Parking Rules & Regulations
Curb Parking and Surface Lots
METERS - Parking meters are used by the city to create turnover (short-term) parking for downtown businesses. The electronic meters are designed to accept nickels, dimes, quarters and credit cards. Credit card transactions require a minimum of 1 hour to activate a session. Sessions may also be purchased (and extended remotely) through the use of the ParkMobile Smartphone App. Visit your device's App Store and download the app for free!
Defective meters can be reported to the Parking and Transportation Division at (603) 766-7000.
[UPDATE 4.25.24]
METER RATES - The rates for all City of Portsmouth-managed On Street and Lot Parking inventory is $2.00 per hour for each of the first three hours, and $5.00 per hour thereafter.
METER TIME ZONES - Parking meters are in effect Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
UNMETERED ZONES - Unmetered zones are posted throughout the city on green and white signs. These zones allow you to park for free of charge for up to the time limits posted for the area. After the posted time, the vehicle must be removed from the parking space or be subject to Citation. Parking in free municipal lots and all streets not otherwise posted is limited to 72 hours, after which time the vehicle is subject to Citation and/or removal.
LOADING ZONES - Loading Zones are reserved for certain Loading Zone Hours for commercial or permitted vehicles that are actively loading or unloading product, merchandise or equipment. All vehicles in a loading zone must be actively engaged in loading or unloading - loading zones are not parking spaces - and may only occupy the Loading Zone for a period not to exceed 30 minutes. Commercial vehicles are either licensed commercial vehicles or vehicles marked for commercial purposes. All other unmarked non-commercial vehicles desiring to utilize a Loading Zone during Loading Zone Hours must have a permit issued by the Parking Clerk's Office. Annual Loading Zone Permits may be obtained at the Parking Clerk's office at the Foundry Place Garage for $250. All other vehicles may pay to park in Loading Zones outside of Loading Zone Hours if indicated in posted signs and City Ordinance.
ACCESSIBLE (ADA) PARKING -Only vehicles with authorized license plates, hangtags or placards issued to the driver or passenger may park in a designated ADA parking spaces. Authorized vehicles may park free of charge for up to 24-hours in the High-Hanover or Foundry Place Parking Facilities or in accessible designated on-street parking spaces free of charge for up to three (3) hours. If no designated accessible spaces are available, authorized vehicles may park in any metered parking space free of charge, for up to three (3) hours, after which a parking session must be initiated. Accessible plates, hangtags or placards do not allow a vehicle to access restricted parking areas such as commercial loading or no parking zones.
Unauthorized parking in an accessible parking space is subject to Citation, and carries a $250.00 fine in accordance with NH RSA.
NO PARKING ZONES - Parking in a "No Parking Zone" is strictly prohibited. Your vehicle must be completely parked in a legal zone.
- Please do not take more than one parking space.
- Do not park on sidewalks or esplanades (the space between the curb and the sidewalk).
- Never park against the flow of traffic.
PARKING/NO PARKING SIGNS- Parking and No Parking signs are placed on the street so that they may be viewed from your vehicle while parking. To report a missing or damaged sign, please call the Parking and Transportation Division at (603) 427-1530.
PARKING CLEAR ZONES - Unless otherwise posted, always park at least:
- 15 feet from a fire hydrant
- 20 feet from an intersection
High-Hanover Garage (HHG)
DAILY HOURLY RATES
Parking in the HHG is $2.00 per hour. For more information please click here
MONTHLY LEASE RATES
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UPDATE: AUGUST 21, 2024
[NOTICE: DUE TO THE ONGOING RENOVATION PROJECT AT THE HANOVER GARAGE, THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH IS CURRENTLY LIMITING MONTHLY LEASE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS FACILITY. INTERESTED PARTIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE PARKING CLERK'S OFFICES TO INQUIRE ABOUT JOINING THE WAITING LIST BY CLICKING HERE.]
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- Effective July 1, 2020: $200.00 for Residents; all others $275.00
- The minimum lease period is one month and there is no maximum.
- All leases are based on the calendar month and begin the first day of the month.
Leases are initiated by appearing in person at the Parking Clerk’s Office located at Foundry Place Garage, 100 Foundry Place, and completing a Lease Agreement Form and remitting the 1st month’s payment plus a $100.00 pass card deposit. Those interested in obtaining a pass may call (603) 766-7000.
