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Madison winter parking and snow emergencies
Most Madison street tows in winter come from two rules in the same ordinance: alternate-side parking at night from November 15 to March 15, and declared snow emergencies. The ordinance has not changed, but the City has been changing how it enforces it.
General information, not legal advice. The papers you got from the police, the tow company, the storage lot or a state agency control your dates. Agencies change phone numbers and steps, so check the agency's own page too.
1. Alternate-side parking
From November 15 to March 15, between 1:00 and 7:00 a.m., cars park on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered dates and on the odd-numbered side on odd-numbered dates, unless signs say otherwise. A street with a median counts as one street (Madison General Ordinances § 12.1335(1)).
- Blocks where parking is banned on one side at all times are excepted, as are Jenifer Street between Williamson Street and South Baldwin Street and a list of circles and courts (§ 12.1335(5)).
Sources: Madison General Ordinances § 12.1335 (Municode); Winter Parking Rules (City of Madison)
2. The Snow Emergency Zone and declared snow emergencies
Inside the Snow Emergency Zone (the downtown isthmus and nearby neighborhoods), the alternate-side rule applies only during a declared snow emergency (§ 12.1335(2)). A snow emergency is declared through the media, lasts 48 hours unless a second declaration extends it, applies to the whole city, and can happen outside November 15 to March 15 (§ 12.1335(4)).
The City says it declares a snow emergency before 9:00 p.m. on the night it takes effect, usually when there are three or more inches of snow, and offers email and text alerts. During one, City-operated garages with gated sections are free from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Sources: Madison General Ordinances § 12.1335 (Municode); Declared Snow Emergencies (City of Madison)
3. Fines and towing
The City's page says the fine is $20 when there is no snow emergency and $60 during one, and a towed car adds a $115 towing fee plus the fine. The $115 is the City's towing charge forfeiture for a lawful City tow (§ 12.1331(3)); the tow company's own charges come on top. City tows go to Schmidt's Towing (608-257-0505); the City's towed-vehicle page says to call 608-266-4170 before pickup and arrive before 3:30 p.m.
- A ticket issued in error can be sent for online review within ten days of when it was issued; a court date is set by calling Court Services at 608-266-4170, and parking court is Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. by appointment.
Sources: Winter parking fines and towing (City of Madison); Towed Vehicles (Madison Police); Citation Payment Methods (City of Madison)
4. What changed in 2025-26, and what is still open for 2026-27
For winter 2025-26 the City tested starting enforcement only with the first general plow or snow emergency, with ticketing that could pause during dry spells, and it enforced posted daytime street-maintenance restrictions after snow events, which may include towing. A large snowfall in late November 2025 started enforcement early.
As of October 12, 2026, the City had not published its enforcement rules for winter 2026-27. Its project page lists a possible Phase 2 in which alternate-side parking would apply only during general plow or snow emergency events, and a new notification system. This guide will be checked again in November 2026.
Sources: Alternate Side Parking Program Updates (City of Madison)
Last checked .