Winter parking and snow rules in Madison

Alternate side parking, November 15 to March 15

From November 15 through March 15, Madison follows alternate side parking overnight, from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. The date decides the side: on odd-numbered dates, park on the side of the street with odd house numbers; on even dates, the even side. Most cul-de-sacs follow the rule too, apart from a few the city lists as exempt.

If you live in the Snow Emergency Zone (downtown and the isthmus, plus nearby neighborhoods such as Vilas, Regent, Dudgeon-Monroe, Tenney-Lapham, Marquette and Atwood), you only need to follow alternate side parking during a declared snow emergency.

Check the current season's approach. Last winter (2025–26) the city tried waiting to enforce alternate side parking until the first citywide plowing, and paused ticketing during long stretches without snow. The city hasn't yet said how 2026–27 will work, so check its winter parking page around November 15. The simplest way to stay current is the city's free text reminder, sent at 5 p.m. each day to tell you which side to park on.

Snow emergencies

The city usually declares a snow emergency when three or more inches of snow are on the roads, and always announces it before 9 p.m. on the night it takes effect. Emergencies usually last about two days and can be extended.

During a snow emergency, everyone follows alternate side parking, including people in the Snow Emergency Zone. If you need somewhere to park, city garages with gated, cashiered sections are free from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. (not the top level, not metered sections, and no more than 48 hours).

Sign up for snow emergency alerts by email or text on the city's winter parking pages, so you hear about it before you go to bed.

Fines and towing

Parking on the wrong side costs $20 on a normal night and $60 during a declared snow emergency. Towed cars carry a $115 towing fee on top of the fine, and go to Schmidt's Auto (608-257-0505). The city last updated these amounts in 2024, so check its fines page if you're contesting one.

Shovel your sidewalk by noon the next day

Property owners must clear their sidewalks by noon the day after the snow stops. That includes ice: if you can't remove it, cover it with sand, which the city gives out free. You're also responsible for clearing the curb ramps next to your property, whatever put the snow there.

The city doesn't give warnings. A first violation is a $134 fine and later ones are $197. If the sidewalk still isn't cleared when inspectors come back, city crews clear it and the cost is added to your property tax bill.

A few more rules: don't throw or blow snow into the street, keep salt for days above 15°F (the city can fine excessive salting), and leave at least three feet clear around fire hydrants so firefighters can reach them. On collection day, set trash and recycling carts in your driveway or a cleared spot on the terrace, not in the street.

Not around to shovel, or can't? A snow removal service can take it on for the season. Good providers fill their routes in the fall.

How plowing works

While it's still snowing, the city plows only its salt routes: about half the streets, covering major roads, bus routes and streets near schools, hospitals, and fire and police stations. Once a storm leaves more than three inches, crews plow every street, which takes about 12 to 16 hours. No neighborhood is assigned to be last.

To report an unplowed street or an unshoveled sidewalk, use the city's online Report a Problem forms. For other questions, call the Streets Division: East 608-246-4532, West 608-266-4681, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get the house ready too

Winter in Madison is easier with a little prep. Schedule a furnace tune-up before the first cold snap, know where your main water shutoff is in case a pipe freezes (a plumber can insulate exposed lines), and if you get ice dams every year, have a roofer look at attic ventilation and insulation. And if you're switching to winter tires, book a tire shop before the first big storm, when everyone else calls.