The City of Chelsea will continue to enforce its alternate side parking during snow emergencies policy for the 2026-2027 winter season, continuing a pilot program to determine whether it will become permanent in Chelsea.
Alternate side parking during a snow emergency means no parking is allowed on the even side of Chelsea’s emergency arteries in even years (now through December, 2026) and no parking is allowed on the odd side in odd years (beginning January 1, 2027)—and violators may be ticketed and towed. Previously, no parking was allowed on both sides of the street.
“We want to make it easier for residents to park before big snow storms, and see fewer vehicles ticketed and towed during snow parking bans,” said Cate Fox-Lent, Director of Chelsea’s Department of Public Works.
When a snow parking ban occurs, staff collect feedback from residents, snow plow operators, emergency vehicle drivers, business owners, and city employees, data about how many tickets are issued and vehicles are towed, and document any unique storm attributes and any factors that may skew data.
Last winter, Chelsea saw 61 inches of snow fall, but despite this, Chelsea Police Chief Chief Keith Houghton said, “there was a significant reduction in tickets issued and vehicles towed due to the implementation of alternate side parking during snow emergencies.”
According to Houghton, initial results were very positive for residents who find it difficult to locate alternative off-street parking during these emergencies.
“This past winter, there were fewer tickets issued and cars towed during snow parking bans, despite it being the 9th snowiest winter in the region’s history,” said Fox-Lent. “Because we saw so much snow, we cannot rely on last year’s data alone. Come this spring, we expect to have enough information to decide if alternate parking is for Chelsea.”
Under the new alternate side parking system:
During even-numbered years (2026), vehicles are not allowed to park on the even-numbered side of the street.
During odd-numbered years (2027), vehicles are not allowed to park on the odd-numbered side of the street
The policy only applies while a snow parking ban is in effect during a snow emergency.
Snow parking bans will continue to only apply to the city’s emergency arteries. For a list of these streets, visit www.chelseama.gov/snow.
The City will continue to make every effort to communicate snow parking bans through its Everbridge Emergency Alert system (www.chelseama.gov/signup); website www.chelseama.gov; social media pages (Facebook, X , and Instagram); and by activating blue lights that are installed in strategic locations.
The pilot program is led by the DPW in partnership with Chelsea’s Parking and Police Departments. DPW may conduct overnight snow removal operations to further clear roadways in the days following a storm. In those instances, temporary parking restrictions—affecting one or both sides of the street—will be clearly marked with posted “No Parking” signs.