Winter's trap. In Montreal, after a good snowfall the city sends crews to load the snow and haul it away. To clear the streets, it temporarily bans parking — and if your vehicle is still there, it gets towed. It's one of the most expensive surprises for a newcomer with a car.
The sign to watch for. Temporary orange signs announce the parking ban during snow-removal operations. They go up a few hours before work begins and take priority over permanent signs. Get in the habit of checking both sides of the street every time you park after a storm.
Posting deadlines. As a rule, a sign banning parking from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. goes up the day before, before 8 p.m.; a sign for 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. goes up the same day before 3 p.m. Note that timing varies by borough — in Anjou, for example, signs are posted 8 hours before the ban starts. Read the time and the hours printed on the sign in front of your place.
The consequence. If you don't respect the signage in place, your vehicle is towed and you receive a fine. The plow having passed does not mean the ban is over: it runs until the time shown.
How to avoid the tow. Check the 311 Montréal app (formerly Info-Neige) or Info-Neige.ca, which show a real-time map of streets where loading is planned or underway. Move your car to a street with no ban before the start time. If your vehicle has already been towed, the Sustainable Mobility Agency can help you locate it at 514-868-3737.
Good to know for newcomers. During snow-clearing season, get in the habit of reading the signs every time you park, not just on the day of the storm — loading can happen several days after a snowfall. A minute of checking beats a fine plus towing fees.
