Snow rules
Reading, MA
CallDepartment of Public Works, Highway Division: 781-942-9092After hours: 781-944-1212 (nights, weekends, holidays)
Ban alertsReading Notify Me / Alert Center signupreadingma.gov
School closingsReading Public Schoolsreading.k12.ma.us
- Winter parking ban
- No parking on any street or town lot 1-6 a.m. (Traffic Rules Sec. 5.9, Oct 2026).
- Snow emergency
- Town Manager (or designee) declares a snow emergency on the DPW Director's advice; parking rules change for its duration.
- Odd / even side
- No published rule found
- Where to park during a ban
- Sticker holders (Reading Community Access Sticker) may use 35 spaces in the Depot lot, Lincoln St side.
- Tow lot and fees
- No published rule found
- Sidewalk clearing and fines
- No rule today requiring owners to clear sidewalks; DPW plows 50+ miles, up to 72 hours after a storm.
- Where snow can and cannot go
- Do not push snow from your property into the street or onto the sidewalk (General Bylaw 8.1.5) unless the DPW Director gives a permit.
- Hydrants
- Keep hydrants and catch basins clear of snow; no parking within 10 feet and no piling snow within 10 feet of a hydrant (Sec. 5.4.6).
- Trash and recycling in storms
- Trash and recycling is postponed only in the most severe storms; if cancelled, pickup is the next day, weather permitting.
MBTA: Reading station is on the Haverhill Line commuter rail (to North Station). Service alerts: mbta.com/alerts
My car goes:
My side this winter:
Neighbor to check on: