Beginning Sunday, Nov. 15, Madison residents will need to follow the city’s winter alternate‑side parking ordinance. The rule, which runs through March 15, requires vehicles to be parked on the side of the street that matches the date’s parity – odd‑numbered addresses on odd dates and even‑numbered addresses on even dates.

How the rule works

Enforcement hours are from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. each morning. During that window, city parking officers will ticket any vehicle that is on the wrong side of the street for the given date. The goal is to keep streets clear for snow‑plow operations and to reduce the need for costly snow‑removal equipment.

Special cases and exceptions

Medians, cul‑de‑sacs, and streets that already allow parking on only one side are exempt from the alternating requirement. Drivers should consult the city’s online guidance for details on those locations.

Free text reminders

The City of Madison offers a voluntary text‑message subscription that sends a reminder at 5 p.m. each day, letting drivers know which side of the street to park on for the upcoming night. Residents can sign up by visiting the city’s official website or by texting the keyword provided on the parking page.

Why the change matters for families and commuters

Keeping streets clear of parked cars during the early‑morning snow‑plow window helps ensure that families can get to school and work safely, even in harsh winter conditions. The ordinance also supports the city’s effort to maintain efficient use of taxpayer‑funded resources, aligning with the community’s values of responsible stewardship and personal responsibility.

What to do if you receive a ticket

Drivers who receive a citation for parking on the wrong side can contest it online through the city’s parking portal, providing evidence such as a photo of the street or a screenshot of the text reminder. The city encourages residents to use the portal to resolve issues quickly.

Stay informed

For the latest updates, maps of affected streets, and the full text of the ordinance, visit the City of Madison’s parking page. The city also encourages residents to download the WMTV15 News app or the WMTV15 First Alert weather app for real‑time alerts about weather and traffic conditions.

Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.