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These regulations are tailored to accommodate the particular needs and uses of all areas of the City.
In order to perform necessary and ongoing street maintenance activities such as sweeping, catch basin cleaning, snow plowing and removal, the City has instituted overnight parking restrictions that are broken down into two areas.
Off Peninsula
Off peninsula, there is alternate side street parking (odd/even) from 12:00 midnight to 7:00 AM. Parking is only permitted on the even numbered house side on even numbered days and on the odd numbered house side on odd numbered days. Park for the day that starts at midnight.On the peninsula which includes Downtown
On the peninsula and the downtown area of Portland, overnight parking is specified by street signs. Street maintenance such as sweeping, catch basin cleaning, snow removal etc., is normally done during this time. (11:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.) Look for the red and white signs to avoid being ticketed and/or towed.Note There is a trial program being implemented from 8:00 A.M. to Noon on the East End, Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Thursdays, in the Parkside Neighborhood. Please, look for the posted signage.
The Parking Division is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the 1,450 parking meters throughout the City. By using meters to set time limits, we increase the number of motorists who can use a single space during the course of a day; that increases parking opportunities for everyone and supports the growth of business in our community.
Parking meters are designed for turnover (short-term) parking, so you are required to leave the parking space when the meter’s time limit has been reached. It is illegal to deposit additional coins in the meter after the time limit has been reached. Feeding the meter beyond its original maximum time could result in your vehicle receiving a parking ticket.
The hourly rate is 1.00 per hour and the meters accept nickels, dimes
and quarters. Parking meters are in effect from
9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Sundays and major holidays are free.
The following is a list of City Holidays, when parking meters are not enforced.
New Years day
Martin Luther King Jr Day
Presidents Day
Patriots Day
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Defective meters can be reported to the Parking Division (874-8498). If meter is broken you still need to move to a working meter. Vehicle bumper needs to be in line with meter post.
Time zones are posted throughout the city on green and white signs. These zones allow you to park free of charge for up to 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours as posted. After the posted time, the vehicle must find a new parking space or it will be subject to ticketing.
Commercial loading zones are for vehicles that have commercial or combination plates. Vehicles with these plates can park free of charge for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the vehicle must leave or it is subject to ticketing. These zones are in effect from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm unless posted otherwise.
From 6:00 pm to 6:00 AM the restrictions are lifted and any vehicle may park in these zones unless posted otherwise.
Please note: certain loading zones are posted as reserved for dual rear wheel vehicles between the hours of 6:00 am and 12:00 Noon.
Only people with the appropriate plates or hangtags issued to them may park in a Disabled Zone. Registrant vehicles bearing disabled plates or placards are exempt from meter fare and are entitled to park for twice the posted time limit at a meter or time zone. Parking garages also have dedicated handicap parking spaces available (for a fee).
Disabled plates or hang tags do not allow a vehicle to access any zone that is restricted to others, such as a no parking zone or a vehicle loading zone.
Parking in a "No Parking Zone" is strictly prohibited. Your vehicle must be completely parked in a legal zone.
View our online list of City enforced parking regulations
10 feet from a fire hydrant
5 feet from both sides of a driveway
25 feet from an intersection
20 feet from the center of a crosswalk
Please do not park on the grass
Parking and No Parking signs are placed on the street at an angle, so that they may be viewed from your vehicle while parking. Signs have arrows indicating the direction of parking and no parking. You must picture the sign to be parallel with the roadway. All signs are approved, installed and replaced by the Traffic Division of the Public Works Department (207) 874-8493.
Trailers and Recreational Vehicles
No person shall park any boat, camper, trailer, recreational vehicle, similar vehicle or any snowmobile on any street for more than twenty-four (24) hours in any seven-calendar-day period. Violators may be ticketed and/or towed at owners expense.
Abandoned or Unregistered Vehicles
Vehicles appearing to be abandoned will be posted as such and if not moved within 10 business days will be towed. Unregistered vehicles, vehicles without license plates and vehicles constituting a health and safety hazard are subject to being towed immediately at the owners expense.
