HRM designates two different zones for this season’s overnight winter parking ban

The Halifax Regional Municipality is making a change to its overnight winter parking ban.

It will still be enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events from Dec. 15 to March 31, but this year the area of enforcement is being split 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 will give the HRM a little more flexibility on how it's 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.

“In previous winter seasons, targeted snow removal in certain downtown areas was required although the overnight winter parking ban was not enforced,” HRM officials explained in a news release.

“The change to create two zones will improve service delivery by leveraging overnight winter parking bans that can accommodate more targeted snow removal.”

You can find out what zone you're in by entering 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 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 parking ban currently being enforced?
• Is your car causing a safety issue?
• Is it making the road impassable?
• Is it impeding snow operations underway in the area? 

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