HRM imposes sweeping parking ban for entire municipality

A sweeping on-street parking ban is in effect for all of HRM.

"It's essentially a zero-tolerance policy," said city spokesperson Jennifer Stairs.

The ban takes effect immediately and applies to all streets in the municipality and not just in the overnight hours.

“Officers are going to be out in full force ticketing and towing anyone they see [parked] on the streets," said Stairs. "The problem right now is we can’t clear if cars are out there.”

She says vehicles on the streets pose a safety risk.

"Any vehicles parked on the street are a serious concern for our clearing crews, as well as emergency vehicles," said Stairs.

Right now, the city is focusing its clearing efforts on the main arterial roads and plans on moving to clear the residential areas and side streets Wednesday evening and into tomorrow.

However, high winds are hampering clearing efforts.

"It's really filling the streets back in as quickly as we're able to clear them," said Stairs.

She says it will be days before sidewalks will be cleared and is asking that if residents can safely do so, their efforts to clean the sidewalks in front of their homes would be appreciated.

Stairs says given it's March Break, there have been fewer vehicles on the roads this week, which has helped with clearing efforts.

Transit service is expected to resume tomorrow, but a decision will be made later this evening.

All in all, it will take some time before the city is cleaned up from the storms it has been pelted with.

"It's going to be weeks," said Stairs.