Think Before You Park

When and where you park in the winter can have a big impact on clearing streets and sidewalks.

The overnight winter parking ban is in effect every year from Dec. 15 until Mar. 31.; however, it is only enforced during declared weather events and clearing operations. When the ban is enforced, it restricts any on-street parking between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. 

Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed any time during the day or night, any day of the year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.

The municipality has enhanced enforcement in areas around hospitals and schools, bus routes and problem streets for snow equipment and emergency vehicles.

If possible, consider leaving your car at home. If you need your vehicle, plan ahead and make arrangements for off-street parking when the parking ban is enforced or bad weather is forecasted.

To help avoid a ticket, as well as the inconvenience and cost of being towed, residents should ask themselves these four questions when considering parking on the street this winter:

  1. Is the overnight parking ban currently being enforced?
  2. Is your vehicle causing a safety issue?
  3. Is it making the road impassable?
  4. Is it impeding snow operations underway in the area?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, do not park on the street.

Overnight winter parking ban zones

The municipality may implement two zones for the overnight winter parking ban: Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central

Zone 1 – Central refers to the Halifax Peninsula and downtown Dartmouth within Highway 111 (the Circumferential Highway) and some surrounding areas.

Zone 2 – Non-Central is a designated area outside of Zone 1 – Central

It’s important to note that with the introduction of the two zones, the following parking ban scenarios may occur during, or following, a declared weather event: 

•    Municipal overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted (both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central)
•    Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted 
•    Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted 
•    Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 2 – Non-Central 
•    Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 1 – Central

Residents are able to determine which zone they’re in by searching their address using the interactive tool available here or via the map below.

Overnight winter parking bans will continue to be communicated to residents via public service announcementshfxALERThalifax.ca and @hfxgov on Twitter. Residents who are signed up for hfxALERT will continue to receive notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios. 

Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed, day or night, at any time of year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.

Stay informed

Overnight winter parking bans will continue to be communicated to residents via public service announcements, hfxALERT, halifax.ca and @hfxgov on X. Residents who are signed up for hfxALERT will continue to receive notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios. 

Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed any time during the day or night, any day of the year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.

Know your options

HfxRideMatch.ca is a free online service which is supported by the municipality and administered by RideShark. This ride-matching system allows commuters to quickly and securely find carpool partners. By registering, you can find people who are interested in carpooling to work, taking transit, biking and/or walking together or sharing parking spaces.

Please think before you park this winter. It will help make the season a little easier on everyone.