Waltham Lifts Overnight Parking Ban, For Now

The overnight parking ban in Waltham has been lifted, at least until May, according to the Traffic Commission.

At its Dec. 19 meeting, the commission voted to stop enforcing the ban until its May meeting when it plans to revisit the issue, according to Traffic Commission Chairman Frank Lombardo. The commission, he said, is leaning toward permanently abolishing the overnight parking ban, Lombardo told Waltham Patch.

The parking ban typically prohibits cars from parking on most city streets between 2 and 6 a.m. 

Lombardo cited more mild winter weather among several reason for lifting the ban. 

Despite the moratorium, motorists are still required to leave at least 10 feet of road open to allow emergency vehicles to pass through, Lombardo said. Violators of that rule are subject to a $25 fine, he said. 

Also, motorists must still follow the on-street parking prohibition imposed during snow emergencies, Lombardo said. Violators of the snow emergency parking ban are subject to being towed. 

The moratorium came as Fire Chief Paul Ciccone and Acting Police Chief Keith MacPherson told the commission lifting the ban would be possible as long as roads were properly cleared during inclement weather, Lombardo said. Consolidated Public Works Director Michael Chiasson agreed with the idea, Lombardo said. 

Stay tuned for more details on this story.