Ahead of heavy snow, City puts Odd/Even enforcement into effect

ITHACA, N.Y. –– As Ithaca Voice reporter Brian Crandall warned Sunday night, heaving snow is expected to roll through the Ithaca area this week prompting city officials to put into effect Odd/Even parking enforcement.

Starting Monday, February 15 and until further notice residents will be asked to adhere to Odd/Even regulations by parking on the correct side of the street at night. Tickets will be issued to vehicles parked on the wrong side of the street.

Section Sponsors

The Odd/Even parking regulation mandates that from 7 p.m. on an odd-numbered calendar day to 6 a.m. the next day, cars must park on the odd side of the street (where the house numbers are odd). On an even day from 7 p.m. to the next day at 6 a.m., cars must park on the even side of the street.

Odd/Even parking is in place to allow snowplows to clear the entire width of city streets, from curb to curb, during and immediately following snow events. By switching the side on which cars are parked each day, plows can reach areas previously blocked by parked cars. Snowplows operate in the late evening and early morning hours with the goal of clearing the roads for the busiest hours of vehicle traffic.

Although the city will only enforce the Odd/Even parking regulations when needed, it is residents’ responsibility to know when the policy is being enforced. For an easier way to be notified directly when odd/even is in place sign up for the “Odd/Even Parking Notifications” list here via Swift911, the city’s emergency alert system. You can also text “Swift911” to “99538”. The city website will also have an alert posted to it until the enforcement period ends in the form of a blinking red banner at the top of the page.

If you are uncertain of the parking regulations on your block, navigate to the Resident Services Tool here on the city’s homepage. Enter your address to find out details about parking regulations in your area.

The City of Ithaca is also taking this opportunity to remind residents that keeping sidewalks free of ice and snow is important for the safety of your friends and neighbors. Homeowners are required to keep the full width of sidewalks clear of snow and ice, and must do so no later than 24 hours from the beginning of snowfall, as pursuant with City code. When sidewalks are found to not be kept clear the City may remove snow and ice hazards at the expense of the property owner. If you are a renter, please be sure to check with your landlord or consult your lease to be sure you know what responsibility you may have in your sidewalk maintenance.

More information about sidewalk snow and ice removal can be found in City Code here

If you have any questions about Odd/ Even parking regulations, or would like assistance signing up for Swift911^TM, please contact Melody Faraday at mfaraday@cityofithaca.org.

Anna Lamb