Stoneham snow emergency and parking ban rules
Stoneham has a standing overnight winter parking ban from December 1, and a parking emergency whenever 3 inches of snow accumulate. The rule is on a timer, not a declaration.
Stoneham at a glance
- Winter rule
- No street parking 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., December 1 to April 1
- Parking emergency
- When 3 inches or more accumulate: no on-street parking at any time
- Sidewalks
- Never park on a sidewalk
- Towing
- The DPW Director can have interfering cars moved at the owner's cost
- Alerts
- Community Alerts by voice, text and email through Smart911
- DPW
- 781-438-0760
Storm day in Stoneham, in order
- Dec 1Overnight ban starts, 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
- 3 inchesParking emergency. No street parking at all.
- DuringDPW may move cars that interfere.
- AfterDo not put snow on the sidewalk or street.
- Apr 1Overnight ban ends.
The winter parking rules
Winter parking regulations take effect December 1. No parking is permitted on public streets between 1 and 6 a.m. until April 1. When 3 inches of snow or more accumulates, a parking emergency exists and on-street parking is not allowed at any time. During snow operations and emergencies, parking in the public right of way is prohibited at all times.
The Stoneham Police Department issues the reminder each year. The town says these rules exist to facilitate snow and ice control. The DPW page asks residents to avoid parking on the streets during all plowing. Cars that stay can be plowed in, damaged, ticketed and towed.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham: Winter Parking Regulations; Stoneham DPW: Snow Plowing
Parking on the sidewalk
The town reminds residents that parking is not permitted on sidewalks at any time. It calls out the winter habit of moving a car onto the sidewalk to comply with the street ban. That is illegal and dangerous for pedestrians.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham: Winter Parking Regulations
Towing
For plowing or removing snow or ice, the Director of Public Works may remove or cause to be removed to a public garage or other convenient place any vehicle on a street, parking area or town land that interferes with the work. The storage charges and other costs of removal are paid by the owner of the vehicle.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham: Winter Parking Regulations
Snow on the sidewalk and street: the fine
It is illegal to deposit snow on the sidewalk and streets. The general bylaw fine is up to $200. The property owner is responsible, even if a contractor hired by the owner, or the tenant, did it.
That matters if you hire a plow company. A contractor pushing snow across the street is your fine, not theirs.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham DPW: Snow Plowing; Stoneham town code, Chapter 13, Sec. 13-11 and 13-12 (PDF, 05/2025)
Downtown sidewalks: the one shoveling deadline
The town code sets a sidewalk deadline only for buildings on listed downtown frontages. The tenant or occupant, or the owner if nobody occupies it, must clear the abutting sidewalk within five hours if the snow stops in the daytime, or by 1 p.m. the next day if it stops at night.
Outside these frontages the code sets no deadline, but Sec. 13-12 still bars anyone on any public way from pushing snow onto the sidewalk or street.
- Central Square, all sides
- Franklin Street: north side from Fuller Street to Central Square, south side from Spencer Street to Central Square
- Main Street: stretches between Marble, Benton, Maple, Church and Hersam streets and Montvale Avenue, plus all sides from North Street to Marble Street
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham town code, Chapter 13, Sec. 13-11 and 13-12 (PDF, 05/2025)
Alerts
Sign up for Community Alerts on the town's Stay Connected page. They come by voice, email or text through Smart911 and cover emergency notices, road closures and trash pick-up delays. Text STOP to 781-868-9995 to end the texts.
The same page has Notify Me, which emails you when the town updates its website alert center, calendar or news items.
The overnight ban runs on the calendar and the 3-inch emergency starts on its own, so do not wait for an alert to move the car.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham: Stay Connected (Community Alerts and Notify Me); Stoneham: Winter Parking Regulations
How Stoneham plows and who to call
Public Works plows about 85 miles of streets and about 30 miles of sidewalks in the school and business district. It sands and salts before and after storms. The order: main roads and Chapter 90 roads first, then residential streets.
Street not plowed yet? If it is not an emergency, be patient. In an emergency call Public Works at 781-438-0760. Medical emergency: 911. The DPW is at 16 Pine Street.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham DPW: Snow Plowing; Stoneham DPW: Snow & Ice FAQs; Stoneham: Snow & Ice Department
Edge cases
Hydrant in front of my house
The property owner keeps it clear. Public Works does not shovel out hydrants.
Free sand and salt
A sand and salt mix is usually available in front of the Stevens Street Recycling Center. One bucket per resident.
Renters
The town holds the property owner responsible for snow thrown onto the sidewalk or street, even by a tenant. If you rent, talk to your landlord about who handles it.
Plow left a windrow across my driveway
The town says its sidewalk plows sometimes leave one across a shoveled driveway. Keeping shoveled and plowed snow off the paved sidewalk reduces what the sidewalk plow deposits.
Condos
Same rule: the owner of the property is responsible for snow deposited on the sidewalk or street. Ask your condo board who contracts the plow.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham DPW: Snow & Ice FAQs; Stoneham DPW: Snow Plowing
Moved or towed at 2 a.m.? What to do
- The parking rule applies 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. from December 1, snow or no snow.
- The town gives the Director of Public Works the power to move cars that block plowing. Call Public Works at 781-438-0760. The office line is staffed 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- The town pages do not publish a tow company, tow fee or fine for parking.
Source, checked November 2026: Stoneham: Winter Parking Regulations; Stoneham DPW: Highway FAQs
Stoneham snow parking questions
Is there overnight parking on the street in Stoneham in winter?
No. From December 1 to April 1 there is no parking on public streets between 1 and 6 a.m.
When is a snow parking emergency in effect in Stoneham?
When 3 inches of snow or more accumulates. On-street parking is then not allowed at any time.
Can I park on the sidewalk in Stoneham when it snows?
No. Parking on sidewalks is never allowed.
Can Stoneham tow my car for snow plowing?
Yes. The DPW Director can move a vehicle that interferes with plowing, at the owner's cost.
What is the fine for putting snow on a Stoneham street or sidewalk?
Up to $200 under the general bylaw. The owner is responsible, even if a contractor or tenant did it.
Do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Stoneham?
Only on the listed downtown frontages (Central Square and parts of Franklin and Main streets): within five hours if snow stops in the daytime, or by 1 p.m. the next day. Everywhere, you may not push snow onto the sidewalk or street, with a fine of up to $200.
Who shovels the fire hydrant in front of my Stoneham house?
The property owner. Public Works does not shovel out hydrants.
Where can I get sand in Stoneham?
A sand and salt mix is usually available in front of the Stevens Street Recycling Center. Limit one bucket.
What Stoneham does not say
- No sidewalk clearing deadline for homes off the listed downtown streets.
- No tow company, tow fee or parking fine on the pages we read.
- No list of lots where residents may park during the ban.
How we checked: Read from the Town of Stoneham website 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.