As we welcomed winter with last week’s snowstorm, a number of people found themselves suddenly having to contend with Milwaukee’s snow emergency regulations rather suddenly, which caused some confusion.
In winter, Milwaukee’s parking rules shift to ensure streets stay clear and services can continue to operate smoothly. The information below outlines what you need to know about winter parking and what to expect during snow emergencies.
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Winter Parking
From December 1 to March 1, certain residential streets allow parking on only one side. These streets are marked with “No Parking” signs on one side of the street. To see the posted parking regulations for a specific location, enter the address in the city of Milwaukee’s Posted Street Parking Regulations tool.
During this winter period, alternate night parking is required from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless otherwise posted.
- On even-numbered calendar days (before midnight), vehicles with a valid night permit must park on the side of the street with even house numbers.
- On odd-numbered calendar days (before midnight) vehicles must park on the side with odd house numbers.
Parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. is allowed only with a valid permit or other night parking permission. Streets with exceptions to these rules can be found on the Exception Streets map.
No overnight parking is allowed on through highways and bus routes from December 1 to March 1. These streets are not individually posted; for a list of these streets, see Winter Parking Regulations – Not Individually Posted.
Some residential streets are marked “No Parking When Snow Falls 4 Inches or More.” Under normal conditions, parking is permitted on both sides of the street. However, once snowfall accumulates to 4 inches or more, parking is prohibited on the marked side of the street until snow removal is complete. To check whether a particular street is affected, refer to the Street Parking Regulations.
Snow Emergency Parking
Snow emergencies are declared when, within any 24-hour period, snowfall is determined by the Commissioner of Public Works to create a significant public safety hazard. This means that it disrupts transportation, delivery of essential goods like food and fuel, access to medical services, fire and police operations, and other essential city services.
The frequency of snow emergencies varies each year but can occur multiple times each season.
Once declared, a Snow Emergency remains in effect for 72 hours, unless the Commissioner ends it earlier when snow-removal operations are completed. The city may also post “Temporary No Parking” signs to support cleanup efforts.
During snow emergencies:
- Parking is prohibited on through highways and bus routes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Alternate side parking is required during these hours on all other streets.
Some Milwaukee Public Schools playgrounds offer overnight parking during snow emergencies, and city-owned lots are also available with a valid night parking permit. A list of schools and addresses providing this service can be found here.
If you you fail to comply with winter parking regulations during the season, you may receive the following fines:
- 1st offense: $50
- 2nd offense: $100
- 3 or more offenses: $150 and the vehicle may be towed.
Make sure to check the local news and the city website regularly so you know where to park on the street during the season.
