Lynn snow emergency and parking ban rules
Lynn bans parking on every street and sidewalk in a declared snow emergency, publishes its tow lot and gives hard deadlines for leaving the snow lots. Two city pages give different tow fees, so we show both.
Lynn at a glance
- Rule
- No parking on any public street or sidewalk in a declared emergency
- Alerts
- RAVE Mobile Safety through Smart911. Flashing blue lights at major intersections
- If towed
- $150 ticket + $35 a day storage + a tow fee the city lists as $195 on one page and $169 on another
- Tow lot
- 389 Blossom St (Lynn Ferry Terminal site)
- City lots
- Open once the ban is announced; out in 2 hours or by 6 a.m.
- Sidewalks
- 10 hours for 6 units or fewer, 3 daylight hours for bigger buildings. $50, $100, $300
Storm day in Lynn, in order
- BeforeSign up for RAVE. Find your lot on the map.
- Ban announcedMove the car off streets and sidewalks.
- DuringCity lots open to residents.
- Lifted before 9 p.m.2 hours to leave the lot.
- Lifted after 9 p.m.Out by 6 a.m. next day.
- AfterSidewalk clock: 10 hours, or 3 for big buildings.
How a Lynn parking ban works
During a declared snow emergency no vehicle may park on a public street or sidewalk. The city announces when the ban is lifted. Vehicles on streets and sidewalks can be ticketed and towed, and the city strongly advises finding off-street parking.
The Parking Department says the city signals an emergency with flashing blue lights at major intersections, electronic roadway message boards, the city website and social media. After the emergency ends, a car that stops plows from clearing the street can get a $100 impeding snow removal citation.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: Snow Emergencies & Parking; City of Lynn Parking Department: Snow Emergencies
How you find out: RAVE and Smart911
Lynn uses RAVE Mobile Safety for parking bans, weather alerts, school closings, emergency declarations and major traffic delays. You sign up through the link on the city's snow page, which goes to Smart911.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: Snow Emergencies & Parking; Smart911; City of Lynn: RAVE/Smart 911
Where to park: designated city lots
Residents can move cars to designated city lots once the ban is announced. The city publishes a Google map of the lots. Cars must come out promptly when the emergency ends or they are towed.
Lynn also says it will run a Snow Permit pilot for the school lots, with registration to be announced, so the city can email residents when a car must be removed.
| Ban lifted | You must remove the car |
|---|---|
| Before 9 p.m. | Within 2 hours |
| After 9 p.m. | By 6 a.m. the next day |
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: Snow Emergencies & Parking; Lynn snow emergency lots (city Google map)
What it costs if your car is towed
Two official city pages disagree on the tow fee. The DPW snow page says $195. The Parking Department snow page says $169. Both list the same $150 ticket and $35 a day storage. Plan on the higher number and ask the city which one applies. The tow lot is at 389 Blossom Street (the Lynn Ferry Terminal site).
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tow fee | $195 (DPW page) or $169 (Parking Department page) |
| Ticket | $150 |
| Storage per day at the tow lot | $35 |
| Tow plus ticket, before storage | $319 to $345 |
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: Snow Emergencies & Parking; City of Lynn Parking Department: Snow Emergencies
Sidewalk deadline and fines
The city posts its 2015 snow removal ordinance amendment. An owner, manager or tenant of the building or land next to a sidewalk must not leave slush, loose, granular or packed snow on it past the deadline. Clear the full paved width, or at least 42 inches, including curb cuts, crosswalks and handicapped ramps. Bigger buildings also clear hydrants next to the property.
The rule also covers snow and ice that slides or falls off a building, and ice that forms on the sidewalk. A roof that dumps onto the walk is the owner's problem.
| Building | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 6 or fewer residential units | 10 hours after sunrise or when snowfall ceases |
| Commercial, mixed-use, or more than 6 residential units | 3 hours between sunrise and sunset |
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: 2015 snow removal ordinance amendment (DOCX)
Fines, and snow in the street
Fines are $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second and $300 for later ones. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. The city may issue a warning for a first offense. Inspectional Services issues the violations. Pay at the Parking Department or online, and ask for a hearing within 21 days.
