**** HRM Media Release.
Municipality Lifts Enforcement of Overnight Winter Parking Ban
The Halifax Regional Municipality has lifted enforcement of the overnight winter parking ban until further notice.
Snow Clearing Update
The majority of main arterials are clear and passable, however, black ice may be present in some areas. Residents are reminded to reduce their speed.
The overnight winter parking ban is in effect from now until March 31, 2020. However, residents are reminded that Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act states tickets can be issued and vehicles can be towed any time, day or night, if they are parked in a manner that interferes with snow clearing.
To help avoid a ticket, and the hassle and costs of being towed, residents should ask themselves these four questions when considering parking on the street this winter:
- 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, do not park on the street. The municipality doesn’t want to ticket or tow — the objective is to keep vehicles off the streets to facilitate efficient and safe clearing. This, in turn, ensures emergency vehicles, buses, and other traffic have proper access.
Think before you park this winter — it will help make the season a little easier for everyone.
For more information on municipal winter operations, please visit www.halifax.ca/snow.
******
Overnight Parking Ban will be enforced 1-6 a.m., Monday, Jan. 6
Please be advised that the municipal overnight winter parking ban will be enforced overnight from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to properly clear the streets and sidewalks.
Vehicles must be off municipal streets during the hours noted above. Residents are also reminded that in addition to the overnight parking ban, Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act states that tickets can be issued and vehicles can be towed any time, day or night, if they are parked in a manner that interferes with snow clearing.
Planters, lawn decorations and any other portable objects near the sidewalk should be removed before the winter. Items like sports equipment that may still be used should be safely stored when bad weather is in the forecast. Any permanent structures or objects too big to move should be marked with a reflector that will be visible above the snow to help crews identify obstacles.
Officers will be ticketing vehicles obstructing sidewalk clearing. Vehicles hanging out of a driveway or parked on the sidewalk are prone to damage and become a dangerous obstacle for crews. Such obstacles prevent crews from clearing the sidewalks properly, which can quickly become an accessibility issue for pedestrians, including seniors, people with mobility issues and parents pushing strollers.
Important reminder to all property owners: Never clear snow from your property onto the street or sidewalk. Property owners must ensure the snow they clear is piled on their own property. It is against By-Law S-300 to throw or pile snow in the street or on the sidewalk. This is a serious problem that can cause safety issues for pedestrians and other users as it complicates clearing for crews. The municipality has enforcement in place to address non-compliance with the By-Law.
The overnight winter parking ban is in effect from now until Mar. 31, 2020. The easiest way to stay informed is to register for automated notifications by signing up online, checking Halifax.ca for updates, or by calling 311. Subscribers will receive timely alerts by phone, email, and/or text message when the ban is in effect and again when it is lifted. Standard text messaging rates apply.
Think before you park this winter – it will help make the season a little easier on everyone.
For more information on municipal winter operations, please visit www.halifax.ca/snow.