The pass card deposit is forfeited if the pass is lost, damaged or used beyond the paid agreement. The pass card deposit is refundable when the Lease is terminated and the pass card returned.
You must contact the Parking Clerk’s Office in writing or personal appearance by the 1st of the month to end a lease. Cards used after the 1st will be subject to the monthly rate and loss of card deposit.
Click here to access the Hanover Online Parker Portal
Click here to access the Hanover Online Group Portal
LEASE RENEWALS AND REMITTANCE
You are responsible for renewing your lease by the first of the calendar month. If the Parking Clerk’s Office does not receive your payment by the 1st day of each month your card number may be deactivated and rendered invalid for use. If your pass has been deactivated for non-payment and you have to take a ticket to park in the garage, you will be expected to pay for the ticket. To re-activate your pass, you must pay a $15.00 re-activation fee before the pass is reactivated. Please make your checks out to: The City of Portsmouth, and mail to: Parking Clerk’s Office/Garage Pass, 100 Foundry Place, Portsmouth, NH 03801
You may also remit payment in person at the Parking Clerk’s Office at Foundry Place Garage, 100 Foundry Place, between the hours of 8:00a-6:00p on Mondays, Tuesday – Thursday 8:00a – 4:30p and Friday 8:00a-1:00p.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Parking Clerk’s Office at 603.610.7257.
USE OF THE PARKING PASS CARD
- The City does not mark specific parking spaces for private use by individuals. There are no reserved spaces, but there will always be space available for our tenants.
- Posted Speed Limits and Stop Signs must be obeyed. Failure to do so may mean loss of parking privileges.
- The City is not responsible for articles stolen from cars or damaged to cars within the Parking Facility.
When the “LOT FULL” sign is illuminated, cash paying customers will be denied access to the facility but lease holders will be allowed to enter.
- You may use the Hanover, High, or Fleet Street entrances with your pass card. You may only exit at the Hanover and Fleet Street exits.
- The pass card is issued to a tenant, not a particular vehicle. It is your responsibility to use the pass in accordance with the terms of its issuance.
- The pass card is not transferable to other users.
- Only one vehicle may be parked in the garage per pass.
- To avoid damage, do not place your pass card in the sun or leave it in the car on extremely hot and humid days.
- In the event that a pass card is damage or defective, please return it to the Parking Clerk’s Office to receive a new one.
Foundry Place Garage (FPG)
DAILY HOURLY RATES
Parking in the FPG is $1.00 per hour
For more information please click here
MONTHLY LEASE RATES
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UPDATE: MARCH 25, 2024
[NOTICE: DUE TO THE ONGOING RENOVATION PROJECT AT THE HANOVER GARAGE, THE FOUNDRY GARAGE HAS EXPERIENCED HIGH INTEREST IN MONTHLY PARKING. DUE TO HIGH VOLUME, THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING MONTHLY LEASE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS FACILITY. INTERESTED PARTIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE PARKING CLERK'S OFFICES TO INQUIRE ABOUT JOINING THE WAITING LIST, OR BY CLICKING HERE.]
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- Effective November 15, 2019: $100.00 for Resident; all others $125
- The minimum lease period is one month and there is no maximum.
- All leases are based on the calendar month and begin the first day of the month.
Leases are initiated by appearing in person at the Parking Clerk’s Office located at Foundry Place Garage, 100 Foundry Place, and completing a Lease Agreement Form and remitting the 1st month’s payment plus a $100.00 pass card deposit.
The pass card deposit is forfeited if the pass is lost, damaged or used beyond the paid agreement. The pass card deposit is refundable when the Lease is terminated and the pass card returned.
You must contact the Parking Clerk’s Office in writing or personal appearance by the 1st of the month to end a lease. Cards used after the 1st will be subject to the monthly rate and loss of card deposit.
