsh said at his annual pre-winter preparation news conference at the DPW facility off I-93 in the South End.
Jerome Smith, the city's chief of civic engagement, asked residents to shovel out hydrants after a storm
Winter in Boston
Emergencies: dial 911
Non-emergency city services and information: dial 311
www.boston.gov/winter-boston for more information
Parking Bans
Discounted Garages
During declared snow emergencies, discounted parking is available at some parking lots and garages for Boston residents.
A list of discounted parking garages and lots you can use at www.boston.gov/winter-boston.
Restricted Streets Map
Through our map at www.boston.gov/winter-boston, you can search with your address to find the restricted streets in your neighborhood.
Parking In Snowy Weather
It's important for us to keep main roads clear for plows and emergency vehicles during extreme weather. You will be ticketed and towed if you park on a posted snow emergency artery during a declared snow emergency.
Plows And Emergency Vehicles
Help us keep streets open to plows and emergency vehicles by parking at least 20 feet away from intersections and no further than 1 foot from the curb. Don't block sidewalks, fire hydrants, ramps, driveways, or the street with your vehicle.
Clear Your Muffler
For your safety, make sure to clear all snow at least one foot around your muffler before starting your engine. Blocked mufflers can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Towed Cars
If you believe your vehicle was towed in Boston, search the towing database or call the Boston Police Tow Line at 617-343-4629.
Space Savers
Did you use a trash can, cone, or some other object to save your parking space on the street?
Here's what you need to know:
You can only use a space saver when the City declares a snow emergency.
You have 48 hours to use a space saver after we end an emergency. After that, you must remove it from the street.
Plow My Street, Please!
We prioritize clearing main routes - like Commonwealth, Hyde Park, and Blue Hill Avenues - so emergency vehicles can get to schools, hospitals, and homes quickly. If you think your street was missed by a plow, let us know by submitting a request to 311.
Shoveling
Property Owners Must:
clear sidewalks within three hours of snowfall ending or three hours after sunrise if it snows overnight, and
clear at least a 42-inch-wide path for wheelchairs and strollers.
Simply put, we're looking for an accessible path of travel. While the rule is three hours, we try to be reasonable for deciding when we start the clock. Our goal isn't to fine you. We just want people - especially youth and seniors - to be able to get around safely.
Shoveling Fines:
We have information on what you can expect to pay in fines each day your sidewalk is unshoveled, or if you shovel snow onto the street. We fine ourselves for City-owned properties too.
Things We Could Use Your Help With:
Don't shovel or push snow into the street. If you do, the City may fine you.
Remove ice to bare pavement or make as level as possible and treat with sand, sawdust, or similar material. Every year dozens of people are seriously injured slipping and falling on sidewalks.
Please clear any snow that may be blocking a handicap ramp, fire hydrant, or storm drain. If a hydrant is buried in snow, it takes the fire department time to find it and shovel it out.
Don't leave snow or ice on stairways or fire escapes. All common means of exit must be clear in case of a fire or another emergency.
Prepare For The Cold
Stay Safe During Extreme Cold
When you know severely cold weather is coming, remember to take steps to prepare. Please also check on your elderly or disabled neighbors, and take caution when using portable heating devices like space heaters.
Frostbite And Hypothermia
Make sure to cover exposed skin and watch out for frostbite. In extreme cold, frostbite can happen in under a minute. Wind also increases the risk of frostbite.
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can retain heat. This can create a dangerously low body temperature.
Carbon Monoxide
Every year, thousands of people are killed or seriously injured from breathing in carbon monoxide.
Winter is a dangerous time for carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe on your car is clear of snow, as well as your house's heater vent.
If You Lose Power
Reporting Power Outages
Please call your utility company to report any outages. You can also call 311 with any concerns or questions.
Eversouce: 1-800-592-2000
National Grid: 1-800-322-3223
Boston Water and Sewer Commission: 617-989-7000
Warming Center
When the Mayor declares a winter weather emergency, we make BCYF Community Centers available as warming centers. How many centers we open up depends on the need.
Because the BCYF Warming Center list changes, please call 311 for updates on which centers are open during emergencies.