Parking restrictions start Sunday in Mpls.

This week's storm has forced the city of Minneapolis to ban parking on one side of most residential streets until April.

Starting at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, parking will be prohibited on the even-numbered sides of all streets, except those marked as "snow emergency routes" and parkways.

Transportation maintenance director Mike Kennedy said it's not a decision the city takes lightly.

"We do know that it's a hardship on a lot of people -- people in the high density areas, where there's a high demand for on-street parking. Unfortunately, where the problem is most acute, that's where we need the parking ban the most," said Kennedy.

The restrictions are needed because towering snowbanks have made many streets too narrow for fire trucks to navigate, he said.

Earlier this month, Minneapolis implemented limited parking restrictions that applied only to a small number of its narrowest streets. But the 10 inches of snow that dumped on the city this week made the broader ban necessary.

The last time the city instituted such a ban was the winter of 2010-2011.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.