Q: How will I know if there are any parking restrictions on the street I am parking on?

A: In Winnipeg there are a number of winter parking bans that residents should be aware of. Information about all winter parking bans can be found at the following helpful links:

Website – http://www.knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca

Brochure – http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Parkingbans/Documents/knowyourzone_en.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions – http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/Parkingbans/Documents/FAQ.pdf

The two main winter parking bans that people should be familiar with are:

a) The Annual Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban which applies to streets designated as snow routes and is put in place annually from December 1 to March 1 and prohibits parking between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. nightly. Every street designated as a Snow Route has Snow Route signs posted within 150 metres of one another and at least one sign on every block. This parking ban is put in place in order to allow for better snow clearing operations on regional and collector streets across the city.

b) The Residential Parking Ban, which applies to residential streets when the City makes the decision to plow residential streets due to large accumulations of snow. All residential streets are assigned to a snow zone (which is identified by a letter of the alphabet). Residential streets will maintain the same snow zone letter of the alphabet for the entire winter season.

When a residential snow clearing operation is required, the City will announce the schedule for clearing of streets by snow zone letters. Residential streets in snow zones will be cleared in 12 hour shifts between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Under normal conditions, clearing of snow from residential streets will be completed within five 12-hour shifts, but it may take longer depending on plowing conditions. To find out when the residential parking ban will apply to a residential street you would like to park on, you can contact 311 or visit the City of Winnipeg webpage http://www.knowyourzone.winnipeg.ca

The City will make a public announcement through the media when a Residential Parking Ban is declared.

More answers to questions on Winter Parking Bans is also available here: http://www.orlikow.ca/faq/

Q: Why are residents being ticketed when there is no snow fall?

A:In the winter, it is essential that priority streets are kept clear of snow to ensure the fast, safe movement of emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire and police). These priority streets are designated as Snow Routes. The City’s Winter Parking Ban By-law (76/2011) prohibits parking between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from December 1st to March 1st every year on streets designated as Snow Routes. This ensures that if weather conditions suddenly change and it suddenly snows heavily, crews can start working immediately on the main roads and not have to worry about many vehicles parked on a street. Maneuvering around parked cars slows down the process considerably. Keeping these priority streets free of parked vehicles overnight ensures crews can plow quickly and cover a larger area in a shorter period of time, should it suddenly snow heavily.

Q: Why doesn’t the City give a warning to drivers parked on snow routes, instead of a fine?

A: The Winnipeg Parking Authority (WPA) did not enforce it for the first week of December. This time was used as an opportunity to educate the public through warning tickets and the distribution of an informational pamphlet. Since that time enforcement has remained consistent, to act as a deterrent. Not enforcing could introduce some level of complacency from the public and may result in residents fighting tickets on the premise that enforcement was not carried out in full accordance or consistently with the By-law. When a snow fall does occur, it is essential that the city complete operations in a timely manner in order to make the streets safer and to effectively and efficiently use our public resources.

Q: Where is a non-resident supposed to park when all the available parking is marked as a snow route?

A: The City advises that with regards to parking on Winnipeg streets in the winter, vehicle owners/drivers are responsible for finding a place to park their vehicle, and to find a street to park on, which doesn’t have a winter parking ban currently in place. The City provides information about which streets have winter parking bans in place, at: http://cms00asa1.winnipeg.ca/

On this web page an individual can type in a street address and see what streets currently have a Winter Parking Ban in effect including the Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban. The map also shows surrounding residential streets where there is no Parking Ban in effect and people can choose to park there. The City of Winnipeg also operates many surface parking lots throughout the city where vehicles may be parked overnight for a fee.

Q: What can I do to challenge a ticket?

A: If you would like to challenge a ticket, it is your right to take a ticket to Provincial Court at 373 Broadway between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. You may plead either ‘not guilty’ or ‘guilty with an explanation’.

In order to appear at Provincial Court you must 1) have the ticket stamped at the Parking Store (495 Portage Ave), and 2) appear within 15 days of the ticket being issued. The province provides no options to contest a ticket by phone.

Q: I would like to challenge a ticket, but I have difficulty taking the time out of my day due to other commitments. What options do I have?

A: Under provincial law, the City of Winnipeg must have a ticket stamped in order for the ticket-holder to challenge a ticket before a public hearing. If as a ticket-holder, you are unable to have it stamped, you may have somebody else get it stamped on your behalf so long as you provide a signed letter giving permission to do so. This permission must come from the registered owner of the vehicle.

The purpose of having the ticket stamped is for review before it goes forward. For example, if there was in fact a license plate or date error, this would allow The Parking Authority to catch this before it went to the Provincial Courts.

Q: What can I do if I the ticket was given in error?

A: If the ticket was given in error, you may have the ticket reviewed by the Winnipeg Parking Authority. This can be done online at:

http://theparkingstore.winnipeg.ca/theparkingstore/ A review is limited to a determination of whether or not there were errors in the issuance of the ticket. The review must be requested within 15 days of the ticket being issued. The ticket is reviewable if you think the patrol officer recorded the wrong: location, date, make of vehicle, violation, or license plate. Anything else requires an attendance at Provincial Court.

Q: What was the purpose of changing the residential snow plowing system?

A: Having the residential streets clear of parked cars allows for better snow clearing operations in terms of improved public safety, safety of equipment operators, and higher quality of snow clearing. In addition, the City realizes better use of public funds by not having to replow the streets once the cars have been removed. Under the former ban, parking was restricted for a six hour period while snow clearing operations continued on a 24-hour basis.

