By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — Boston Mayor, Michelle Wu pulled the trigger Sunday, declaring a snow emergency ahead of a powerful winter storm and putting a parking ban into effect at 2:00 p.m.
This is not a drill. Once the snow emergency goes live, vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will be towed. The city is urging residents to abide by snow regulations and use caution if traveling. If you do not have to be on the roads, stay home. If travel is necessary, use public transportation.
Schools? Closed. Government? Closed. Trash pickup? Delayed. The city is effectively hitting pause as it braces for impact.
SCHOOLS AND CITY HALL SHUT DOWN
All Boston Public Schools and central offices will be closed Monday, February 23, 2026. All extracurricular activities, sports, and programs Sunday night and Monday are canceled.
Boston City Hall and other municipal buildings — including Boston Public Library branches and Boston Centers for Youth & Families locations — will also be closed Monday. Online services remain available.
The message to businesses and families is unmistakable: plan accordingly.
THE PARKING BAN CLOCK IS TICKING
A parking ban takes effect at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. All vehicles parked on posted snow emergency arteries will be towed to clear the way for plows.
Boston residents with a resident sticker can access free and discounted garages beginning at 12:00 p.m. Discounted parking starts two hours before a declared snow emergency and ends two hours after lifting the emergency.
During 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 those lots.
Residents have 48 hours to use a space saver after the end of an emergency. After that, it must be removed. Space savers are banned in the South End and Bay Village.
Wu made the stakes clear.
“Preparations for snow are already underway across every neighborhood, and our City teams will be out around the clock through the nor’easter and the cleanup afterwards,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We ask everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and warm, and stay off the roads to help our public works and public safety efforts. If you see anyone outside during the storm who needs assistance, please call 911. We thank everyone in advance for their patience as we institute this parking ban to get roadways cleared as effectively as possible, and for your partnership to shovel out the sidewalks and crosswalks in front of your property after this significant snowfall so everyone can be safe.”
TRASH, RECYCLING AND STREET SWEEPING HIT PAUSE
Curbside trash and recycling collection is canceled citywide tomorrow and will operate on a one-day delay across all neighborhoods. Food waste collection will also be delayed by one day. Bulk items, mattress, and textile collections are canceled.
Nighttime street sweeping on main roads, arteries, and commercial roads is canceled until further notice.
For a city driven by tight logistics and dense streets, these delays ripple fast. Residents are urged to keep containers accessible and fully shoveled to prevent further service disruptions.
900 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT, 35,000 TONS OF SALT
The city is not going in light.
The Boston Public Works Department will have more than 900 pieces of equipment on the streets at the height of the storm. Roads will be treated before snowfall begins. Snow removal units, bobcats, and skid steers will be deployed to open crosswalks on main thoroughfares after the storm.
Public Works is actively receiving salt deliveries and will have over 35,000 tons of salt on hand.
The National Weather Service is in constant contact with city officials as forecasts are updated.
HOMELESS SHELTERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH ON ALERT
If you see someone experiencing homelessness who appears immobile, disoriented, or underdressed for the cold, call 911.
The Boston Public Health Commission operates a citywide shelter network open 24 hours a day. When temperatures drop below freezing, amnesty is in place for those with nonviolent restrictions. Men can access shelter at 112 Southampton Street. Women can go to the Woods Mullen Shelter at 794 Massachusetts Ave.
Street outreach teams will operate extended hours during extreme cold.
STRICT RULES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Property owners must fully clear snow, sleet, and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting their property within three hours after snowfall ends, or three hours after sunrise if the storm ends overnight. Sidewalks must be cleared down to the concrete with a 42-inch-wide path to ensure accessibility.
Removal of snow and ice from private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.
Failure to comply can result in fines issued by Public Works’ Code Enforcement Division.
HEATING AND CARBON MONOXIDE WARNINGS
The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code requires property owners to heat habitable spaces to at least 68 degrees between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., and 64 degrees overnight during heating season.
Residents are warned never to use charcoal or gas grills, kitchen stoves, or products not designed as heaters to warm their homes. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed and maintained on every level.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately.
BOTTOM LINE FOR BUSINESS AND RESIDENTS
Boston is shifting into full operational storm mode. Offices closed. Schools closed. Parking locked down. Equipment staged. Salt stockpiled.
The financial and logistical ripple effects are real — from delayed waste collection to workforce disruptions and transportation bottlenecks.
City Hall’s directive is simple: get off the roads, stay put, and let crews do their job.
The snow hasn’t started yet. The shutdown already has.