ENVIRONMENT

Municipalities impose snow emergencies, parking bans ahead of storm

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United States. Municipal governments across several states declared overnight snow emergencies and activated winter parking bans this week to enable curb-to-curb plowing and maintain emergency access. Officials in Chicago, Manitowoc, Bismarck and multiple Minnesota cities established restricted parking hours, towing policies and fines, and set enforcement windows beginning Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 and running into April in some jurisdictions. Cities published maps, hotlines and online resources and instructed residents to remove vehicles or face citations, towing and storage fees. Plowing schedules specified block-by-block removal times to clear arterial and residential streets. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Nov. 29, 2025: Southern Minnesota cities (St. James, Le Sueur) declared snow emergencies requiring vehicle removal.
Late-November (Saturday): Manitowoc mayor declared an overnight snow emergency to enable plowing.
Late-November: Chicago announced its annual overnight winter parking ban effective Dec. 1 through April 1.
Dec. 1, 2025: Bismarck began scheduled downtown snow removal at midnight with towing enforcement.
Dec. 1, 2025 early morning: Chicago enforcement commenced; multiple vehicles were towed as streets were cleared.