During winter months, the City of Portland implements City wide parking bans for snow plowing and or snow removal. Also when necessary, a limited parking ban in the YELLOW ZONE of the Portland Downtown District may go into effect for snow hauling.
Snow/Parking Bans go into effect at 10:00 PM and continue in effect until 6:00 AM the following morning. However, under extreme conditions, the hours may be changed or extended.
All vehicles left on the street during a snow parking ban will be towed at the owner’s expense. Only cash, VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card accepted. Sorry, No checks will be accepted. The snow impoundment lot can be reached at (207)774-3025.
For more information view our online section on snow ban towing and fees.
All vehicles left on City streets during the parking ban times will be towed at the owner's expense. All vehicles removed from the streets during a citywide parking ban are towed to the City's Impound Lot. This is located at the Ocean Gateway Marine Terminal next to the Maine State Pier at 40 Commercial Street - telephone number to the Snow Impound Lot is 774-3025. The Impound Lot is open throughout the parking ban and remains open until 7:00 p.m. the next day.
Only cash, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover Card will be accepted, NO checks will be accepted.
All unpaid tickets must be paid.
For information on retrieving your vehicle call the snow impoundment lot at (207) 774-3025, or the Parking Division Office 874-8443.
If your car is towed during a Yellow Zone parking ban, please call 874-8443 or 874-8575. Vehicles towed during these bans are brought to the towing company's individual impoundment lots.
To find out if a Snow Ban is in effect you can:
The City offers several convenient ways to make it easy for you to find out if a City snow ban is in effect.
1. Call the winter parking ban telephone number at (207) 879-0300
2. Listen to radio & television broadcasts
3. Visit www.portlandmaine.gov and view the City News section;
4. Look at the "Time and Temperature Sign" which will flash "Park Ban"
5. View several illuminated "Parking Ban In Effect" signs located at several intersections leading into the City
6. You may also sign up for automatic E-mail or pager notification.
7. Become a Fan of Portland Cityline on Facebook, www.facebook.com or a follower of PortlandCitylin on Twitter, www.twitter.com
Where to Park During A Snow Ban
The City offers numerous free options for parking on the peninsula during a snow ban. All vehicle owners must remove their vehicles from these designated areas listed below by 7:00 AM the morning the ban is removed. The City may tow, at the owner's expense, any vehicle which has not been removed by the 7:00 am deadline.
1. Deering Oaks - on the Tennis Court Road only.
2. State Street gravel lot abutting Deering Oaks.
3. Fitzpatrick Stadium parking lot.
4. Hadlock Field parking lot.
5. All Portland Public School parking lots EXCEPT the Reiche School lot which abuts the school and playground.
6. Cutter Street lots (off the Eastern Prom)
7. Beach Street lot accessible from Commercial Street after 8:00 pm.
8. City lot at the corner of Park & Commercial Streets across the street from the IMT (International Marine Terminal).
9. On Peaks Island, snow ban parking is available at the Welch Street parking lot.
10. Most Parking Garages will be open for extended hours during snow bans at reduced rates.
During winter months, the City of Portland implements City wide parking bans for snow plowing and or snow removal. Also when necessary, a limited parking ban in the YELLOW ZONE of the Portland Downtown District may go into effect for snow hauling.
In the Downtown area (Yellow Zone) snow removal is usually done on night(s) following snow storms, and an additional limited parking ban is usually implemented in this area on those nights. The downtown area (yellow zone) is bounded by Cumberland Avenue, Franklin Street, Commercial Street and State Street. Look for the Yellow Zone Signs in the area, the Flashing Signs, and Tripods. Also check the News Media or call the hotline 879-0300 to see if an additional limited ban is in effect.
If your car is towed during a Yellow Zone parking ban, please call 874-8443 or 874-8575. Vehicles towed during these bans are brought to the towing company's individual impoundment lots.
