Winter Parking Ban Starts Tonight After Midnight

The winter ban on parking goes into effect tonight at midnight, prohibiting motor vehicles from parking on roadways between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. through March 30. 

The only vehicles allowed at the roadside during these hours are those with valid winter parking stickers known as waivers.

Those who do not have adequate off street parking available can apply for a parking waiver at the Station, 86 Burrill St.

In extenuating circumstances — say a resident has an overnight guest but no parking available  — residents can call the police station, 781-595-1111, and ask for permission to park on the street overnight, Swampscott police Lt. Tom Stephens said in an interview.

"We have a lot of flexibility," he said.

That flexibility, however, does not extend to nights when snow emergencies are in effect.

Blue lights throughout town flash when a snow emergency is in place. All parked vehicles must be off the street when the blue lights flash.

Some residents question why the town has a winter parking ban on nights when no snow or ice is predicted.

Assistant Town Administrator Dave Castellarin, who also sits on the town Traffic Study Committee, said the winter parking ban has been in place for years.

The rationale for it includes consistency and safety, he said.

The ban leaves no question that cars have to be off the street at night in a climate known for unpredictability, he said.

Clear roads in a town with narrow and curvy streets are essential for plows and sanders to do their job, Castellarin said.

If residents want the parking ban by-law changed, they should contact selectmen, he said.

If the Board of Selectmen want to consider a change they typically ask the Traffic Study Committee to study the question and return to the board with a recommendation.

In the meantime, according to police, all vehicles will be issued parking violations based upon the following conditions: 

1. The absence of a parking waiver sticker ($20)
2. Vehicle parked on the street despite forecasted snowfall, regardless of being issued a sticker ($25).
3. Vehicle parked on the street during a snow emergency and/or impeding snow removal ($50). 

Interested parties may pick up applications and guidelines at the Swampscott Police Department or online at www.swampscottpolice.com. 

There is a $30 non-refundable fee per motor vehicle for the application. 

Checks or money orders only are to be made payable to the Town of Swampscott.

A copy of the registration for each vehicle at the residence must be submitted with the application.