Street cleaning in Cambridge resumes on Monday, April 1. Be sure to check signs for parking restrictions between April and December to avoid being ticketed and/or towed. Maps and schedules are available from the Traffic Department and Public Works, and online here.
Even if a sweeper has gone through an area once, please do not park there before the posted end time. Whenever feasible and necessary, the sweeper may make a second pass through a neighborhood. Public Works also cleans each one of the city’s 5,000+ catch basins annually, and knowing when streets will be free of parked cars helps when planning this major endeavor.
In addition to improving the cleanliness and appearance of streets, street cleaning also plays an important role in keeping local waterways clean. By sweeping up sand and other debris, catch basins are kept clean and able to function efficiently. Street sweepers also help to remove particles and chemicals that get deposited on roadways through the wear and tear of vehicle parts, combustion, and leaking engine fluids, reducing a significant source of pollution to the Charles River and the Alewife Brook.
If you believe your vehicle has been towed due to street cleaning, we encourage you to log onto www.cambridgema.gov/TowedVehicles to check the status of the towed vehicle.