Q: Is the city taking any feedback on the Winter Parking Ban?

A: You can give feedback or suggestions to City staff by contacting 311, which can be passed on to the department for consideration at your request. Please feel free to provide any policy suggestions or concerns to my attention at 986-5236 and I can look into this on your behalf.

Q: Can I have the Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban changed on my Street?

A: The City has found that one of the keys to having our citizens be respectful of the Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban is clear and consistent regulation. Therefore the Snow Route Overnight Parking Ban must be applied in a similar manner on all city streets that are designated as Snow Routes. If any exceptions are made, it tends to quickly make the ban much more confusing to the public and ultimately less effective in limiting the parked cars impacting on the City’s snow clearing operations.

If you feel there is good reason that a street or a portion thereof should not be designated as a Snow Route, you can bring this to my attention and I will follow up with the City administration, making sure that either I or the administration will get back to you regarding this concern.

Q: What is a Residential Parking Ban

A. They usually happen 2-3 times a year. A residential parking ban:

· Allows plowing of residential streets.

· Is applied in 12 hour shifts, 7am to 7pm, 7pm to 7 am, in applied area.

· Zones identified by a letter are cleared in a shift, whenever possible.

· Vehicles parked in the zones being plowed may be towed to neighboring streets and can be ticketed.

· Tickets are $150.00, $75.00 if paid early.

Q: How do I know when a snow ban will take effect?

A: It is helpful for all residents to know their zone and arrange to learn of when a parking ban is in effect. If you choose not to sign up for notification, it would be helpful to contact 311 or check the City website when any significant snowfall occurs.

Q: How do I find out what zone I am in?

A: Please go to http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/ParkingBans/ParkingBans.asp and click on the “Find out your snow zone” Box, or call 311, or e-mail 311@winnipeg.ca

Q: Can I be notified when the City will be clearing my street?

A: You can sign up for e-mail or twitter alerts at www.kmowyourzone.winnipeg.ca.

Q: I don’t have regular access to a computer how do I get notices.

A: you can call in to 311 or go to the city of Winnipeg Website at your convenience.

Q: My car got towed, how do I find it again?

A: Call 311 with your license plate number. They will be able to tell you where it had been towed to.

Q: What are the different types of parking bans?

A: There are 5 types of parking bans

· Residential - All residential streets need to be plowed a few times per year.

· Annual Snow Route – Residents may not park on snow routes between 2AM and 7AM.

· Declared Snow Route – Annual snow routes may extend from 12AM to 7AM if required.

· Snow Emergency –The mayor may declare an emergency allowing no parking on snow routes.

· Temporary No Parking – Occasionally, residential streets may require further plowing. Temporary no-parking sings may be placed during this period.

More details on snow route types provided below:

Q: What is an Annual Snow Route?

A. Annual snow routes are priority streets used by emergency vehicles (Police, Fire and Ambulance)

· They are in effect Dec 1 to March 1 each year

· No Parking on designated Snow Routes between 2 and 7 AM.

· Snow routes are clearly marked with Signs saying Snow route and No Parking signs.

· Tickets are $100.00, $50.00 if paid early

· Cars may be towed to the Company compound

Q: What is a Declared Snow Route?

A. Declared when additional snow clearing is needed on snow routes after it snows

· May be declared when snow volumes are high.

· Extends Annual Snow Route ban by 2 hours, midnight to 7am

· Tickets are $100.00, $50.00 if paid early

· Cars may be towed to the Company compound

Q: What is a Snow Emergency?

A. A snow emergency can be declared by the Mayor at any time

They result in a parking ban on Snow Routes.

· No Tickets, but cars will be towed out of the way of snow Plow to nearby location.

Q: What is a Temporary No Parking Ban?

A. Occasionally individual streets may need additional clearing resulting in a temporary no parking ban.

· Temporary no Parking signs are posted

· Vehicles may be ticketed and towed.

Q: How long does it take to clear city streets of snow?

A: under normal circumstances it takes five 12 hour shifts to clear city streets of snow.

Q: How is this information being communicated?

A. Information on parking bans is transmitted by:

· Television (see link to Free press article below)

· Radio

· Print media

· City of Winnipeg Website

· Billboards

· Electronic Signs

· Brochures

· Social media

Link to Free Press Article on November 29, 2011

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-introduces-new-snow-removal-system-134657558.html

Q. Where can I find additional information?

A. City of Winnipeg Parking Ban Web Page: http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/ParkingBans/ParkingBans.asp

City of Winnipeg Parking Ban FAQ: http://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/ParkingBans/Documents/FAQ.pdf

Yes, the City of Winnipeg has a program in operation for the winter to help with snow clearing and in the summer to help with grass clearing.

Possible applicants need to call 311 for the application forms.

Here are the credentials in order to qualify for the program:

1) Ask resident if they have a front approach. If yes, they do NOT qualify for this service; If not, go to #2. 2) Ask resident if they are able to provide a medical certificate that they are physically handicapped so that they are incapable of shovelling snow or cut the grass. If no; proceed If yes, go to #3. 3) Ask resident if there is any able bodied person(s) at the residence that is able to shovel the snow or cut the grass. If yes; they are not eligible. If no; then they fully qualify.

If you have already had this service in the past please note that you have to re-apply for the programs on a yearly basis.