Sign up for winter parking ban alerts before it snows

posted on 11/21/2024

The City of Dover utilizes winter parking bans as needed through the winter season to clear the streets of snow. The public may sign up for phone, text and/or email to receive parking ban alerts.

Parking bans can occur during a storm or afterward for cleanup. When a parking ban is in effect, all vehicles must be off public ways and specific parking lots to avoid being ticketed and towed. 

To receive text or phone alerts, visit https://bit.ly/dovercodered or text "DoverNH" to 99411 from your phone. Follow the instructions to create a managed account to modify notification settings.

To receive email alerts, visit https://bit.ly/doverdownload and add "Parking Ban Alerts" to your email subscriptions.

The City of Dover also utilizes its website, social media accounts, Channel 22, and press releases to local news media to notify residents about parking bans. The current ban status is always posted at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/police/parking-bureau/parking-bans.html. The public can call 603-516-PARK (7275) to check the parking ban status anytime.

Most vehicles ticketed/towed during clean-up nights  

Most residents know not to park on city streets during an active storm. However, the city has struggled with parking ban compliance for post-storm cleanups, when crews need space to push back snow to increase visibility and prepare for the next storm.

"More than half of parking citations issued for winter parking ban violations come on cleanup nights," said Parking Manager Bill Simons. "The goal is not to give out any tickets or have any cars towed and let Community Services do their job."

A parking ticket is $60. A tow is likely to be above $150, he noted.

Unless a parking ban is declared, vehicles may be parked on the street except for areas covered by the seasonal one-sided winter parking restrictions.

When a winter parking is declared

A parking ban is typically declared by 3 p.m. and begins at a designated time later that evening, except for a section of downtown (see map), which usually starts at 1 a.m. When a ban is declared, parking is prohibited on city streets, sidewalks and adjacent parking areas, such as the angled spaces on School or First streets. Vehicles must be parked on private property, at an authorized public parking lot, or in meter spaces in the parking garage. Vehicles violating the parking ban may be ticketed and towed at the vehicle owner's expense.

Apartment building owners are encouraged to alert all tenants about announced parking bans. Tenants are encouraged to sign up for parking alerts.

Where to park during a parking ban

When a ban is in effect, parking is prohibited on:

• City streets, sidewalks or adjacent public parking areas. 
• Third Street and Belknap parking lots, and Orchard Street lot public parking spaces.

Limited parking is allowed on:

• The Fourth Street lot’s outside non-permit spaces only. Look for signs.
• The two outermost rows of the Library lot, facing either the Greek Orthodox Church or Atkinson Street. No parking in the center of the lot or the ends closest to Nelson Street or the McConnell Center.
• The first two floors of the Orchard Street Parking Garage require paid parking 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at $1.25 per hour. 
• All non-permit spaces at the Dover Transportation Lot (marked by signs and white-lined parking spaces). Requires paid parking of 50 cents per hour or $3 for 24 hours at all times. 
• Use Flowbird pay-by-phone app to pay for and extend parking time remotely. 

Seasonal winter parking restrictions

In addition to winter parking bans, there are several streets where seasonal winter parking restrictions are in place from Dec. 1 to April 1, regardless of the current weather conditions. These streets have signs posting the restrictions and do not allow parking at any time, day or night, between Dec. 1 and April 1.

Find the complete list of streets with seasonal parking restrictions at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/police/parking-bureau/winter-parking-restrictions/.

For more information, contact the Parking Bureau at 603-516-6132.