Changes to Winter Alternate Side Parking

Changes:

Last winter, I received concerns from residents regarding tickets issued under the City's Alternate Side Winter Parking program. I found that parking policy is a complex topic that involves multiple factors. This year, we began developing a phased plan to test different enforcement methods and timelines. While implementing larger changes will require several winters, we are optimistic that some minor adjustments will provide us with enough data to make thoughtful decisions for further improvements.

As with any large system or organization, changes at the City take time to process. These issues have been discussed for some time, but planning adjustments that affect the entire City requires careful consideration and resources. I appreciate your patience during this process. Please review the information provided and feel free to reach out with any questions.

2025-2026 Season:

Beginning with the 2025-2026 winter season, the City will test a delayed enforcement model and expand public education efforts to help residents better understand parking requirements and improve compliance.

For this winter:

• Enforcement will begin only when the Street Superintendent declares the first general plowing operation or snow emergency.  A “general plow” is the term used when every street in the City of Madison is plowed curb-to-curb.
• Once activated, the Alternate Side Parking requirements will remain in effect until March 15, 2026. However, ticketing for alternate side violations may be paused during prolonged periods without snow or ice.
• The City will also evaluate enforcement timing to determine whether adjustments to the overall winter parking timeframe are appropriate in future years.

Continue here for more details.