Winter Parking Bans

The City of Dover follows an “as-needed” winter parking ban policy. 

Unless a parking ban is declared, vehicles may be parked on the street.

If needed for snow plowing or cleanup, a citywide parking ban will typically be declared by 3 p.m. and begin at 10 p.m., except for the downtown, which starts at 1 a.m. the following morning. Earlier start times may be enacted in the event of a major storm or for clean-up from a prior storm.

When a ban is declared, PARKING IS PROHIBITED ON CITY STREETS, SIDEWALKS and ADJACENT PARKING AREAS, such as the angled spaces on First and School streets, and the parking bay on Dover Street. Vehicles found in violation of the parking ban may be ticketed and towed at the vehicle owner's expense.   

Earlier start times may be enacted in the event of a major storm or for clean-up from a prior storm.

An easy way to determine if you are in the right spot is to ask, “Am I parked on private property and not on any portion of the public right-of-way?"  If the answer is 'no,' then you need to move your vehicle onto private property or to an authorized public parking lot or the public parking garage. 

A map of the downtown parking ban area that begins at 1 a.m. can be viewed here: Downtown Parking Ban map.

Apartment building owners are encouraged to alert all tenants about the parking ban.

The new storm-based parking ban ordinance replaces the former winter parking ban, which was in effect from Dec. 1 to April 1. 

How to receive winter parking ban notifications

Notifications of parking bans are posted here, on Channel 22, the city's website, social media, and distributed to local news media.

To sign up for email notifications, click here, and select the "Parking Ban Alerts" option.

Sign up for text alerts via the City of Dover's emergency notification system, CodeRED, by sending DoverNH to 99411. Please note that cellular phone carrier and/or text message fees may apply.

Text alerts are also available by creating an account and logging into to the city's emergency notification system, CodeRED. Once you've created a managed account, you can select the option for Parking Ban Notifications under additional notifications. Please note you'll need to provide a phone number capable of receiving text alerts. Depending on your cellular phone carrier and plan, fees may apply. If you need assistance signing up for parking ban text alerts, please contact Media Services Manager Mike Gillis at 516-1641 or m.gillis@dover.nh.gov.

Call 603-516-PARK (7275) for the current parking ban status.

Key points about the new program

Parking bans may be called even if there is no active storm to accommodate clean-up activities; 

The Orchard Street Parking Garage has limited short-term spaces available and is for permit parking only on the upper floors. Overnight parking is $1 per hour, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week, on the lower two floors.  Use the meter after 9 p.m. or remotely from your phone with the “WHOOSH” app, also after 9 p.m.

 You may pay remotely from your phone with the “Whoosh” app or use the meters at the garage.

During parking bans, the following parking lot restrictions will also be in place:

• Orchard Street surface lot parking spaces (No Parking)
• Belknap Lot (No Parking)
• Third Street Lot (No Parking)
• Fourth Street Lot (Overnight parking only in rows facing Third Street and Chestnut Street.  No parking in the middle.)
• Central Fire Station Lot (No Parking)
• Library/McConnell Center Lot: (Overnight parking in rows facing Atkinson St. and the Greek Church. No parking in the middle or end rows.)