Winter parking ban officially kicks in for the season

The Halifax Regional Municipality's overnight winter parking ban has officially kicked in for the season.

It's only enforced between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. during declared weather events from Dec. 15 to March 31.

Like last year, the municipality has been split up into two zones.

• 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. 

This gives the HRM a little more flexibility on how the parking ban is enforced.

It can order a municipal wide parking ban, or only have it in effect/continued for Zone 1 or Zone 2, depending on the conditions.

“Sometimes, targeted snow removal in certain downtown areas is required,” HRM explained in a news release. “The creation of two zones enhances service delivery by implementing overnight winter parking bans that accommodate targeted snow removal.”

If you're not which zone you're in, you can search input your address here.

Those who sign up for hfxALERT will get notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios.

When snow removal crews are out, residents are asked to make sure vehicles aren't blocking sidewalks. Those hanging out of driveways or parked on the sidewalk risk being damaged by snow removal equipment and could also be ticketed.

Haligonians should also move any planters, lawn decorations, sports equipment and other portable objects away from sidewalks. Mark any permanent structures or objects too big to move with reflectors that will stick out above the snow so crews can spot them.

In addition to the overnight ban, vehicles can be towed at any time of day or night if they get in the way of snow clearing operations under the province's Motor Vehicle Act.

HRM suggest drivers ask themselves the following questions before walking away from their parked car:

• Is the overnight winter parking ban currently being enforced?
• Is your vehicle making the road impassable?
• Is your vehicle impeding snow operations in the area?

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

“The municipality does not want to ticket or tow — the objective is to keep vehicles off the streets to facilitate efficient and safe clearing,” HRM added. 

“This, in turn, ensures emergency vehicles, buses and other vehicles have proper access.”