New Parking Restrictions Facing Many Minnesota Drivers Next Week
Don't look now, but a slew of new restrictions are facing many drivers across Minnesota, with some starting as soon as next week.
It's often said that there are only two seasons in Minnesota: Winter and road construction, right? And while there are many road construction projects that are still underway across the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the calendar-- and Mother Nature-- are bearing down with seasonal parking restrictions that begin next week in many parts of the state.
While seasonal parking restrictions don't coincide with a specific calendar date in Minnesota's two biggest cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, many other municipalities DO restrict on-street parking, usually beginning in November.
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For instance, in Rochester, Minnesota's third-largest city, seasonal parking restrictions begin on November 1st each year-- which is next Wednesday-- when alternate side parking is in effect across the city. According to the city of Rochester's website, this means:
- Rochester's Alternate side parking requirements are in place city-wide from November 1 to April 1 from 2 am to 3 pm.
- Park your vehicle on the side of the street with EVEN house numbers when the calendar date is EVEN.
- Park your vehicle on the side of the street with ODD house numbers when the calendar date is ODD.
Additional Minnesota cities including St. Cloud and Winona also have seasonal parking restrictions that begin in November, with St. Cloud's taking effect on November 1st and Winona's beginning on November 15th. Both of those cities also implement a similar alternate side parking requirement during the winter months.
However, instead of implementing seasonal parking restrictions on a specific date, other Minnesota cities in addition to Minneapolis and St. Paul, wait for Old Man Winter to drop several inches of snow before declaring a snow emergency, which then restricts on-street parking in a similar alternate side manner.
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Duluth, Red Wing, Mankato, and Lake City are just some of the other Minnesota municipalities that have adopted a similar season parking plan that only goes into effect after a snow event takes place.
To make sure YOU don't get an unexpected parking ticket-- even if there's no snow on the ground yet-- it's always best to check with the municipality in which you'll be parking to check on specific seasonal parking restrictions.
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