Call the Winter Info Line at 586-6969 for prerecorded information about parking bans, school and business closings. Sign up for an email alert when a parking ban is called by entering your email address on the City's home page (www.northamptonma.gov) and choosing DPW Alerts.


What are the Winter Parking Rules?
When a Snow Emergency is called, a City-wide parking ban goes into effect: overnight parking is prohibited on any street from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) until 6:00 a.m., except downtown on Main St. where the prohibition is from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Snow Emergencies remain in effect until canceled and are typically enforced for more than one night. The Winter Info Line is updated and cancellation Alert emails are sent when the Snow Emergency is canceled.

Overnight parking is available in the John E. Gare garage at all hours on a space-available basis. There is a fee for overnight parking in the garage. Free overnight parking is available in the city parking lot on Armory St (near the Parking Garage) from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

During the hours the parking ban is in effect violators will be subject to ticketing and towing. This is a public safety issue.


How do I know if there's a Snow Emergency?
The City of Northampton provides this information to the local press (Gazette, Union News, WHMP, Channels 15, 22, and 40). It is also available 24 hours a day on the Winter Info line at 586-6969.

You can also subscribe to the DPW Alert email system. You will receive email notification of snow emergencies and parking bans. To subscribe, go to our Alert Email web page


What do I do if my car was towed?
If you believe your car was towed, call Northampton Dispatch at 587-1100. They can let you know where your car is and whom to call to get it back. Please do not call the Department of Public Works. They cannot help you find your car.

Towing company fees are set by the State, usually around $100, payable to that company. The City does not receive towing fees. There will, however, be a $25 parking ticket. You do NOT want to get towed.


My street was already plowed. Why was my car towed?
Snow clearing and removal is a multi-step process. The Department of Public Works plows City streets during a winter storm, focusing on major roads. Depending on conditions, sanding and salting might also be necessary. On the second day, they focus on clean-up of those major roads and move into the secondary roads.

Snow removal may begin on the third or fourth day. (Sometimes, crews that have been working overtime through the storm for two days are given the third day off.) When snow removal begins, there is usually a selective parking ban so that the DPW can remove excess snow from roadsides to facilitate emergency vehicle traffic.


CALL THE WINTER INFO LINE at 586-6969 even if your street looks clear! Don't Get Towed When It Snows!

Northampton Dispatch: 587-1100
If you think your car has been towed.

Dept. of Public Works: 587-1570 (weekdays 8:30 - 4:30)
If your street urgently needs plowing or sanding.