Overview
- Boston lifted its snow emergency on Jan. 26, triggering a 48-hour grace period that ended Wednesday evening, yet many placeholders remained and a city Facebook reminder drew backlash.
- City policy allows space savers only during a declared snow emergency and for 48 hours afterward, with explicit bans in the South End and Bay Village.
- Residents deployed a wide array of objects to mark spots after the storm, including a chef statue, cones, folding chairs, coolers, mattresses, and even a commode.
- A Boston.com reader poll of nearly 200 respondents found 66% say respect the practice, 24% say ignore it, and 10% say it depends.
- Cambridge and Somerville prohibit space savers altogether, and another storm forecast for Sunday could reignite parking disputes.