After three violation notices in 24 months the city can clear the sidewalk itself, bill the owner and add an unpaid bill to the property tax bill.
It is also a violation to deposit or dump snow from your property or sidewalk onto a city street, with the same fines.
| Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| First | $50 (a warning is possible) |
| Second | $100 |
| Third and later | $300 |
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: 2015 snow removal ordinance amendment (DOCX); City of Lynn Parking Department: Snow and Ice Fines
Edge cases
Sidewalk parking
The ban covers public sidewalks as well as streets. Vehicles on either are subject to ticketing and towing.
Renters
The sidewalk ordinance names the owner, manager or tenant. Settle with your landlord who shovels before the first storm.
Landlords and condos
Over six units, or any commercial or mixed-use building, you have 3 daylight hours. Line up a crew in advance.
Roof snow
Snow or ice that slides off a building onto the sidewalk counts. Clear it inside the same deadline.
Left it in a lot too long
Vehicles still in designated snow lots after the removal time are ticketed and towed.
School lots
The city plans a Snow Permit pilot for school lots, with email notice when your car must move. Registration was not open in November 2026.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: Snow Emergencies & Parking; City of Lynn: 2015 snow removal ordinance amendment (DOCX)
Towed at 2 a.m.? What to do
- Go to the tow lot at 389 Blossom Street, the Lynn Ferry Terminal site.
- Expect a $150 ticket and a tow fee of $195 or $169 (the two city pages differ), plus $35 for each day the car is held.
- Each day you wait adds $35, so go the same morning if you can.
- To contest the ticket, request a hearing within 21 days through the city's online citation portal or in writing to the Administrative Hearing Officer.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Lynn: Snow Emergencies & Parking; City of Lynn Parking Department: Snow Emergencies
Lynn snow parking questions
How much does it cost to get a towed car back in Lynn?
A $150 ticket, $35 a day storage and a tow fee. The DPW snow page says the tow is $195 and the Parking Department page says $169, so expect $319 to $345 before storage and ask the city which fee applies.
Where can I park in Lynn during a snow ban?
In the designated city lots shown on the city's snow emergency lots map. Remove the car within two hours if the ban lifts before 9 p.m., or by 6 a.m. if it lifts later.
How do I get Lynn parking ban alerts?
Sign up for RAVE Mobile Safety through the Smart911 link on the city snow parking page. The city also turns on flashing blue lights at major intersections and posts on roadway message boards, its website and social media.
Can I park on the sidewalk in Lynn during a snow emergency?
No. No vehicle may park on a public street or sidewalk during a declared snow emergency.
Where is the Lynn tow lot?
389 Blossom Street, the Lynn Ferry Terminal site.
How long do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Lynn?
10 hours after sunrise or when snowfall ceases for a building with 6 or fewer residential units. 3 hours between sunrise and sunset for commercial, mixed-use and bigger buildings. The fines are $50, $100, then $300.
Do tenants have to shovel in Lynn?
The ordinance names the owner, manager or tenant of the building or land next to the sidewalk. Check your lease.
Is it illegal to shovel snow into the street in Lynn?
Yes. The ordinance bars depositing or dumping snow from your property or sidewalk onto city streets, with fines of $50, $100 and $300.
What is the Lynn Snow Permit pilot?
A program for school lots, announced by the city, that lets Lynn email residents when their car must be removed. Registration had not opened in November 2026.
What Lynn does not say
- The sidewalk rule is from the city's posted 2015 ordinance amendment. We did not rule out later amendments.
- No trash or recycling delay policy on the snow parking page.
- The DPW and Parking Department pages give different tow fees ($195 and $169). We show both.
How we checked: Read from the City of Lynn DPW and Parking Department snow pages and the city's posted snow removal ordinance on November 6, 2026. We leave a fact out when we cannot read it on an official page. Spot a change? Text us and we will re-check.
More from the Snow Day Book
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