Strafford News

City of Dover issued the following announcement on December 15.

Parking Manager Bill Simons reminds City of Dover drivers to sign-up for parking ban alerts so they can know when winter parking bans are in effect.

Users can receive text and/or email alerts when a winter parking ban is declared, which requires all vehicles to be off public ways to allow street and sidewalk plowing. To receive text alerts, visit https://bit.ly/dovercodered, or text "DoverNH" to 99411 from your phone. To receive email alerts, visit https://bit.ly/doverdownload.

'As-needed' winter parking bans

During winter storm events or post-storm cleanups, the Community Services Director may declare a winter parking ban to allow crews to clear roads efficiently. When a parking ban is declared, all vehicles must be off public ways by the time the ban goes into effect. If vehicles are not removed, they may be ticketed and/or towed .

Most residents know not to park on the roads when there is an active storm. "People get it," said Parking Manager Bill Simons.

However, Community Services struggles with compliance with parking bans for post-storm cleanups when crews remove high snow banks or push snow back, so streets and sidewalks are passable and ready for the next storm.

"Ninety-five percent of parking tickets for winter parking ban violations come on cleanup nights," Simons said. "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 $50. A tow is likely to be above $150.

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

When a winter parking is declared

A parking ban will be declared by 3 p.m. to begin at a designated time later that evening. 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 the parking garage. Vehicles that violate 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.

The parking ban for the downtown area typically starts later than all other parts of the city. Click here for the downtown parking ban map.

Many options to receive parking ban notifications

The City of Dover utilizes its website, social media accounts, Channel 22, text and email alerts, 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. People can also call 603-516-PARK (7275) to check the parking ban status.

For email notifications, visit https://bit.ly/dovernewsletters and select the "Parking Ban Alerts" option. For text-based notifications via the City of Dover's emergency notification system, CodeRED, sign-up by texting "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 the city's emergency notification system, CodeRED. After creating an account, select the option for Parking Ban Notifications under "Additional Notifications." Users must provide a phone number capable of receiving text alerts. Cellular phone carrier and/or text message fees may apply.

Users should receive a confirmation email or text after a successful sign-up. If not, call the City of Dover's Media Services at 603-516-1641 for assistance.

Where to park during a parking ban?

Some public parking lots have areas available for overnight parking. Click here to view a map of municipal parking lot locations in the downtown area. The Orchard Street Parking Garage has limited short-term spaces and is for "Permit Parking Only" above the second floor (look for signs). Overnight parking is available in spaces 101-278 for $1/hr. Paid parking in the garage is 24/7, including holidays. Users may pay for parking or extend parking time through the smartphone "Flowbird parking" application. Users must know the number of the space where the vehicle is parked. Click here for more information about the pay by smartphone option. 

Seasonal winter parking restrictions

In addition to winter parking bans that can be called at any time, 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, listed below, do not allow parking at any time, day or night, between Dec. 1 and April 1.

The following streets are included in the seasonal winter parking restrictions:

• Baker Street, no parking on northerly side (odd numbered)
• Belknap Street, no parking on the westerly side (odd numbered), from Washington Street to Silver Street
• Belknap Street, no parking on the easterly side (even numbered), from Silver Street to Fisher Street
• Cushing Street, no parking on the easterly side (even numbered)
• Everett Street, no parking on the westerly side (odd numbered)
• Elm Street, no parking on the westerly side (odd numbered)
• Essex Street, no parking on the southwesterly side (even numbered) Everett Street, no parking on the westerly side (odd numbered)
• Fifth Street, no parking on the northerly side (odd numbered), from Chestnut Street to Grove Street
• Fifth Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered), between Grove Street and Tammany Park
• Folsom Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered)
• Forest Street, no parking on the northwesterly side (even numbered)
• Fourth Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered), from Chestnut Street to Grove Street
• Hamilton Street, no parking on the northerly side (odd numbered) Hancock Street, no parking on the southwesterly side (even numbered)
• High Ridge Drive, no parking on southerly side
• Lexington Street, no parking on the easterly side (even numbered)
• Lincoln Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered), from Chestnut Street to Grove Street
• Nelson Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered), from Locust Street to Atkinson Street
• Plaza Drive, no parking on easterly side (even numbered), from Norway Circle northerly to end of street
• Richmond Street, no parking on the westerly side (odd numbered)
• Rogers Street, no parking on the southwesterly side (even numbered)
• Saint Thomas Street, no parking on the northerly side (odd numbered), from Atkinson Street to Belknap Street, and two spaces in front of 33/35 Saint Thomas Street
• Summer Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered)
• Third Street, no parking on the southerly side (even numbered), from Chestnut Street to Grove Street
• West Concord Street, no parking on the northerly side (odd numbered)
• Young Street, no parking on the southerly side.

When a parking ban is declared, both sides of the listed streets are restricted, as are all other city streets.

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

Original source can be found here.