FOR RESIDENTS
- ATVs and Motorized Scooters
- Commercial Vehicles
- Exceptions - winter parking
- Winter - snowplowing
- Year-round
ATVs and motorized scooters
ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), motorized scooters and other motorized vehicles are prohibited on public lands, including sidewalks, bike trails, parks, schools and recreation areas.
Parking: Commercial Vehicles
St. Louis Park city ordinance restricts where some commercial vehicles can be parked.
Oversize commercial vehicles cannot be parked in garages, yards, driveways or streets in residential neighborhoods. These vehicles must be parked at another location. An oversize vehicle is more than 8 ft. high, 22 ft. long, or 6,500 lbs. (empty weight).
Mid-size commercial vehicles cannot be parked on residential streets or the portion of the driveway in front of the house line. They can be parked in the back yard or on the portion of the driveway alongside a house. A mid-size commercial vehicle is up to 8 ft. high, 22 ft. long or 6,500 lbs. (empty weight).
Cars, minivans or small pickups with a logo or company name on them may be parked on driveways and residential streets.
Commercial vehicles temporarily at a house for construction, remodeling, or contract work are exempt from the ordinance while the work is underway.
For more information, call the zoning office at (952) 924-2592.
Exceptions - winter parking
There are some exceptions to the winter parking ordinance - but only in a few neighborhoods where parking is exceptionally limited because of apartment buildings or commercial businesses. In these areas, parking on the first day of snowplowing is allowed. On the second day, however, vehicles must be moved to a plowed street. Vehicles that aren't moved are subject to ticketing and towing.
To find out if a portion of a street is exempt, call (952) 924-2563.
Parking Permits During Snowplowing -
Households that do not have enough space to park at least two vehicles off the street, may apply for a parking permit if they meet one of these criteria:
- The household has no garage or driveway (no permit fee, limit two permits per household)
- The household has off-street parking for only one vehicle but owns two vehicles (no permit fee, limit one permit per household)
- The household has off-street parking for only one vehicle but owns three or more vehicles (one free permit and $125 for one additional permit, limit two permits per household)
- The household has off-street parking for two vehicles but owns three or more vehicles ($125 per permit, limit two permits per household)
- The household requires the aid of a licensed caregiver and does not have off-street parking for the caregiver's vehicle ($25 for caregiver's permit; limit of one caregiver permit per household).
To have a permit application mailed to you, call (952) 924-2555
or click here for the permit.
Even if you have a parking permit, you must move your car to a plowed street on the second day of plowing. If you don’t dig out your car and move it to a plowed street, you can be ticketed and towed. When you move your car, don’t park too close to snow left behind by plows when they went around parked cars.
Parking: Winter - Snowplowing
Parking is banned every time - Day Or Night - Snowfall Reaches 3 Inches!
Don't wait for a "snow emergency" to move your car. On-street parking is automatically banned - whether it's 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. - as soon as snow accumulation reaches three inches. Vehicles parked on unplowed streets can be ticketed and towed.
When On-Street Parking Is Allowed
On-street parking is allowed as soon as streets have been plowed to the curb.
When snow accumulation is less than three inches, plows will be dispatched but parking is not banned. However, snowplow drivers can do a better job of clearing streets if you park off the street even during minor snowfalls. If you aren't sure if parking is banned, call the Winter Parking Hotline at (952) 924-2180.
Vehicles Can Be Ticketed And Towed
Vehicles parked on unplowed streets will be ticketed. If they're not moved within 12 hours of being ticketed, they can be towed. Ticket and towing charges can include any of the following and can be higher
- $30 minimum parking ticket (fee can be higher)
- $44.70 minimum towing charge (additional charges if the vehicle must be shoveled out or weighs more than one ton)
- $25 storage fee per day
- $10 notification fee.
If You're Plowed In, Ticketed Or Towed
If your vehicle is ticketed or plowed-in, dig it out immediately and move it to a driveway, garage or plowed street. City ordinance prohibits vehicles from parking within 50 feet (about two car lengths) of any snow left behind when plows went around parked cars. You can be ticketed and towed if you park too close to an unplowed area of the street.
If your vehicle is towed, call All Hours Towing at (952) 546-7211 to find out where to pick up your vehicle.
Avoid Ticketing And Towing
To avoid the risk of ticketing and towing, please pay attention to the weather forecast. If snowfall is predicted - regardless of depth - don't take a chance: park on the driveway or in your garage. If you're going to be away from home, don't leave your car on the street.
If you aren't sure if parking is banned, call the Winter Parking Hotline at (952) 924-2180. Parking bans are not listed on this web site due to the risk of untimely server or related problems. When you look out your window, if it looks like snowfall has or will accumulate, please move your car.
Another way to avoid a ticket and towing is simply to make it your winter habit to park off the street, especially at night.
City ordinance prohibits vehicles from being parked within 50 feet (about two car lengths) of any snow left behind when plows went around parked cars. You can be ticketed and towed if you park too close to an unplowed area of the street.
Parking: Year-round
48 Hours Only
When snowfall is not a factor, city ordinance prohibits vehicles from being parked on the street for more than 48 consecutive hours. Vehicles parked in the same place for more than 48 hours may be ticketed or towed.
Parking Distance From Driveways And Alleys
No vehicle may be parked within five feet of a public or private driveway or alley.
Parallel Parking
When parallel parking, vehicles must be parked in the direction of traffic and the curbside wheels must be within 12 inches of the curb. Vehicles may not be parked closer than four feet to another parked vehicle.
Angle Parking
Where streets have been signed or marked for angle parking, vehicles must be parked at the angle indicated by the signs or street markings.
Lawns and Curb Areas
No vehicles may be parked or stored in front yard setback areas or on the public right-of-way (the area just behind the curb).
Junk Vehicles
Vehicles that have expired license tabs or are not legally street operable must be removed from the property or stored inside a closed garage - not a carport. Junk vehicles may not be stored outdoors under a tarp, on an open trailer, or on a lawn.
Multiple Vehicles
Any household can park up to three passenger vehicles outside its garage. If there are more than three licensed drivers in the household, up to five passenger vehicles can be parked outside of the garage. However, only one passenger vehicle per licensed driver is allowed.
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