Frequently Asked Questions

When the blue lights at traffic signals in downtown Northampton and Florence are flashing a snow emergency is in effect. That means no overnight on-street parking.

When the blue lights on the traffic signals in downtown Northampton or Florence are flashing, a winter parking ban is in effect, there is no on-street parking throughout Northampton from 12:01 a.m. - 6 a.m. (2 a.m. - 7 a.m. for Main Street). When a Snow Emergency is called, a city-wide parking ban goes into effect: overnight parking is prohibited on any street from 12:01 a.m. - 6 a.m., except downtown on Main Street where the prohibition is from 2 a.m. - 7 a.m. Snow Emergencies remain in effect until canceled and are often enforced for more than one night. The Winter Information Line is updated and 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 Street (near the Parking Garage) from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. If you park on a city street or in a city parking lot (except the Armory Street lot) your vehicle will be subject to ticketing and towing. This is a public safety issue. Parking bans can extend a few days, stay informed by calling the snow information line at 413-586-6969 or by signing up with Reverse-911 to receive email, text, or telephone updates.

Snow emergencies remain in effect until canceled and are often enforced for more than one night. The Winter Information Line is updated and alert emails are sent when the Snow emergency is cancelled. Sign up here to receive alerts and stay informed.

Overnight parking is available in the E.J. Gare Garage at all hours, on a space-available basis. There is a fee for overnight parking in the garage. During Winter Parking Bans, free overnight parking is available in the city parking lot on Armory Street (near the garage) from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. All cars must be moved by 8 a.m. and cannot return until 10 a.m. and moved again from 6 p.m. allowed to return at 8 p.m. for plow crews to clear that parking lot.

Occasionally mailboxes are damaged due to snowplowing operations. The Department of Public Works makes every effort to avoid damaging mailboxes but sometimes due to the amount of snow, the weight of the snow or ice, and the speed the plows need to travel, mailboxes are sometimes damaged. If you are unable to receive mail as a result go to your local Post Office and make arrangements for mail pick up. If your mailbox was damaged as a result of city snowplowing operations visit the City Clerk's Office website for information on filing a claim.

Winter sand is free for residents (two bucket maximum) and is available at the Department of Public Works, 125 Locust Street, on a self-serve basis any time the main Department of Public Works gates are open.

It is important for the health and safety of residents that sidewalks are cleared of snow within 24 hours from the end of a snow event. If you are responsible for a sidewalk on your property please clear the snow as soon as possible. Fines can be levied by the Police Department if snow is not cleared. Changes were recently made to the sidewalk snow removal ordinance, a link to the ordinance is available below.