Saint Paul Declares Special Winter Alternate Side Parking Rules in Two Pilot Areas

Saint Paul, MN (December 30) - The City of Saint Paul is continuing its efforts to explore new ways to manage citywide snow operations. Saint Paul Public Works is piloting a second year of weekly alternate side parking strategies in two small neighborhoods near Snelling Avenue and University Avenue, as well as Dale Street and Selby Avenue. This is part of Public Works' ongoing efforts to identify a new snow operations model that aims to improve compliance and keep all streets safe and passable during the winter months.

The pilots begin on Sunday, January 4, and continue through Saturday, April 11. All vehicles in the pilot neighborhoods will have to park according to the weekly alternating side schedule.

"This winter season we have already declared three Snow Emergencies," said Sean Kershaw, Director of Saint Paul Public Works. "The continuing challenge with the current Snow Emergency model is that depending on the timing of the snowfall it could be more than a day until we are focusing efforts only on residential streets. We have experienced this challenge with at least two of the Snow Emergencies this year. An alternate side parking model would always have an open side of the street which would allow our crews to get into side streets earlier and at anytime. An added bonus is that residents would not need to move their cars."

Building on the initial two small pilot areas from last season, which were located in Highland Park and Payne-Phalen neighborhoods, this year's pilots intentionally focus the city's efforts on residential side streets. These designated pilot areas challenge the alternate side parking model by adding more high-density on-street parking needs, increased number of multi-unit properties, current one-sided parking rules, a residential parking permit area, various existing parking rules (e.g. 1 or 2 hour parking), and adjacent location to vibrant business corridors.

Saint Paul strives to be more innovative and responsive to the some of the changes and challenges with our current snow operations and to better meet resident expectations, including:

• Keeping all streets safe and passable for emergency vehicles at all times throughout the winter months
• Performing additional plowing efforts on residential side streets throughout the winter months without adding significant additional staff or equipment
• Adjusting to changing winter weather conditions that include an increase of rain/freezing rain and larger temperature swings throughout the winter which can create more ice
• Addressing compliance to Snow Emergency parking rules and necessary citywide enforcement efforts

Pilot Details & Schedule

Within the designated pilot areas, all vehicles must adhere to the weekly alternate side parking rules. During the "even" weeks, vehicles must park on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses (typically located on the south and east sides of the streets). During the "odd" weeks, vehicles must park on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses (typically located on the north and west sides of the streets). Sundays are the "changeover" days. Within the pilot areas, each Sunday between 3-9 p.m., people must move their cars to the other side of the street.

Detailed alternate side parking maps for odd and even weeks pilot areas can be found online at www.stpaul.gov/NewSnow.

One potential advantage of a weekly alternate one-sided parking cycle is that it keeps at least two-thirds of a residential street open at all times. This provides better access for all emergency vehicles and allows Public Works to more regularly access and plow residential streets throughout the winter, compared to just 24 hours when a Snow Emergency is declared.

Snelling-University Pilot Area

The "Snelling-University" neighborhood pilot area boundaries are Thomas Avenue to the north, Snelling Avenue to the east, St. Anthony/I-94 to the south, and Aldine Street to the west.

Please note that both Snelling Avenue and University Avenue will NOT be included in the pilot.

Selby-Dale Pilot Area

The "Selby-Dale" neighborhood pilot area boundaries are Selby Avenue to the north, Western Avenue to the east, Summit Avenue to the south, and Dale Street to the west.

Please note that both Selby Avenue and Dale Street will NOT be included in the pilot.

Education & Enforcement of the Pilot Areas

The perimeter of both pilot areas will be signed, and informational flyers will be put on vehicles throughout the pilot period.

January 4-16: Education Phase

• Vehicles parked in the pilot area will receive informational flyers and maps to explain the alternate side parking rules

January 17-April 11: Enforcement Phase

• Vehicles parked in the pilot area will receive informational flyers and maps to explain the alternate side parking rules
• City will ticket - and tow if necessary - any vehicles in the pilot area that are not parked according to the alternate side parking rules

If a Snow Emergency is declared during the pilot period, January 4 - April 11, vehicles located inside the pilot areas are to follow the pilot area parking rules; current Snow Emergency rules do not apply in the pilot areas. Current Snow Emergency parking rules will apply for the rest of the city.

For more information about the alternate side parking pilot areas, including detailed parking maps for the pilot areas and schedules, visit www.stpaul.gov/NewSnow.

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Last Edited: December 30, 2025