When Boston declares a snow emergency, parking is banned on both sides of every posted “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” artery, and cars left there are ticketed and towed. If yours is gone, check the city plate lookup at cityofboston.gov/towing/search first, because a snow-route tow inside city limits lands at the city lot, 200 Frontage Road. Move quickly, because storage runs by the day.
Why snow-emergency parking is different
A declared snow emergency overrides your normal parking habits, including a resident permit. Resident permits are zone-specific and free, but they do not override snow emergency, street cleaning, or meters. The ban exists so plows can clear the full width of the main streets.
The rule is strict on the arteries. On any street posted with a “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” sign, parking is banned on both sides for the duration. Posted arteries across the city include Commonwealth Avenue, Tremont, Washington, Broadway, Beacon Street, Massachusetts Avenue, and Blue Hill Avenue, among others. On non-artery streets that are not posted, you still cannot park within 20 feet of an intersection or more than one foot from the curb.
Where to move your car before it is towed
The city opens discounted resident parking at some garages during a snow emergency, which is the safest option if you park on a posted route. Watch the city announcements when snow is forecast, because the emergency has a start time and an end time and both are published.
This region takes snow seriously for a reason. The winter of 2014 to 2015 dropped 110.6 inches, the snowiest on record, with 64.8 inches in February 2015 alone. On the hilly streets of Jamaica Plain and Mission Hill, a car left on an artery does not just risk a tow, it can block the only plow route in.
If your car was already towed
Start with the plate lookup at cityofboston.gov/towing/search, which covers the past 15 days. A snow-route tow inside Boston goes to 200 Frontage Road, staffed Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM, with kiosks running at all hours. If you do not know your plate, call the tow lot at 617-635-3900 or the Boston Police tow line at 617-343-4629.
Bring all four documents: a valid driver’s license, your plate number, proof of active registration, and proof of insurance. The city tow fee is $90, storage is $3 per hour up to $15 per day, and a card adds a 2.5% fee. In a suburb, the tow instead follows the state DPU rates, and Somerville, for example, issues a claim check at its police station on Washington Street.
Avoiding the next one
Sign up for the city’s snow emergency alerts so you get the start time before the plows roll. Learn which of your nearby streets are posted arteries, and identify the discounted garage closest to you now, not during the storm. If you rely on street parking on a posted route, moving the car the night before is far cheaper than a $90 tow plus storage and a lost morning.
Frequently asked questions
Does my resident permit protect me during a snow emergency? No. Resident permits do not override a snow emergency, street cleaning, or meters. On a posted artery, parking is banned on both sides regardless of your permit.
Which streets get towed first in a snow emergency? Any street posted with a “Tow Zone No Parking During Snow Emergency” sign, on both sides. Major posted arteries include Commonwealth Avenue, Tremont, Washington, Broadway, Beacon Street, Mass Avenue, and Blue Hill Avenue.
Where does my car go if it is towed in a Boston snow emergency? Inside Boston, to the city lot at 200 Frontage Road. Check cityofboston.gov/towing/search to confirm before you travel.
How much does it cost to get it back? The city tow fee is $90, plus storage of $3 per hour up to $15 per day. A card payment adds a 2.5% processing fee.
When to call us
Call when the car is out of the lot but will not start after sitting in the cold, or when it broke down in the storm and needs a local operator. Quick Tow Boston connects drivers with independent operators across Greater Boston, with the price quoted before dispatch. Calls are recorded after a notice. Reach the dispatch line at (857) 858-5057.