As seen from multiple outlets including FPNA's Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook & X, Boston is under a snow emergency. Lydia Polaski, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services South Boston Liaison, is sharing some additional information to get us through the snowstorm safely, along with some gentle reminders of property owner and tenant snow responsibilities. If you can, FPNA asks that you to check on your neighbors who might need additional assistance.
The City is urging residents to abide by snow regulations and encouraging all drivers to use caution if traveling. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through AlertBoston and to call 311 for non-emergency related issues. For any emergency, residents should call 911.
Boston City Hall and other municipal buildings, including Boston Public Library branches and Boston Centers for Youth & Families, will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Online services will remain available.
For the duration of the snow emergency, parking is prohibited in Boston Public Library and Boston Public Schools parking lots. Vehicles may be towed if they are parked in parking lots during the snow emergency.
A snow emergency has been declared to start at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22. A parking ban will also take effect at that time and all vehicles parked on posted snow emergency arteries will be towed to allow for snow clearing operations. Boston residents with a resident sticker can find a list of free and discounted garages here. Parking at participating garages will begin at 12:00 p.m. today. Discounted parking starts two hours before a declared snow emergency and ends two hours after lifting the emergency.
Curbside trash and recycling will operate on a delayed schedule. All neighborhoods will experience a one-day delay in trash and recycling service.
Please note: Food waste collection will be delayed by one day in all neighborhoods this week. Bulk items, mattress, and textile collections are cancelled. Residents who were scheduled for Monday collection will receive email or phone communication with instructions on how to reschedule. For the most up-to-date information by address and collection type, visit boston.gov/trash-day
Nighttime street sweeping on main roads, arteries, and commercial roads is canceled until further notice. Updates will be provided on boston.gov when night time street sweeping is scheduled to resume.
Individuals have 48 hours to use a space saver after the end of an emergency. After that, residents must remove it from the street.
The Public Works Department (PWD) will have over 900 pieces of equipment on City streets at the height of the storm. Public Works will begin snow removal following the storm, deploying snow removal units as well as bobcats and skid steers to open up crosswalks on main thoroughfares. Public Works has continued to melt snow in snow farms to create more capacity in anticipation of the upcoming snowfall. The PWD has over 35,000 tons of salt on hand ahead of the storm.
Rules on clearing snow:
Property owners must fully clear snow, sleet and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends, or three hours after sunrise if the snow ends overnight. Curb and pedestrian ramps to the street should be cleared fully and continually over the duration of the storm to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. If the storm lasts for an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check and clear ramps abutting their property.
Removal of snow and ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.
Property owners are required by law to clear sidewalks and curb ramps adjacent to their property, all the way down to the concrete, ensuring a 42 inch wide path of travel in order to provide access for wheelchair users, strollers, etc..
To help prevent further trash and recycling service delays, containers must be fully accessible to collection crews. Dumpsters and access paths must be fully shoveled and cleared of snow and ice so trucks can safely provide service.
Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines issued by PWD's Code Enforcement Division. Fines associated with improper removal of snow can be found here.
Information and resources to support individuals experiencing homelessness:
If you see a person experiencing homelessness or individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented, or underdressed for the cold, please call 911.
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) utilizes a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies, and first responders to assist those in need of shelter.
Boston Public Health Commission's emergency shelters are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and when temperatures are below freezing (32 degrees), amnesty is in place for those with nonviolent restrictions. Men can access shelter at the 112 Southampton Street Shelter, and women should go to the Woods Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave. BPHC and the City also work closely with other shelter providers to ensure that no client is without shelter, food, resources, and a warm respite from the cold.
Shelters are available any time of day or night for those in need.
During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams operate with extended hours and provide mobile outreach vans on the streets in the evening and throughout the day.
Heating guidelines for property owners and tenants:
Following the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season officially begins on September 15 and runs through June 15. Property owners must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. and 64 degrees between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
In case of emergency, property owners are encouraged to keep a list of licensed contractors (electrician, plumber, and general contractor) on file. Tenants experiencing problems with their heating system should check the thermostat, ensure the dial is turned on, and report insufficient or no heat problems to the property owner or manager immediately.
If your landlord or property manager is unresponsive, call 311 to file a complaint.
