Winter Parking

The Winter Parking Ban is designed to keep streets open, safe, and essential traffic moving during snow storms. Residents are discouraged from parking on the street during any snow storm and are encouraged to plan ahead for alternative off-street parking.

Declared Winter Parking Ban for the City of Worcester will go into effect at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.

More than 40 trucks will be mobilized to treat the city’s streets. The parking ban is being implemented to allow safe and effective treatment of roadways, granting the trucks access down tight streets, and to help minimize interactions with private property.

All municipal parking garages will be free of charge to any vehicle that enters after 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, until the Declared Winter Parking Ban is lifted. In the case of parking for a special event, event rates apply.

Residents are asked to use one of the municipal garages listed below:

Federal Plaza Garage – 570 Main St.
Pearl & Elm Garage – 20 Pearl St.
Worcester Common Garage – 3 Eaton Place
Union Station Garage – 225 Franklin St.
Major Taylor Garage – 30 Major Taylor Blvd.

Sand pick-up and recycling drop-off will be available at 1065 Millbury St. Additionally, sand pick-up will be available at 22 Albany St. and 299 Clark St. prior to and following plowing operations.

During the Declared Winter Parking Ban, there is NO PARKING on either side of main arteries, bus routes, and streets in the downtown area. On all other streets, parking is only permitted on the odd numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted.

A Permanent Parking Ban remains in effect from December 1st through April 30th.

Winter Parking Ban

Please note some City streets have multiple parking bans. In other words, a City street may be separated into multiple sections with each section having a different parking ban zone and type.

Online Mapping Tool

Our online mapping tool helps residents understand where and how the Winter Parking Ban applies. If you are required to move your vehicle during a parking ban, the mapping tool will allow you to view nearby streets that may offer better parking solutions. Please continue to follow all applicable parking rules and regulations for the City of Worcester.

Winter Parking Ban Viewer

Stay Up-To-Date

Worcester 311 is the official source for up-to-date information on the winter parking ban, parking regulations on your street and snow complaints.

For the latest updates on the winter parking ban:

Winter Parking Rules

Winter parking bans on public streets fall under two categories, PERMANENT and DECLARED.

A PERMANENT BAN remains in effect from December 1st through April 30th on Emergency Arteries, WRTA Bus Routes, and streets that are critical to the flow of traffic. There is no parking on one or both sides of the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. and anytime a snow emergency is declared.

A DECLARED BAN is put into effect on all remaining city streets whenever accumulating snow is forecast. When a Declared Ban is in effect, restrictions apply that typically allow parking on one side of the street.

Enforcement

Illegally parked vehicles are the biggest obstacle to effective snow removal efforts. Vehicles that violate the winter parking ban or otherwise hinder snow removal will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. Please support our efforts by parking your vehicle in conformance with the winter parking ban.