One of the hurdles that Roadway Maintenance faces in terms of doing the best job possible in keeping traffic moving is having to work around parked vehicles. This becomes very difficult on collector/bus routes when vehicles block lanes required by commuters, buses and emergency responders.

A seasonal parking ban will be put into effect in Edmonton when there is a significant snowfall that results in the City having to plow major routes.

Once the ban is in effect (following the notification period), vehicles parked where the 'Seasonal Parking Ban Signage' appears must be removed from those routes. Vehicles still in place once the ban is in effect are subject to tagging and towing.

The City will give citizens a minimum of 8 hours notice before a ban takes effect.

Whenever a ban is declared, the public will be made aware of it through the following channels:

• news conference
• public service announcement
• the City's website
• Sign up for email notifications
• digital messaging boards deployed throughout the city
• electronic messaging on the front of all ETS buses
• postings on Twitter and Facebook

When city crews have finished work on all residential bus routes, the ban will be lifted.

Please note that the parking ban remains in effect until notification is sent out by the City of Edmonton (through the media, with banners on the City's website, via email notifications, and with postings on Twitter and Face Book). Residents should not assume that it is acceptable to park on a plowed bus route until the ban has been officially lifted. Vehicles parking on bus routes before then remain subject to tagging and towing.

The parking ban remains in effect throughout the entire city until such time as all work is complete. Do not assume that it is legal to park on a plowed bus route until the ban has been officially lifted. Vehicles parking on bus routes with ‘Seasonal Parking Ban’ signage before the ban is lifted are subject to tagging and towing.

It may look as though the plows have gone through and the road is finished, but more equipment may be moving through afterwards (to remove snow or clean up driveways) and that equipment will still need access to do the job most efficiently. In addition, there may be more snow either falling or forecasted, and the ban may have to be extended.

Vehicles owners will receive a $50 ticket and may also have to pay the cost of towing/ impound fees.

Vehicles can be parked in garages, in driveways, in parking lots and on side roads; bus routes must remain clear so that crews may complete their work quickly and without obstruction.

Vehicles authorized to park in designated handicapped spaces are not subject to the ban. Those vehicles parked without proper authorization in those zones will be fined.

The old snow route ban was designed in the early 1970s and no longer meets the needs of today’s policy. While the former ban required 48 hours notice to residents before plowing, our current policy requires that those same roadways be completed within 48 hours following a snow event. The old snow route system has been eliminated entirely, replaced with the new event-based seasonal parking ban.

City roadways were never intended to be used as designated public parking; roads are for the use of private and commercial vehicle traffic, mass transit and first responders. Vehicles must be parked off of the street or on those side roads not part of the parking ban.

Alleys next to bus routes will be the highest priority alleys to be plowed to allow easier access. Alleys will be bladed to a 5 cm snow pack.

Seasonal parking bans are common across North American winter cities. The City of Edmonton opted for an event-based ban to minimize impact on citizens while still allowing crews the access they need. Unrestricted on-street parking will be permitted from March 15 – November 15 each year, with the exception of those times when street cleaning is taking place.

Developers are required to provide adequate parking for residents of apartment buildings and condominiums; guests of those residents or vehicles which exceed the designated number of parking lot spots will have to be parked on side streets or in private parking lots.

If you typically park your vehicle on a road signed for seasonal parking ban and are going out of town or leaving your car on the road for an extended period of time this winter, you should find alternate parking before you go. The Province’s Traffic Safety Act also bans vehicles from parking in one spot for over 72 hours. If snowfalls are expected, you should try to be proactive and remove your vehicles from the road until the snow has been cleared off the road.

If you believe your vehicle has been towed, contact the Police Seized Vehicle Section at 780-496-8668, or visit the impound lot at 12230 124 Ave NW.