Featured image: The intersection of Main, Salem and Ferry streets, looking toward Malden High School. Photo: John Phelan via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).
Malden, Massachusetts has two separate winter parking rules, and mixing them up is a common way to get ticketed or towed. Winter parking restrictions start with the first significant snowfall and last until April 1. A snow emergency is declared storm by storm and adds tow zones on main streets. This guide explains both, based on City of Malden pages checked Oct. 22, 2026.
Malden winter parking restrictions: one side of the street
Starting with the first significant snowfall of the season, Malden limits parking citywide to one side of the street. Once that begins, the rule stays in place 24 hours a day until April 1.
The city’s general rule ties the allowed side to the year the winter season starts. In a season that starts in an odd-numbered year, parking is on the odd-numbered side, and in an even-numbered year, on the even-numbered side. For the 2025-26 season, the city’s page still lists the odd side as the general rule. It has not yet posted 2026-27 details, so watch for the city’s announcement before the first snow.
The city lists these exceptions:
- Streets that are signed for one-side parking all year keep that side.
- A city-designated list of streets parks on the opposite side to maximize spaces. The list is on the Winter Parking page and can change each season.
- A few streets allow both sides, such as Cross Street from Bryant to Henry and Cushing Road from Savin to Pine, according to the 2025-26 list.
Malden snow emergency parking: tow zones on main arteries
When a significant snowfall is forecast, the city declares a snow emergency. It announces the start time at least four hours in advance and also announces when it ends. As soon as a snow emergency begins, cars parked on designated main arteries are ticketed and towed, which the city says can happen before the first snowflake falls. Cars must be gone before plowing starts. School zones also carry extra restrictions during emergencies.
Business district streets during snow emergencies
On streets designated as business districts, parking is allowed on both sides during normal business hours under ordinary winter rules. During a declared snow emergency, no parking is allowed on either side. The designated streets include Pleasant Street from Main to Commercial, Main Street from Winter Street to the Everett line, Broadway from Glendale Avenue to the Everett line, Salem Street from Main to Beach, Highland Avenue from Pleasant to the Medford line, and Eastern Avenue from Main to Lynn Street, among others.
Free snow emergency parking lots in Malden
Drivers who must move can park free in these city lots for the length of the emergency:
- Beebe School, 401 Pleasant St.
- Forestdale School, 74 Sylvan St.
- Ferryway School, 150 Cross St.
- Linden STEAM Academy, 29 Wescott St.
- Early Learning Center, 257 Mountain Ave.
- Salemwood School
- Malden High School’s Holden Street back lot. Do not use the Valley Forum hockey rink lot, which it shares, or you may be towed.
- CBD Parking Garage, 170 Center St., and Jackson Street Garage, 7 Jackson St., but only when the city announces they are open for that storm.
Cars generally must leave the lots within two hours after the emergency is declared over.
What to do if your car is towed
Call the Malden Police at 781-397-7171 to find out which tow lot has your car. You pay the tow company’s fee if you pick it up within 24 hours, and daily storage fees after that. You will also have a $25 city parking ticket unless you appeal it, and the instructions are printed on the back of the ticket.
How to get Malden snow emergency alerts
The city’s City Alerts Center sends text, phone or email notices when winter parking starts, when a snow emergency is declared, and when it ends. The city also posts updates on its website and social media, and residents can call Malden 311.
More Malden guides
- Malden trash pickup, yard waste and street sweeping guide
- Malden Halloween 2026 trick-or-treat hours and events
- Malden development projects in 2026
- Nearby: Cambridge snow emergency guide and Boston snow emergency parking rules
Additional details
- The city recommends using a driveway or private lot when you have one, both to avoid violations and to free street space for neighbors without off-street parking.
- Example of the odd-even rule, from the city: someone living at 44 Main St. in a season that started in 2018 could park on the same side as their home.
- Residents interested in plowing for the city can find the snow removal contractor application on the city website.
- For general storm information, the city points to its Winter Weather Central page.
Sources
- City of Malden: Winter Parking
- City of Malden: Snow Emergency Parking Locations
- City of Malden: Business District Winter Parking
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