FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coconino County’s annual Winter Parking Ordinance 2022-06 goes into effect next Friday, Nov. 1. The ordinance, which will remain in effect through Tuesday, April 1, 2025, prohibits vehicles, trailers, and storage containers from being parked in County-maintained rights-of-way at all times during snow season.
Between Nov. 1 – April 1 of each year, vehicles, trailers, and storage containers must be kept clear of County-maintained rights-of-way both to facilitate safer snow removal operations and to help mitigate dangerous “snow play”-related traffic congestion and parking issues along County rights-of-way. Any vehicle parked in prohibited areas is subject to be cited and may be towed at the owner’s expense due to the possibility of threatening the health or welfare of County residents.
In County-maintained rights-of-way, violation of the ordinance is a civil traffic offense that carries at minimum a $200 fine in addition to any other penalties that may be imposed for such an offense.
Winter recreation in Coconino County has resulted in increased parking and traffic congestion, littering, and other dangerous hazards that negatively impact the health, safety, and welfare of residents of the County who live and/or own property adjacent to County highways and roads.
During snow season, it is a primary responsibility of Coconino County “to keep those County highways and roads used by large numbers of residents reasonably clear of snow; also, those that service school bus routes and provide major access for emergency vehicles.” Vehicles, trailers, and storage containers left parked on County roads during snow season can become hazards to County snow removal operations and to these items.
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute §11-251, the County Board of Supervisors may manage public roads within the County, as well as, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute §11-251.05, adopt all ordinances necessary or proper to carry into effect such powers.
For more information, please visit www.coconino.az.gov/WinterParkingOrdinance2022-06
Winter parking restrictions in the City of Flagstaff will begin on Nov. 1 and will remain in effect until April 1. During this time, parking on city streets and alleyways is prohibited from midnight to 7 a.m.
Winter parking restrictions allow the City to thoroughly plow the streets during snow events and remains in effect even if it is not snowing to aid in street sweeping. This ordinance is enforced by the Flagstaff Police Department. Cars that are parked in violation of the ordinance when it is not snowing will receive a ticket and those parked in violation during inclement weather will receive a ticket and could be towed.
There are several areas of town that have exceptions and modifications to the winter parking restrictions, including some streets in the Downtown area where the restrictions apply from 3 -7 a.m. For more information about the ordinance and to see a full list of exceptions and modifications, visit flagstaff.az.gov/4881/Winter-Parking-Ordinance.