GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Drivers who leave their cars on neighborhood streets in Grand Rapids have less than two weeks to get used to the winter parking routine. Seasonal odd-even and same-side rules kick in at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, and stay in force through 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2027.
The city says the rules give street sweepers and snowplows room to work as crews pull leaves, branches and snow off residential roads, and they keep a single lane open for neighbors, ambulances, fire trucks and other public service vehicles. Enforcement starts on the first of the month whether or not any snow has fallen.
Only streets with posted signs are covered. On those blocks, the side you can use depends on the calendar. From 1 a.m. until 6 p.m. on an odd-numbered date, cars belong on the side with odd addresses. On an even-numbered date, they go on the even side. In the evening and overnight, from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m., both curbs are open unless a sign says otherwise, so the overnight window is the time to shift a car to the side that matches the next day.
Same-side streets work differently: drivers must stick to the one designated curb for the whole season, and a few of the narrowest streets allow no parking at all.
Public Works Director John Gorney said clearing fallen leaves out of the road keeps catch basins from clogging and streets from flooding later in the winter.
A violation brings a $20 ticket. Residents can flag problem cars through the grcity 311 app, the Report an Issue page on the city website, or by dialing 311 or 616-456-3000. Neighbors who think their block should get, lose or change the seasonal signs can ask city staff to review the street.
Section: More Grand Rapids MI crime news
Filed under: Grand Rapids MI Traffic News