Click here to access the Foundry Online Parker Portal
Click here to access the Foundry Online Group Portal
LEASE RENEWALS AND REMITTANCE
You are responsible for renewing your lease by the first of the calendar month. If the Parking Clerk’s Office does not receive your payment by the 1st day of each month your card number may be deactivated and rendered invalid for use. If your pass has been deactivated for non-payment and you have to take a ticket to park in the garage, you will be expected to pay for the ticket. To re-activate your pass, you must pay a $15.00 re-activation fee before the pass is re-activated. Please make checks out to: The City of Portsmouth, and mail to: Parking Clerk’s Office/Garage Pass, 100 Foundry Place, Portsmouth, NH 03801
You may also remit payment in person at the Parking Clerk’s Office between the hours of 8:00a-6:00p on Mondays, Tuesday – Thursday 8:00a – 4:00p and Friday 8:00a – 1:00p, or place your payment (checks only) in the gray municipal payment box found in the parking lot at the Municipal Complex.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Parking Clerk’s Office at (603)610-7257.
USE OF THE PARKING PASS CARD
- The City does not mark specific parking spaces for private use by individuals. There are no reserved spaces, but there will always be space available for our tenants.
- Posted Speed Limits and Stop Signs must be obeyed. Failure to do so may mean loss of parking privileges.
- The City is not responsible for articles stolen from cars or damaged to cars within the Parking Facility.
When the “LOT FULL” sign is illuminated, cash paying customers will be denied access to the facility but lease holders will be allowed to enter.
- The pass card is issued to a tenant, not a particular vehicle. It is your responsibility to use the pass in accordance with the terms of its issuance.
- The pass card is not transferable to other users.
- Only one vehicle may be parked in the garage per pass.
- To avoid damage, do not place your pass card in the sun or leave it in the car on extremely hot and humid days.
- In the event that a pass card is damage or defective, please return it to the Parking Clerk’s Office to receive a new one.
DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEE PARKING
Active Hourly Employees of Downtown Portsmouth Businesses are eligible to purchase up to twenty (20) single use validations each month at $3 per pass. Interested applicants should visit the Foundry Garage office in person to apply. To qualify, users will need to show valid drivers license and current pay stub each time they purchase.
Violations
PAYMENT OF FINES
Parking fines must be paid within 30 calendar days by mail at 100 Foundry Place, Portsmouth, NH 03801, online (click here) or personal appearance at the Parking Clerk's Office at the Foundry Place Garage.
Any person receiving more than ten (10) parking violations in any one year (July 1 to June 30) shall forfeit an additional sum of $25.00 for each subsequent violation. The city holds the registered owner accountable for accumulation of violations.
TOWING/BOOTING
If you have accumulated $250.00 or more in unpaid parking violations per registered owner, your vehicles will be subject to towing or immobilization until all unpaid citations are paid in full. If your vehicle is immobilized, a "Boot Removal" fee of $150.00 will be assessed.
| VIOLATION | >FINE | >After 30 Calendar Days |
|---|---|---|
| 15-minute parking violation | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| 30-minute parking violation | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| 1-hour parking violation | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| 2-hour parking violation | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| 4-hour parking violation | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| 72 hour parking violation | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Expired Meter | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| Parked within 15 ft. of a Fire Station | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Parked on Sidewalk | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Obstructing Traffic During Construction | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Double Parking | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| Parked Wrong Direction | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Back to Curb | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Distance from Curb | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Parked in No Parking Area | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| Parked Too Close to Intersection | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Emergency Snow Ban Violation | $35.00 | $55.00 |
| Parking within an Intersection | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Parked in Crosswalk | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Blocking Fire Hydrant | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Parked Blocking Driveway | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Obstructing Street | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Parked in a Fire Lane | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| 10 or More Parking Violations in One Year (July 1 to June 30) | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Parked in a Handicapped Parking Space | $250.00 | $300.00 |
| Resident Parking Only | $25.00 | $50.00 |
PARKING APPEALS
Appeals must be online within 20 calendar days of issuance. Click here to pay or appeal a Parking Citation
**No Appeal will be taken in person or over the phone.**
Construction Permits/Meter Bags
Permits may be issued to the public for the parking of a vehicle or other equipment that is engaged in construction, repair work or the moving of household goods. Permits may be purchased at the Parking Clerk’s office for the following fees:
$50 per day per parking space.
Meter bags will be issued to the permittee for use on traditional meters. Dashboard permits will be issued for Pay & Display metered spaces.
In the event that the permittee secures the use of a permit/meter bag through misrepresentation, the permittee shall be subject to a fine of fifty dollars ($50). Additionally, any person using a permit/meter bag other than at the times or in the manner specifically authorized by the Department of Public Works shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) per day, per permit/bag of such unauthorized use.