Malden snow emergency and parking ban rules
Malden runs two sets of rules. A one-side-of-the-street rule starts with the first big storm and lasts to April 1. A snow emergency adds tow zones on the main arteries and opens free lots.
Malden at a glance
- Who declares it
- The City, with at least 4 hours notice before a snow emergency starts
- Alerts
- Malden Connect (text, phone, email). ReCollect app for trash changes
- Winter rule
- One side only, 24/7, from the first significant snowfall to April 1
- Emergency
- Main arteries ticketed and towed at the start. $25 ticket
- Free lots
- Schools plus two garages when announced. Out within 2 hours
- Sidewalks
- 24 hours for homes under 5 units, 12 hours for businesses and 5+ units
Storm day in Malden, in order
- First eventWinter rule starts: one side, 24/7.
- 4+ hours aheadSnow emergency announced.
- StartArteries ticketed and towed at once.
- EndLots: out within 2 hours.
- AfterSidewalk clock: 24 h home, 12 h business.
How Malden declares and announces it
Winter parking restrictions begin with the first storm the city rules significant enough to be the "First Winter Event." When forecasts call for significant snowfall, the City declares a Snow Emergency, announces the start at least four hours ahead and announces the end. A snow emergency can start before the first flake.
Malden Connect is the city's alert system. You choose text, phone or email. The city also posts on its website and answers questions on 311.
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Winter Parking; Malden: Winter Weather Central; Malden Connect sign-up
The one-side winter rule
Once enacted, parking is limited to one side of the street 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until April 1, regardless of the weather. The side rotates by year: odd years mean the odd-numbered side, even years the even-numbered side. The city's example: a season starting in 2018 means the same side as an even-numbered house.
In November 2026 the city page was still set to 2025/2026, the odd side. The city says the side "coincides with the year when the season starts," so a season starting in 2026 means the even side. Confirm on the city page or flyer once the first event is declared.
Streets restricted to one side all year keep that side. Some streets have an even-side exception. Cross Street (Bryand to Henry) and Cushing Road (Savin to Pine) allow both sides.
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Winter Parking; Malden: Winter Weather Central
During a snow emergency
Malden starts ticketing and towing cars on designated main arteries the moment the emergency begins. Vehicles must be gone before plowing starts. The ticket for a snow emergency violation is $25, payable to the city or appealed using the instructions on the back of the ticket.
If your car is towed, you pay the tow yard a fee if you retrieve it within 24 hours, and a daily storage fee after that. The city does not publish those amounts.
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Winter Parking
Free snow emergency lots
Malden opens these lots free for the length of the emergency. Vehicles must generally be moved within 2 hours after the declared end. Watch the city website, social media, 311 or the phone alert for the all-clear.
| Lot | Address |
|---|---|
| Beebe School | 401 Pleasant St |
| Forestdale School | 74 Sylvan St |
| Ferryway School | 150 Cross St |
| Linden STEAM Academy | 29 Wescott St |
| Early Learning Center | 257 Mountain Ave |
| Salemwood School | City page lists "529 Salemwood School" |
| Malden High School | Holden Street back lot. Do not use the Valley Forum rink lot, you will be towed |
| CBD Parking Garage | 170 Center St. Only when announced |
| Jackson Street Garage | 7 Jackson St. Only when announced |
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Snow Emergency Parking Locations
Sidewalk deadline and fines
The clock starts when the snow stops or when DPW declares the end of snow operations. Clear at least 36 inches. 42 is preferred. Report a property that is not complying through the city's 311 tool.
| Building | Deadline | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 units | 24 hours | Warning | $100 | $150 |
| Business or 5+ units | 12 hours | $100 | $200 | $300 |
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Snow and Ice Removal flyer (PDF); Malden: Winter Weather Central
Edge cases
Condos and apartment buildings
A building with five or more units is on the 12-hour deadline and the higher fine schedule. Condo boards and landlords should have a crew lined up before the storm.
Renters
The city's rule is on the property abutting the sidewalk. If your lease hands the job to you, the 24 hour clock for a small building runs from the end of snow or end of snow operations.
No driveway
The city tells residents with off-street parking to use it and asks everyone else to use the emergency lots.
Parked in a lot, now what?
You must monitor 311, the city Facebook page or the city website to know when to remove the car. The general rule is 2 hours after the declared end.
Trash day in a storm
Use the ReCollect app to get notices of trash and recycling schedule changes caused by winter weather.
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Snow and Ice Removal flyer (PDF); Malden: Winter Weather Central; Malden: Winter Parking; Malden: Snow Emergency Parking Locations
Towed at 2 a.m.? What to do
- Call the Malden Police. The city lists 781-322-1212 on its Winter Weather Central page and 781-397-7171 on its Winter Parking page. Try the first, then the second.
- They tell you which tow lot has your car. Malden uses tow lots around the city.
- Pay the tow yard. Fees are lower if you collect within 24 hours. Storage is charged per day after that.
- Pay or appeal the $25 ticket as printed on the back of the ticket.
- Questions about winter parking or towing: Malden Parking Department, 7 Jackson Street, 781-397-7196.
Source, checked November 2026: Malden: Winter Parking; Malden: Winter Weather Central
Malden snow parking questions
Which side of the street do I park on in Malden in winter 2026-27?
The even side, by the city's rule that the side follows the year the season starts. The 2025/2026 season was the odd side. Confirm on the city page when the first winter event is declared.
Where can I park in Malden during a snow emergency?
The city opens free emergency lots, mostly at schools, plus two garages when it announces them. Move the car within 2 hours of the declared end of the emergency.
How do I sign up for Malden snow alerts?
Register for Malden Connect on the city website for text, phone or email alerts. Use ReCollect for trash schedule changes.
How long do I have to shovel the sidewalk in Malden?
24 hours for a building under 5 units, 12 hours for a business or 5+ units, counted from the end of snow or the end of snow operations.
How much is the fine for not shoveling in Malden?
Under 5 units: a warning, then $100, then $150. Business or 5+ units: $100, $200, then $300.
How much is a Malden snow emergency parking ticket?
$25. If you are towed, you also pay the tow yard, and the city does not publish that fee.
When does Malden winter parking end?
April 1. The one-side rule runs 24 hours a day until then once it starts.
Is Malden trash pickup delayed after a snowstorm?
It can be. The city sends changes through the ReCollect app. It publishes no standing delay rule.
What Malden does not say
- No dollar amount for the tow or storage fee.
- In November 2026 the city page still showed the 2025/2026 side. The 2026/2027 side here comes from the city's year rule.
- No 2026/2027 list of exception streets yet. The posted list was for the 2025/2026 season.
How we checked: Read from the City of Malden website and snow flyer 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
Rather not shovel the driveway after the storm?
Reserve your Snow Pass. Pay the $100 deposit to reserve your season pass. Pass holders are plowed first once the snow stops.
Free: text me up to 48 hours before a storm, with my town's parking ban.
A season pass is 12 plows. See prices or pick your town.