Winnipeg, MB - With colder temperatures, snow and winter driving conditions on the way, the public is reminded to familiarize themselves with winter parking ban regulations that are put in place throughout the winter months.
For the purpose of snow clearing, the street system has been classified in three categories (PI, P2, P3).
- Priority 1 (P1) - Includes all Regional Streets; in addition, some streets around the Health Sciences Centre have been plowed as Priority I to facilitate ambulance access to the hospital
- Priority 2 (P2) - Non-regional bus routes and collector streets based on traffic counts and higher traffic streets in industrial areas
- Priority 3 (P3) - Residential and/or low traffic industrial streets
Citizens who live on a street designated as a residential street (P3) are reminded to visit knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca or call 311 to confirm their residential snow zone letter. The public is also encouraged to visit Winnipeg.ca in advance to register to receive email and Twitter notifications that provide automatic updates about winter parking bans.
Winnipeggers are also reminded to be aware not only of which snow zone letter has been assigned to their residential street, but also to know the zone letter of any residential streets where they might park when a Residential Parking Ban is in effect.
"This winter the City is asking for your help! Please find temporary alternative places to park when a Residential Parking Ban is in effect, as no one wants to see streets only partially cleared due to parked vehicles in the way," said Jim Berezowsky, Manager of the Streets Maintenance Division of Public Works. “The Know Your Zone system is aimed at improving snow clearing on residential streets, and by knowing their zone letter and when their zone is scheduled for snow clearing, residents can easily observe the 12-hour parking ban for their zone.”
Information about all winter parking bans, snow zones, and snow clearing schedules can be readily accessed using a variety of methods such as;
- Winnipeg.ca or Knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca websites
- Contact 311, open 24 hours every day, by phone at 311 or by email at 311@winnipeg.ca
- Download the new Winnipeg 311 App. For downloading instructions visit:Winnipeg.ca/winnipeg311app
WINTER PARKING BAN INFORMATION
There are two key winter parking bans that Winnipeggers need to know about:
The Annual Snow Route Parking Ban goes into effect from December 1 until March 1 annually on streets designated as Snow Routes. This parking ban is in place nightly between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., and vehicles parked in violation of the ban may get a $100 ticket ($50 if paid early).
The Residential Parking Ban is declared only when snow accumulations warrant the clearing of residential streets. When declared, the ban applies in 12-hour shifts, day and night, to designated snow zones across the city until clearing of residential streets is complete. All residential streets have been assigned a snow zone letter. Residents are urged to know their zone, so they know when to move their vehicle and to find a temporary alternative parking location, in order for residential streets to be cleared, unimpeded by cars parked in the way.
When a residential plowing operation is announced, the public will be able to access the residential snow clearing schedule daily. The schedule will indicate the snow zones that are scheduled for clearing and the parking ban that is currently in effect, along with which snow zones will be plowed for the next 12 hour shift. This information will also be displayed on a map showing those residential streets where the ban applies for the current and next shift.
Under the Winter Parking Ban By-law, vehicles parked in violation of the Residential Parking Ban may receive a $150 ticket ($75 if paid early), and may be towed out of the way of plowing equipment to a nearby street that is not scheduled to be plowed, or that has already been cleared. If their vehicle is towed, residents may call 311 to find the vehicle's location.