Medford snow emergency and parking ban rules
Medford bans parking on a list of emergency arteries and limits every other street to one side. The city publishes its tow company, its fixed-side street exemptions and a three-step fine schedule for sidewalks.
Medford at a glance
- Who declares it
- The City, at its discretion, after watching the forecast
- Alerts
- Reverse 911 calls, emails and texts; sign up at medfordma.org/alerts
- Arteries
- No parking on any emergency artery, towed
- Side streets
- One side only. Winter 2026-27 begins in an even year, so the even side
- City lots
- Open in an emergency; car out by 7 a.m. the next morning
- Sidewalks
- 8 daylight hours after snow stops. $50, $100, then $200
- Tow company
- Stephen's Automotive Transport, 60 Union St, 781-396-8697
Storm day in Medford, in order
- BeforeSign up for alerts. Know your street's side.
- DeclaredReverse 911, homepage, media and social.
- DuringArteries banned. Others one side. Lots open.
- Next 7 a.m.Car out of the city lot.
- After8 daylight hours to clear the sidewalk.
How a Medford snow emergency is declared
A snow emergency may be declared at the City's discretion. City staff monitor the forecasts first. Medford then announces it by citywide Reverse 911 calls, emails and texts, on the city homepage, through local media and on social media. "Winter" means November through March or April.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies; Medford alerts sign-up
The parking rules in a declared emergency
No parking on any Emergency Artery for the whole emergency. Cars there are towed. Winter parking restrictions apply on all other roads, and all violators can be ticketed and towed. Permit parking is not enforced during a snow emergency.
Which side? The city says a winter that begins in an odd year means the odd side, and a winter that begins in an even year means the even side, unless your street is exempt. Winter 2026-27 begins in November 2026, so it is the even side. In November 2026 the exemption list on the city page still carried last winter's "odd year, 2025" line, so confirm there before you move the car.
Park as close to the curb as you can on narrow streets. Keep at least 12 feet of clear width for emergency and snow vehicles, and park at least 20 feet from a corner so plows can clear the crosswalk.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies
Emergency arteries: no parking
Cars on these streets during a declared snow emergency are towed.
- Boston Ave, Central Ave, College Ave (George St to Boston Ave), Forest St, Fulton St, George St, Governors Ave, Grove St
- Hadley Pl, Hancock St, Harvard Ave, Harvard St, High St, Lawrence Rd, Main St, Medford St
- Mystic Ave (Main St to Crescent St), Playstead Rd, Riverside Ave, Salem St, Spring St
- Washington St, Webster St, Willis Ave, Winthrop St, Woburn St
- State roads the city does not enforce, which follow state (DCR) rules: Fellsway, Fellsway West, Route 16 / Mystic Valley Parkway, Elm St, Highland Ave, South Border Rd, East Border Rd, Woodland Rd, Mystic River Rd
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies; DCR winter storm plan and priority map
Streets with a fixed side every year
The Traffic Commission gave these streets a permanent side. They do not flip with the year.
| Street | Where you park |
|---|---|
| Alexander Ave #117-145 | Odd side |
| Auburn St (High to Prescott) | Residence side |
| Bennett St, Bennett Pl, Gaston St, Maple Ave, Touro Ave | Odd side |
| Bow St #14-52 | Even side |
| Brooks Park | Residence side only |
| Hillsdale Rd (Osgood to Somerville line) | Odd side |
| Lookout Rd, Metcalf St | Even side |
| Newburn Ave #74-86 | Even side |
| Second St (Bradbury to Middlesex) | Residence side |
| Third St (Bradbury to Middlesex) | Park side |
| Wellesley St (Main to Dartmouth) | Even side |
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies
City lots
You may park in a city lot during a snow emergency. The car must be moved by 7 a.m. the morning after the storm. The snow page does not list which lots, so ask the city or read the alert for that storm.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies
Sidewalks: deadline, fines, ice
Residents must clear sidewalks within 8 daylight hours after snowfall, to at least 36 inches. Keep 36 inches clear around a hydrant on or next to the sidewalk. Do not shovel or throw snow into the street. Treat ice with calcium chloride or another suitable material, and address ice within 6 hours.
After a third offense within five years the DPW Commissioner may clear the snow and ice and charge the owner. The city may place a lien on the property for the cost.
| Offense | Fine |
|---|---|
| First | $50 |
| Second | $100 |
| Third and later | $200 |
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies
Edge cases
The plow buried my sidewalk
The city says whether snow comes from the storm, a plow or another source, it is still the resident's job to clear it. It asks you not to throw it into the street ($50 first time, $100 second).
Corner lots
Park at least 20 feet from a corner. The city also asks residents to clear corner openings, crosswalks and curb cuts so people can cross.
I have a driveway
Homes with a driveway, garage or other off-street parking may not park on the street longer than one hour between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Left it for two days
A car on a public way 48 consecutive hours without moving can be towed and fined. Do not leave it snowbound.
Saving a spot
Space savers are prohibited on Medford public ways. During emergencies the city says it will not have the resources to remove them.
Can't shovel
The city publishes a Snow Shovelers List. Elder Affairs: 781-396-6010. Payment is arranged directly with the shoveler.
Renters
The city page puts the sidewalk duty on residents and does not carve out renters. Check your lease and talk to your landlord before the first storm.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies
Towed at 2 a.m.? What to do
- Check the street for a No Parking sign and whether it is an emergency artery or the wrong side.
- Call the tow company the city lists: Stephen's Automotive Transport, 60 Union Street, 781-396-8697.
- Only Medford Police issue citations and order tows. For a complaint about a ticket or tow, email the Traffic Division at [email protected].
- The city asks you not to argue with tow company staff, the Parking Department or the Mayor's Office. They do not decide who is ticketed or towed.
- The city page does not publish a tow fee or storage rate. Ask when you call.
Source, checked November 2026: City of Medford: Snow Policies
Medford snow parking questions
Which side of the street do I park on in Medford in winter 2026-27?
The even side. The city says a winter that begins in an even year means the even side, unless your street has an exemption. Check the city snow page for the current list before the storm.
How do I get Medford snow emergency alerts?
Sign up at medfordma.org/alerts. The city sends Reverse 911 calls, emails and texts, and posts on its homepage and social media.
What are the emergency arteries in Medford?
Boston Ave, Central Ave, College Ave, Forest St, Fulton St, George St, Governors Ave, Grove St, Hadley Pl, Hancock St, Harvard Ave, Harvard St, High St, Lawrence Rd, Main St, Medford St, Mystic Ave, Playstead Rd, Riverside Ave, Salem St, Spring St, Washington St, Webster St, Willis Ave, Winthrop St and Woburn St. Some have limits, listed on this page.
How long do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Medford?
8 hours of daylight after the snow stops, to 36 inches wide. The fine is $50, then $100, then $200.
Where do I park in Medford during a snow emergency if I have no driveway?
On the allowed side of a secondary street, or in a city lot. A car in a city lot must be moved by 7 a.m. the morning after the storm.
Who tows cars in Medford during a snow emergency?
The city lists Stephen's Automotive Transport, 60 Union Street, Medford, 781-396-8697. Complaints go to the Medford Police Traffic Division.
Is permit parking enforced during a Medford snow emergency?
No. The city says permit parking restrictions are not enforced throughout a declared snow emergency.
Can I save my parking spot with a chair in Medford?
No. Space savers are prohibited on public ways in Medford.
What Medford does not say
- No tow fee or storage rate.
- No list of which city lots open in an emergency.
- No snow-day trash delay policy on the snow page.
How we checked: Read from the City of Medford snow page 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.