Space Savers, Myth vs. Fact: Boston’s Most Debated Winter Tradition

After a big snowstorm, Boston’s side streets fill with an unusual collection of objects: lawn chairs, traffic cones, buckets, ironing boards and the occasional old couch. These are space savers, the city’s informal system for claiming a parking spot you shoveled out. Few Boston traditions spark more debate. Here is a myth-vs-fact look at the practice.

Myth: Space savers are always allowed

Fact: Boston’s longstanding approach has been to tolerate space savers only for a limited time around declared snow emergencies, with an expectation that they be removed within a set period afterward. The details can change, and some neighborhoods have handled things differently. The South End, for example, has been known for discouraging space savers entirely. Always check the city’s current snow guidance on boston.gov before assuming a chair is fair game.

Fact: Public streets are public. Shoveling out a spot can give you a short-term claim under local custom, but not a permanent right. City crews collect space savers left out after the allowed period, and they can be treated as trash.

Myth: Everyone in Boston supports space savers

Fact: Opinions are sharply divided. Supporters say it is only fair to protect a spot that took an hour of hard work to dig out. Critics argue the practice causes neighbor disputes, makes streets look cluttered and favors people who are home during the day. Many residents are somewhere in between: fine with it after a big storm, less so when savers linger for weeks.

Myth: Moving someone’s space saver is just a joke

Fact: Space saver disputes have led to real conflicts between neighbors over the years. The safest approach is to stay calm and avoid confrontation. If there is a problem, contact the city through its official services line rather than taking matters into your own hands.

How to be a good neighbor after a storm

• Follow the rules. Learn your neighborhood’s policy and the city’s current timeline.
• Use something sensible. A cone or chair is better than furniture, which becomes a mess when wet.
• Remove it on time. When the allowed window ends, take your saver in.
• Help others dig out. Shoveling a neighbor’s spot, especially for an older resident, builds goodwill.
• Clear sidewalks and hydrants. Boston requires property owners to clear sidewalks after snow; check the city’s rules for timing. Clearing around fire hydrants helps firefighters too.
• Move your car for plows. During a snow emergency, parking may be banned on major roads, and cars can be towed. Watch for city alerts.

Why the tradition persists

Space savers survive because Boston has dense neighborhoods, limited off-street parking and storms that can bury cars overnight. Digging out is hard work, and people want that work respected. At the same time, a city works best when neighbors give each other a little grace.

The best version of the tradition is one where people follow the rules, take savers in promptly and remember that the person parking next to them shoveled out too.