Public Notice: Snow Emergency and Municipal Service Updates for February 23

Emergency Declaration: Snow Emergency and Parking Ban

Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a snow emergency and parking ban for the City of Boston, effective through Monday, February 23, 2026. This emergency order has been issued in response to significant winter storm conditions affecting the region. To facilitate snow removal and ensure public safety, residents are advised of the following critical service changes:

• Parking Restrictions: A citywide parking ban is in effect on all major roads and main arteries. Vehicles parked on these designated routes will be subject to towing at the owner's expense to allow for essential plowing operations.
• Municipal Closures: Boston City Hall and other non-essential municipal buildings, including all branches of the Boston Public Library and Boston Centers for Youth & Families, are closed today. Online city services remain operational.
• School Closures: All Boston Public Schools (BPS) and central offices are closed. While students were originally scheduled to return today following the February recess, all classes, extracurricular activities, and athletic programs are canceled.

City Council Committee Hearings

Despite the closure of general municipal offices, the Boston City Council has several committee hearings scheduled to proceed via hybrid or virtual formats, unless otherwise noted by the Clerk’s Office. The following legislative matters are being addressed today:

• Committee on Education (10:00 AM): A public hearing regarding Docket #0200, an order for a hearing on Boston Public Schools staffing program impacts and the distribution of educational resources.
• Committee on Education (2:00 PM): A hearing regarding Docket #0166 to discuss ongoing infrastructure and facility assessments across the district.
• Public Testimony: Members of the public who wish to offer testimony are encouraged to use virtual participation links provided on the official City Council calendar to avoid travel during the storm.

Public Works and Parks Advisories

The City of Boston Public Works Department has suspended several routine operations to focus on emergency response. Residents should take note of the following adjustments to neighborhood services:

• Street Cleaning: All nighttime street sweeping on main roads and commercial arteries is canceled until further notice. Regular daytime neighborhood sweeping remains out of effect for the months of January and February.
• Parks and Recreation: The Boston Parks and Recreation Commission has a scheduled meeting at 10:00 AM at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue to review pending park improvement projects. Participants are advised to check for potential last-minute rescheduling due to weather conditions.
• Space Savers: Residents are reminded that space savers may be used for up to 48 hours after the end of a snow emergency, except in the South End and Bay Village neighborhoods, where they are strictly prohibited.