When Minneapolis declares a snow emergency, parking rules change for three days in a fixed order, and a car left on the wrong side gets ticketed and towed. The short version: move your car off Snow Emergency routes before 9 p.m. on Day 1, off the even-numbered side and the parkways by 8 a.m. Day 2, and off the odd-numbered side by 8 a.m. Day 3. Get the day right and you avoid the whole problem.
The three-day sequence, in order
Minneapolis plows on a three-day schedule once an emergency is declared.
- Day 1 starts at 9 p.m. Do not park on either side of a Snow Emergency route until it is fully plowed.
- Day 2 starts at 8 a.m. Do not park on the even-numbered side of non-route streets, and stay off the parkways, until they are plowed.
- Day 3 starts at 8 a.m. Do not park on the odd-numbered side of non-route streets until they are plowed.
The rule follows the plow, not the clock alone. Once your side of the street is cleared to the curb, you can park there again even if the day is not over.
How to know an emergency is on
You do not have to guess. Text MPLSALERTS to 77295, sign up for Smart911, or call the automated hotline at 612-348-7669 (that spells SNOW). The city announces emergencies through those channels, and the plowing days always run in the same order once one is declared.
If your car is already gone
The city tows a lot of cars during these events. City officials, through local reporting, put the average around 1,100 vehicles per snow emergency, though individual events have run anywhere from about 155 to more than 700. If yours is one of them, it went to the City of Minneapolis impound lot.
Check first by plate or VIN at minneapolismn.gov, or call the lot at (612) 673-5777. The lot is at 50 Van White Memorial Blvd. Some older listings show 51 Colfax Ave N, which is the former entrance to the same facility, so go by 50 Van White. During Day 1 and Day 2 of an emergency the lot stays open 24 hours, then returns to its posted schedule of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
What it costs to get it back
The city’s impound fees are public and set under Minneapolis City Code Chapter 349. As of 2026 the tow is $222, storage is $18 per day charged by midnight, and a notification letter is $6. A heavy-duty tow runs $204.50 plus $94.50 per half-hour of winch time. Bring proof you are the owner and be ready to pay before the car is released. Storage adds up daily, so picking it up sooner costs less.
If you need a tow yourself
A snow emergency is exactly when a lot of cars end up stuck or dead at the curb. Quick Tow Minneapolis is a referral service. We take the call and match you with an independent local operator who works the metro, and that operator quotes the job before anyone rolls. Tell us where the car is, where it needs to go, and whether it is drivable, and we point you to help.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out if a snow emergency has been declared? Text MPLSALERTS to 77295, use Smart911, or call 612-348-7669. The city posts the declaration through those channels, and the three plowing days run in the same order every time.
Which side of the street is safe to park on? It depends on the day. Day 1 keep off Snow Emergency routes, Day 2 keep off the even side and the parkways, Day 3 keep off the odd side, each until the plow has cleared it.
Where is my car if the city towed it? At the Minneapolis impound lot, 50 Van White Memorial Blvd. Search by plate or VIN at minneapolismn.gov or call (612) 673-5777.
How much will I owe? The 2026 city fees are a $222 tow, $18 per day storage, and a $6 notice letter. Storage is charged by midnight each day, so pick it up as soon as you can.