The City of Dover uses an as-needed, or more commonly referred to “storm-based” winter parking ban.
Click here for winter parking ban status
Unless a parking ban is declared, there is no need to keep your vehicle off the streets, except for the restrictions posted below under the heading, "Additional Winter Parking Regulations."
When needed for plowing, or sanding/salting, a parking ban is typically declared by 3 p.m. and begins later that night, except for a specific downtown area, which usually begins at 1 a.m. the following morning. Earlier start times may be enacted.
Visit https://bit.ly/doverban for the current winter parking ban status and enactment times.
When a parking ban is in effect
Parking is banned:
- On all city streets, sidewalks and adjacent public parking areas;
- At the Third Street, Orchard Street surface, and Belknap parking lots.
Vehicles may be parked on:
- The Transportation Center Lot: Any white-lined parking space, which requires paid parking at all times 24/7; rates are 50 cents per hour or $3 per 24 hours. Please note: NO PARKING is allowed in the three parking bays marked "COCHECO MILL PERMITS ONLY," denoted by yellow painted lines. These are reserved at all times, 24/7, for vehicles displaying Cochecho Mill permits. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed. Click here for lot map.
- The outside spaces of the Fourth Street lot at 10 Fourth St. (Requires paid parking at $1.25 per hour when parked Monday through Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.)
- The two outermost rows of the Dover Public Library lot at 73 Locust St., facing either Chestnut Street or Atkinson Street. (No cost for parking, but has a 3-hour limit between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.)
- The first two floors of the Orchard Street Parking Garage at 1 Orchard St.; paid parking required 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at $1.25 per hour.
Any vehicle parked on the street, sidewalk or adjacent public parking area (such as the public angled parking spaces on School or First Streets) may be ticketed and/or towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.
Downtown parking ban usually starts later than city-wide ban
If a different starting time is declared for the DOWNTOWN than it is for the rest of the city, the designated DOWNTOWN area includes the following streets (unless otherwise noted):
Central Avenue from New York Street to Kirkland Street - Washington Street from Chestnut Street to the Makem Bridge
- Fourth Street from Central Avenue to Chestnut Street
- St. Thomas Street from Central Avenue to Locust Street
- Locust Street from Hale Street to Washington Street
- Hale Street
- School Street (including angled spaces)
- Main Street
- Fourth Street parking lot
- Orchard Street parking lot
- Belknap parking lot.
View the Downtown Winter Parking Ban Map
ADDITIONAL WINTER PARKING REGULATIONS
The following streets have been posted for NO PARKING ANY TIME annually from December 1 to April 1. When a parking ban is declared, both sides of the below streets are restricted, as are all other city streets.
- Adelle Drive – Westerly side from traffic circle to roundabout, including the roundabout
- Baker Street – Entire length (northerly/odd numbered side)
- Belknap Street – Washington to Silver (westerly/odd numbered side)
- Belknap Street – Silver to Fisher (easterly/even numbered side)
- Cushing Street – Washington to Silver (easterly/even numbered side)
- Elm Street – Entire length (westerly/odd numbered side)
- Essex Street – Entire length (southwesterly/even numbered side)
- Everett Street – Entire length (westerly/odd numbered side)
- Fifth Street – Chestnut to Tammany Park (northerly/odd numbered side)
- Folsom Street – Entire length (southerly/even numbered side)
- Forest Street – Entire length (northwesterly/even numbered side)
- Fourth Street – Chestnut to Grove (southerly/even numbered side)
- Grove Street – Hough to Ash (westerly side, even numbered)
- Grove Street – Sixth to Hough (easterly side, odd numbered)
- Hamilton Street – Entire length (northerly/odd numbered side)
- Hancock Street – Entire length (southwesterly/even numbered side)
- High Ridge Drive – Entire length (southerly side)
- Industrial Park Drive – Across from UPS (easterly side)
- Lexington Street – Washington to Silver (easterly/even numbered side)
- Lincoln Street – Chestnut to Grove (southerly/even numbered)
- Maple Street – Sixth to Ash (easterly side, odd numbered)
- Nelson Street – Locust to Atkinson (southerly/even numbered side)
- Plaza Drive – Northway Circle northerly to end of street (easterly/even numbered side)
- Rogers Street – Entire length (southwesterly/even numbered side)
- St. Thomas Street – two spaces in front of 33/35 St. Thomas St. (northerly side)
- St. Thomas Street – Atkinson to Belknap (northerly/odd numbered side)
- Summer Street – Central to Belknap (southerly/even numbered side)
- Sylvan Drive – easterly side from traffic circle to roundabout, including the roundabout
- Third Street – Grove to Frances Drive (southerly/even numbered side)
- West Concord Street – Entire length (northerly/odd numbered side)
When a parking ban is declared, both sides of the above listed streets are restricted, as are all other city streets.
For more information and to sign up for parking ban notifications go to
Key points of the storm-based winter parking ban program:
- Parking bans may be called for nights other than the storm night to accommodate clean-up activities.
- It is incumbent on residents/businesses to notify their visitors of any parking ban.
- Some public parking lots have areas available for overnight parking. Go to DrivingDover.com for info.
- The parking garage has limited short-term spaces available and is for “Permit Parking Only” above the second floor (look for signs). Overnight parking is available in spaces 101-278. Metered parking at the garage is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays, at $1.25/hour. You may use the “FLOWBIRD” smart phone application to pay for parking remotely and to extend parking meter time.
- If you are going to be out of town for a few days and leaving a vehicle, assume a parking ban will be enacted and find alternative parking options. Do not try and predict the weather.
- It is incumbent on rental property owners to properly notify their tenants of the program, especially when they move in mid-season.
Questions? Call 603-516-6132 or e-mail the Parking Bureau at parking@dover.nh.gov