EMBRUN – With Snow in the forecast this week, it might be a good idea to know about changes to the winter parking restrictions if you live in Russell Township.

The Township of Russell is returning to an alert-based winter parking restriction system for the 2026-27 season, allowing residents to park on municipal streets overnight except when a winter parking ban is declared.

The restrictions will be in effect from Nov. 1, 2026, to April 1, 2027. Under the system, a Winter Parking Ban Alert will be issued when freezing rain or snowfall of five centimetres or more is forecast.

When an alert is issued, on-street parking will be prohibited between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Residents will be notified by 2 p.m. on the day before the restriction takes effect.

Alerts will be distributed through the township’s website, Facebook and Instagram accounts, LED information boards, and email notifications. New this year, residents can also receive alerts directly to their mobile phones through text messaging.

Residents must register through the township’s notification system at www.russell.ca/subscribe and select the parking bans option to receive either email or text notifications.

During an active parking ban, vehicles must be moved into driveways or one of four designated overnight parking areas. Vehicles left on the street are subject to fines and towing at the owner’s expense.

The designated parking areas are available between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and include:

  • Camille Piché Community Centre, in front of the skate park, 8 Blais St., Embrun;
  • Richelieu Park, west side, 159 St-Moritz Terrace, Embrun;
  • Russell park-and-ride parking lot, east side, First Avenue, Russell; and
  • Duncanville Park, north side, 1141 Concession St., Russell.

The four locations provide a combined total of 48 overnight parking spaces. The township cautions that vehicles left in these designated areas during the daytime may be ticketed. Commercial vehicles, buses and trailers are not permitted to use the overnight parking areas.

The township also reminded residents that separate temporary parking restrictions will apply during planned snow removal operations. Temporary No Parking signs will be posted on streets scheduled for snowbank removal.

These restrictions apply to all vehicles, including those displaying residential parking permits. Vehicles left on the street during snowbank removal operations will be ticketed and towed.

The designated overnight parking areas are not supervised, and the township accepts no responsibility for damage to vehicles parked at those locations.

Residents requiring temporary permission to park on the street during special occasions can obtain a no-cost temporary parking permit through the township’s Public Safety and Enforcement Department.

Additional information about winter parking restrictions, designated parking locations and notification registration is available at www.russell.ca under Parking and Regulations. Residents can also contact the department by email at bylaws.reglements@russell.ca.