Portland, Maine - All-city ban, some flashing signs

Summary

Overnight parking is prohibited on all city streets when there is a snowstorm. Residents may park in driveways or in designated public lots (such as in parks or parking garages). See details of alert system below.

Public Outreach - description

Snow Bans - from the city's Parking Division - http://www.portlandmaine.gov/parking/regulations.asp#snow

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.

Usually the 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 or MasterCard accepted. Sorry, No checks will be accepted. The snow impoundment lot can be reached at (207)774-3025.

• Tow Fee $65.00
• Impound Fee $25.00
• Ticket Fee $30.00

All unpaid tickets must be paid.

For more information view our online section on snow ban towing and fees.

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.

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.
8. Either at the International Marine Terminal on Commercial St. (under Casco Bay Bridge), OR in the lot across the street TBD.
9. Most Parking Garages will be open for extended hours during snow bans at reduced rates.

Yellow Zones (Downtown)

During winter months, the City of Portland implements City wide parking bans for snow removal when necessary in the YELLOW ZONE of the Portland Downtown District.

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 Arteral, 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.

The city also distributes a "Winter Operations Guide" pamphlet that includes much of this information.

Portland City Ordinance

Sec. 28-97. Declaration of emergency parking ban.

The city manager, or his or her designee, may declare an
emergency parking ban. The declaration of an emergency parking ban
may be made applicable to all city streets or only to certain
streets or streets within a defined perimeter. Such a declaration
of emergency shall be for the purpose of plowing or removing snow
or ice which has accumulated, or for other good cause stated in the
declaration of the parking ban. Any such declaration shall be
reduced to writing as soon as practicable thereafter, stating the
reasons therefor. The declaration shall be made no less than six
(6) hours prior to the starting time of the ban. Such declaration
shall be communicated to such representatives of the communications
media as the city manager may direct. Notwithstanding the
declaration of a ban on parking for the plowing or removal of snow
or ice accumulations, such a declaration shall not be applicable to
any location free of all snow and ice from one (1) curb to the
opposite curb for an entire block.
(Ord. No. 183-97, 1-22-97)

Sec. 28-98. Violation of emergency parking ban.

It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be or remain parked on
any street, including any unaccepted street, subject to a
declaration of emergency no parking under section 28-97 during the
effective time of such declared emergency.