Providence council amends winter parking rules for commercial zones to allow 8 a.m. on-street parking when no active snow

The Providence City Council on Jan. 15 approved an amendment to PCC 6-2-8(1), changing winter on-street parking hours in commercial zones so vehicles may be parked starting at 8 a.m. when there is no measurable snow and no plows operating. The ordinance as amended keeps a full restriction in effect whenever streets are snow- or ice-covered or plows are operating.

The change emerged after a lengthy public discussion of parking pressures in a commercial cluster around 465 North and Spring Creek Parkway. Applicant John Cartoni, who represents a billing office and nearby medical suites, said employees arrive early and that the street parking helps keep patient spaces in the closest stalls available. “I respectfully request a variation…on that road on 465 North, we, my employees are permitted…to park at 8 a.m.,” Cartoni said during the meeting.

Council members and staff expressed concern about narrow streets, emergency access and snow removal logistics. City staff noted that the city already prohibits parking on both sides of certain narrow streets because it impedes emergency vehicles and said snow-removal operations require clear streets when plows are active. “It's unlawful to park…upon the paved portion of the street while snowplows are operating or while streets are snow or ice covered,” a city staff member said during discussion.

Supporters argued the one-hour shift (9 a.m. to 8 a.m.) would help local businesses without materially impairing plowing if businesses and employees follow the city’s snow rules. A number of council members said the change should be considered a short-term accommodation and urged property owners to pursue longer-term parking solutions.

Councilors debated enforcement and the risk that customers — not just employees — would use on-street spaces. Several members said any exception should include clear education for businesses and patrons about when the exception applies and that the existing prohibition during active snowfall must be enforced.

After discussion, the council voted to approve the ordinance amendment for commercial zones. The motion passed with a majority and the change takes effect under the same seasonal dates already in PCC 6-2-8(1); the city emphasized that when streets are snow- or ice-covered or when plows are operating, on-street parking remains prohibited regardless of the hour.

Council members asked the applicant and other business owners to pursue onsite parking or other long-term measures to reduce reliance on the curb.

Votes at a glance Motion: Amend PCC 6-2-8(1) (Ordinance 23-2024) to allow on-street parking in commercial zones starting at 8:00 a.m. (previously 9:00 a.m.) during the winter restriction period when there is no measurable snow and plows are not operating. Outcome: Approved by majority (final tally recorded in minutes as majority in favor; specific named roll-call votes were not consistently recorded in the transcript.)

What happens now The ordinance change applies to the city’s commercial zoning districts. City staff will continue to enforce the existing prohibition whenever streets are snow- or ice-covered or while snowplows are operating. Council members asked staff to publicize the rule change and to encourage businesses to seek off-street or shared parking long-term.