When and where you park in the winter can have a big impact on clearing streets and sidewalks.
The overnight winter parking ban is in effect every year from Dec. 15 until Mar. 31.; however, it is only enforced during declared weather events and clearing operations. When the ban is enforced, it restricts any on-street parking between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed any time during the day or night, any day of the year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.
The municipality has enhanced enforcement in areas around hospitals and schools, bus routes and problem streets for snow equipment and emergency vehicles.
If possible, consider leaving your car at home. If you need your vehicle, plan ahead and make arrangements for off-street parking when the parking ban is enforced or bad weather is forecasted.
To help avoid a ticket, as well as the inconvenience and cost of being towed, residents should ask themselves these four questions when considering parking on the street this winter:
- is the overnight parking ban currently being enforced?
- is your vehicle causing a safety issue?
- is it making the road impassable?
- is it impeding snow operations underway in the area?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, do not park on the street.
Overnight winter parking ban zones
The municipality may implement two zones for the overnight winter parking ban: Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central.
Zone 1 – Central refers to the Halifax Peninsula and downtown Dartmouth within Highway 111 (the Circumferential Highway) and some surrounding areas.
Zone 2 – Non-Central is a designated area outside of Zone 1 – Central.
It’s important to note that with the introduction of the two zones, the following parking ban scenarios may occur during, or following, a declared weather event:
• Municipal overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted (both Zone 1 – Central and Zone 2 – Non-Central)
• Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted
• Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban is being enforced/has been lifted
• Zone 1 – Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 2 – Non-Central
• Zone 2 – Non-Central overnight winter parking ban has been lifted, but will continue to be enforced in Zone 1 – Central
Residents are able to determine which zone they’re in by searching their address using the interactive tool available here or via the map below.
Know your parking options
Please think before you park this winter. It will help make the season a little easier on everyone.
Please note, this is not a complete list. Spaces are subject to availability. Any questions about individual locations should be directed to the operator listed.
| Location | Address | Operator | Spaces | Type | Free or paid? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Address | Operator | Spaces | Type | Free or paid? |
| Scotia Square | 5201 Albemarle Street, Halifax | Crombie | 1000 | Garage | Paid |
| Brunswick Place | 2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax | Crombie | 150 | Garage | Paid |
| Maritime Museum | Halifax Waterfront | Indigo | 18 | Surface | Paid |
| Foundation Place | Halifax Waterfront | Indigo | 114 | Surface | Paid |
| Salter Lot | Halifax Waterfront | Indigo | 320 | Surface | Paid |
| Bishop's Landing | Halifax Waterfront | Indigo | 44 | Surface | Paid |
| Canal Street | 16 Canal Street, Dartmouth | Indigo | 50 | Surface | Paid |
| 1991 Brunswick Street | 1991 Brunswick Street, Halifax | Indigo | 42 | Garage | Paid |
| 2019 Gottingen Street | 2019 Brunswick Street, Halifax | Indigo | 50 | Surface | Paid |
| 2131 Gottingen Street | 2131 Brunswick Street, Halifax | Indigo | 108 | Surface | Paid |
| Garrison Grounds | 5425 Sackville Street, Halifax | Indigo | 133 | Surface | Paid |
| Halifax Infirmary (Robie) | 1799 Robie Street, Halifax | Indigo | 671 | Surface | Paid |
| Purdys Wharf | 1977 Upper Water Street, Halifax | Indigo | 1088 | Garage | Paid |
| Richmond Terminal | 3481 North Marginal Road, Halifax | Indigo | 50 | Surface | Paid |
| The Keep (Vernon) | 1990 Vernon Street, Halifax | Indigo | 70 | Garage | Paid (No entry after 9 p.m.) |
| Via Halifax (Long Term) | 1146 Marginal Road, Halifax | Indigo | 129 | Surface | Paid |
| Victoria General | 5780 University Avenue, Halifax | Indigo | 760 | Surface | Paid |
| Park Lane Mall | 3070 Dresden Row, Halifax (Entrance off Annadale Street) | Universal | 430 | Garage | Paid |
| Spring Garden Place | 5640 Spring Garden Road, Halifax (Entrance off Dresden Row) | Universal | 430 | Garage | Paid |
| Metro Park | 1556 Hollis Street, Halifax | Hardman | 416 | Garage | Paid |
| Bell Lot | 5565 Sackville Street, Halifax | Halifax Regional Municipality | 32 | Surface | Free from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Paid during daytime hours.) |
| Alderney Paid Parking Lot | 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth | Halifax Regional Municipality | 45 | Surface | Free from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. (Paid during weekday hours.) |
| Nova Centre | 1650 Grafton Street, Halifax | Page Realty | 425 | Garage | Paid |
Stay informed
Overnight winter parking bans will continue to be communicated to residents via public service announcements, hfxALERT, halifax.ca and @hfxgov on X. Residents who are signed up for hfxALERT will continue to receive notifications for all overnight winter parking ban scenarios.
Regardless of the status of an overnight winter parking ban, or whether you have received a notification, vehicles can be towed any time during the day or night, any day of the year, if they are interfering with snow-clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.