City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – Due to the anticipated snowfall Sunday Feb. 22, 2026, a Declared Winter Parking Ban for the City of Worcester that went into effect Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 remains in place.

Residents are reminded to move their cars if they are parked in prohibited areas. The Worcester Police Department will be actively ticketing and towing vehicles to allow snow operations vehicles to safely clear the streets.

Free parking is available at municipal garages during the Winter Parking Ban except when Special Event rates apply. During special events, vehicles entering a garage will be subject to the Special Event parking rate (rates do not apply to vehicles already parked).

With a number of Special Events taking place this weekend, the following is a detailed summary of where to find free garage parking during the Winter Parking Ban:

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026:

• Union Station Garage – No charge for vehicles entering at any time.
• Worcester Common Garage – No charge for vehicles entering before 5 p.m. or after 9 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• Pearl Elm Garage – No charge for vehicles entering before 4 p.m. or after 10 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• Federal Plaza Garage – No charge for vehicles entering after 9 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• Major Taylor Garage – No charge for vehicles entering before 4:30 p.m. or after 10 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026

• Federal Plaza Garage – No charge for vehicles entering after 7 p.m. Event rates may apply at other times.
• All other municipal garages – Anticipated to operate with no charge for vehicles entering at any time.

Sand pick-up and recycling drop-off will be available at 1065 Millbury St. Additionally, sand pick-up will be available at 22 Albany St. and 299 Clark St. prior to and following plowing operations.

During the Declared Winter Parking Ban, parking is prohibited on either side of main arteries, emergency and bus routes, and streets in the downtown area critical to the flow of traffic. On all other streets, parking is only permitted on the odd numbered side of the street, unless otherwise posted. Residents can search their streets online at worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking.

Towing and ticketing may be enforced to keep streets clear. For questions, residents should contact Worcester 311 by dialing 3-1-1, emailing 311@worcesterma.gov, or visiting worcesterma.gov/311. Representatives will be available starting at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. Residents can submit requests through the 311 app and email 24/7. Residents looking to locate a vehicle that has been towed are advised to contact Worcester 311.

During the storm, residents should limit their travel and exercise extreme caution when traveling. Motorists should leave additional time for transit and stay clear of plows and other vehicles treating the roads. Residents are reminded that they have up to 10 hours from the end of a winter storm to clear the sidewalks abutting their property of any snow and ice. Residents who are able are also asked to clear snow around fire hydrants and catch basins in their neighborhoods. Snow should not be put in the street.

For more details about Worcester’s Winter Parking Bans and affected streets, please visit worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/winter-parking. Social media will also be updated with information as it becomes available. Reminder, ALERTWorcester remains down.

For additional details about City snow removal policies and enforcement, as well as resources for requesting assistance, filing a complaint, and winter sand locations, please visit worcesterma.gov/streets/winter-weather/snow-removal. For winter weather safety/preparation tips, visit ready.gov/winter-weather.