Snow removal
What is a snow emergency in Madison, and how is it different from alternate side parking?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 13, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
A declared snow emergency is a temporary parking order the City of Madison issues when it needs to plow all residential streets. Alternate side parking is the standing winter rule. From November 15 through March 15, you park overnight (1 a.m. to 7 a.m.) on the side of the street that matches the date: odd-numbered addresses on odd dates, even on even dates. If you park inside the Snow Emergency Zone (downtown, the isthmus and several named neighborhoods), you only have to follow alternate side parking during a declared emergency. During one, everyone citywide follows it. The City usually declares an emergency when three or more inches of snow are on the roads, announces it before 9 p.m., and it typically lasts about two days. It can happen outside the November to March season too. You can sign up for City text or email alerts, or call the winter parking hotline at 608-261-9111. This covers the City of Madison only. Source: City of Madison, Declared Snow Emergencies and Winter Parking Rules (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 13, 2026