The Town of Newmarket is giving residents a reprieve from winter parking restrictions over the holiday season.
Starting Dec. 21, the town will allow you to park your vehicle on a residential street for more than three hours between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., as opposed to ticketing vehicles that do so. This will be in effect through the holiday season until Jan. 2, 2025.
"With many residents hosting celebrations or having family returning home for the holiday season, we wanted to make this special time even better for our residents and visitors through this holiday parking exemption program,” Mayor John Taylor said in a news release
The town’s winter parking restrictions generally extend from Nov. 1 to April 15, disallowing overnight parking on streets to ensure safe snow plow operations. Those who do so risk getting ticketed but could apply for a permit to park in one of Newmarket’s municipal parking lots overnight.
However, the temporary holiday parking exemption does not apply during snow events. The town said during snowfall, you should remove vehicles parked on the street to not interfere with snow plowing operations.
The move comes after Georgina announced a suspension of its winter parking restrictions earlier this week. That prompted some residents to question whether Newmarket should follow suit on social media.
Several residents praised the move from Newmarket on Facebook.
“I know I have asked a few times. So glad they decided to do this,” one resident said.“Makes sense with everyone travelling and hope it slows down the drunk driving being able to leave cars out.”
The town is currently studying street parking in the community. In initial surveys, although consultants found there is enough on-street parking to meet demand, a majority felt the town’s parking rules are too restrictive.
The rule change does not mean you will be able to park where it is outright disallowed. Other parking regulations will still be enforced, such as not parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant or not parking facing the wrong direction.
Regular winter and parking restrictions will resume Jan. 3 and remain in effect until April 15.
"Mayor and council hope this program will make this joyous season more enjoyable and allow you to focus on what truly matters — spending time with loved ones,” Taylor said.
