Parking During a Snow Emergency

Snow Emergency Routes (SERs) are indicated by red and white signs posted along the District’s larger commercial streets. Generally, SERs are our rush hour streets.

Motorists may not park on snow emergency routes while the emergency is in effect to allow snowplow drivers to clear these streets curb-to-curb. Their vehicles are subject to being ticketed and towed. To learn where a vehicle has been towed, call the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083 or go to https://dpw.dc.gov/page/booting-and-impoundment

The snow emergency will remain in effect until an announcement is made that it has been lifted. Motorists are asked to tune into television and radio broadcast stations or go to www.snow.dc.gov for a notice that the snow emergency has been lifted.

Useful tips:

If a snow emergency is declared, DO NOT park your car on Snow Emergency Routes (SERs).

Red and white Snow Emergency Route signs generally are posted higher on the pole than the other signs, so look up to the top of the pole to make sure you are parked legally.

Parking is banned on these routes to allow unimpeded curb-to-curb salting or plowing.

To locate a towed vehicle, please call (202) 541-6083.

• Snow Emergency Route Map [pdf]

If Your Car Is Towed

Vehicles ticketed for a snow emergency violation and towed by DPW will be taken to the DPW Impound Lot at 5001 Shepherd Parkway, SW 20032. The lot is open weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm, and the telephone number is (202) 645-5500. The lot is closed on weekends, holidays, and when the DC government is closed. Vehicles may also be towed by private towing companies, and vehicle owners can learn where their vehicle has been towed by calling the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083. To have an impounded vehicle released, these fees must be paid before the vehicle will be released:

• $250 ticket for the snow emergency violation.
• $100 tow fee.
• $20 per day storage fee.

Additional fees also may be required to be paid, e.g., fees for tickets older than 60 days that have not been entered into the adjudication system.

These fees may be paid at the impound lot by bank debit card, credit card (Mastercard, Visa, and Discover) or online through the Department of Motor Vehicles website -- dmv.dc.gov/.