Changes Are Coming to the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban

Nov 18 Update:

The Annual Winter Route Parking Ban has been declared and will start Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 2 a.m. Once in effect, the ban prohibits parking on designated routes between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m.

• Prior to parking overnight at any on-street location, look for Winter Route or Snow Route signs or search the address online to ensure you avoid a ticket and tow.
• You can NOT park on these streets overnight – SEE List of snow route streets

It’s important to note this parking ban does not fluctuate depending on current conditions. Overnight parking restrictions apply to designated routes whether it is snowing or not, and even if the street appears to have been cleared. This is because snow and ice control activities are ongoing throughout the winter months and crews can do a more efficient job if major routes are clear of vehicles overnight.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice. Its removal is dictated by weather conditions and will be done by declaration at the City’s discretion later in the season.

With winter fast-approaching, residents are advised of changes to the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban.

Effective this winter season, the Annual Snow Route Parking Ban is being replaced by the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban.

 The previous Annual Snow Route Parking Ban prohibited parking on designated streets between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. daily from December 1 until the last day of February. The dates for the ban did not change from year-to-year, regardless of weather conditions and without accounting for unseasonable weather such as an early start or a late end to the winter season.

While the new Annual Winter Route Parking Ban also applies between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. when in effect, there are several key differences:

• The ban may start for the season on or at any time after November 1 based on weather conditions
• We will provide seven days’ notice of the ban coming into effect
  • The earliest a ban could be declared is on October 24, if a ban were to start on November 1
• The ban will be lifted in the spring when it is no longer needed operationally, though it can remain in place until the end of April if required

On-street signage

On-street signage is currently being updated to display “Winter Route” rather than the current “Snow Route.” It’s anticipated that it will take crews several months to update all signs throughout the city.

If motorists encounter either sign this winter season, it means that parking is prohibited while the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban is in effect.

Motorists are urged to check streets for both “Winter Route” and “Snow Route” signs before they park overnight, as pictured below.

If unsure whether the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban applies to a specific location, motorists are urged to use City’s online address lookup tool, the Know Your Zone mobile app, our interactive Winter Route map, or contact 311.

It’s important that motorists not park overnight on designated routes to ensure rapid and efficient snow clearing operations on these critical routes so that emergency vehicles can safely navigate throughout the city.

Vehicles parked in contravention to the ban may receive a ticket and tow.

Additional parking bans

The Extended Winter Route Parking Ban further limits overnight parking on designated Winter Routes. The City will declare this ban when extra time is required to complete operations – most often after a major snowfall or when snow has accumulated to a high level.

When declared, this ban extends the Annual Winter Route Parking Ban by two hours, prohibiting vehicles from being parked on winter routes from midnight to 7 a.m.

More information

City urges motorists to stay informed on the City’s snow clearing operations. For comprehensive information and resources on the City’s snow clearing and ice control operations, including more information on winter parking bans, enforcement, and ways to stay informed about snow clearing operations, see: Snow – City of Winnipeg