Snow Emergencies in Minneapolis/St. Paul - Know The Rules

The first snow emergency of the winter takes many of us by surprise, and hundreds if not thousands of oblivious motorists have their cars towed by the city because they didn't realize there was a snow emergency, or didn't know what the parking rules during a snow emergency were.

If you park on the street, find out what the snow plow rules are for your city, and how to find out when a snow emergency has been called.

Minneapolis and St. Paul both have a complicated set of rules that are different in each city that involve not parking where the city plans to plow. Cities in the suburbs usually have a simpler system that may prohibit all street parking once a certain amount of snow has fallen, or ban street parking overnight all winter.

As well as knowing the snow emergency parking rules, you'll also want to know how to find out if a snow emergency has been called if your city. It's not universal - it's up to the individual city as to when to call a snow emergency.

Minneapolis and St. Paul both have automated systems to notify residents by text message and email, but even if you are signed up for notifications, it's prudent to keep a check on the city's website when the snow is falling so you are not taken unawares.

All about snow emergencies in Minneapolis

All about snow emergencies in St. Paul

Snow emergency rules for other cities in the Twin Cities metro area

Your city not on the list? Visit your city's website, usually www.ci.<your city's name>.mn.us and snow plowing information is usually listed under public works.