Article III Parking; Stopping; Standing

It shall be unlawful for the driver of any bus or taxicab to stand or park upon any street in any business district at any place other than a bus stop or taxicab stand, except while actually engaged in taking on or leaving passengers.

No tractor-trailer combination or other truck shall park on the travel portion of the street for the purpose of loading or unloading on Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., upon the streets indicated in Schedule K (§ 141-50). This subsection shall not apply to trucks used on said streets for emergency purposes or while engaged in highway or other necessary maintenance or repairs.

Restricted parking.

[Amended 3-11-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.02.25-009; 5-25-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.05.11-007; 4-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.03.22-004]

Henry Law Park — River Street parking area. No person shall park a vehicle in designated parking in the River Street parking area at the Henry Law Park and Recreation Facility unless he/she is a City employee on City business or is present and using the recreational facility or grounds at Henry Law Park. The parking of vehicles for any other purpose is prohibited. Violators shall be subject to Table B fines under § 141-23 as set forth in the Fine Schedule adopted by City Council.

[Amended 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001]

Summer Street. No person, except for visitors to the Woodman Institute, shall be allowed to park on the northerly side of Summer Street from the intersection with Central Avenue westerly for 120 feet, during operating hours when the Woodman Institute is open for the season. Signage shall be posted that indicates the hours, days and/or months of the restricted parking, based on the Woodman Institute's operating hours. Violators shall be subject to Table A fines under § 141-23.

Orchard Street. No person, except for visitors to the Dover Police Station, shall be allowed to park in the two posted police station visitor spaces in front of 40 Chestnut Street (Cochecho Park Apartments) and the three posted police station visitor spaces on the first floor of the parking garage. Violators shall be subject to Table A fines under § 141-23.

(Reserved)[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection E(4), Orchard Street Parking Garage, which required a permit or overnight parking receipt for parking a vehicle between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., added 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27 and amended 11-8-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.10.25, was repealed 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021.10.13-009.

(5)

Orchard Street Parking Garage.

[Added 5-23-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.05.09-004; amended 10-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2023.09.27-11]

(a)

No person shall park a non-plug-in electric vehicle in a designated electric vehicle charging station space.

(b)

Vehicles using the electric vehicle charging stations must be parked in designated electric vehicle (EV) charging station spaces and have paid the appropriate parking fees.

(6)

Orchard Street Parking Garage. The Chief of Police shall have the authority to designate certain spaces within the parking garage for vehicles properly displaying a permit that is valid for use in the parking garage. Violations of this subsection shall be a Table B violation,[2] and the vehicle may be towed at the vehicle owner's expense.

[Added 10-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.09.26-010]

[2]

Editor's Note: See § 141-23, First notice of violation; payment tables.

(7)

Orchard Street Parking Garage: The parking garage is not intended for long-term storage of vehicles, and any vehicle remaining in the parking garage for more than five consecutive days without prior notification to and the approval of the Police Department shall be a Table B violation and the vehicle may be towed at the owner's expense.

[Added 7-22-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.07.08-005]

Parking for primary purpose of advertising prohibited. No person shall park a vehicle upon any public way for the primary purpose of advertising goods or services, except as provided in Chapter 109, Peddlers and Vendors. Violators shall be subject to Table B fines under § 141-23 as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

[Amended 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27; 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001]

§ 141-14 General parking provisions.

[Amended 4-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.03.22-004; 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27; 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001; 7-22-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.07.08-005; 10-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.09.11-7]

Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law or the direction of a police officer or official traffic control device, no person shall:

Stop, stand or park a vehicle:

On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.

On or over a sidewalk except for bicycles.

Within an intersection.

On a crosswalk.

(5)

Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic.

(6)

Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel, unless a parking space is specifically provided.

(7)

On any railroad tracks.

(8)

Within 20 feet of the corner of any intersecting street, unless a parking space is specifically provided.

(9)

It shall be unlawful for the owner or operator of any motor vehicle to park or allow to be parked any motor vehicle for any length of time in a designated fire lane. Violators will be subject to Table B fines under § 141-23 as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

(10)

At any place where official signs prohibit parking.

(11)

In any parking place, whether on public or private property, specially designated for a person with a walking disability by means of a sign, as required by RSA 265:73-a, stating that the space is reserved for a person with a walking disability or displaying the international accessibility symbol, unless that person has a special number plate, decal, or a card issued pursuant to RSA 261:86, 261:87 or 261:88, or a similar license plate, decal or card issued by another state or country displaying the international accessibility symbol and the persons who qualifies for the plate, decal or card is being transported to or from the vehicle.

(12)

In or overlapping into any access aisle. "Access aisle" shall mean a designated space for maneuvering a wheelchair or other mobility device when entering or exiting a vehicle, that is immediately adjacent to a properly designated parking space for persons with a walking disability, whether public or private property. Access aisles shall be so marked as to discourage parking in them. Violators will be subject to Table B fines under § 141-23 as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

(13)

At any place that has been posted for “Permit Parking Only” without displaying a valid permit authorized by the Chief of Police and displayed so that it is clearly visible.

(14)

Park or allow to be parked an unregistered vehicle, which has been confirmed as being unregistered, on any city-controlled street, parking lot, parking area, or public parking garage.

Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily, to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:

In front of or within five feet of the edge of a public or private driveway.

Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

Within 20 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.

(5)

Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance when properly signposted.

(6)

Adjacent to any curb painted yellow or along any curb where there is a yellow line along the pavement adjacent to said curb.

(7)

Within 20 feet of the entrance to any multifamily complex consisting of five or more units.

Stand or park a vehicle in a roadway, other than parallel to the edge of the roadway, headed in the direction of traffic, and with the right side of the vehicle within 12 inches of the edge of the roadway, except as provided in the following subsections:

In locations where the Police Department shall have marked or cause to be marked off individual parking spaces on the public streets, public parking areas or highways of the City, in which case it shall be unlawful to park any vehicle in such a way that said vehicle shall not be entirely within the spaces so designated, unless such vehicle is too large to be confined to one such space and the vehicle is not extending into any restricted area or travel lane.

§ 141-18 Downtown Resident parking permit.

When a vehicle, truck, trailer or tractor-trailer is backed to the curb for the purpose of loading or unloading merchandise, in which case the vehicle, truck, trailer or tractor-trailer shall be turned so as to stand as near parallel to the curb as possible, and a person shall not stand or park a vehicle so as to obstruct the view of any traffic control device of other drivers traveling upon such a street.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Original § 166-17D of the 2013 Code, regarding standing or parking of vehicles on roadways between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection C, allow or permit a motor vehicle to stand unattended on any public highway within the City of Dover without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition and removing the key from the vehicle. Violators will be subject to Table B fines under § 141-23 as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

Display a disability placard issued pursuant to RSA 261:86, 261:87 or 261:88 or a similar placard issued by another state or country displaying the international accessibility symbol while parked in a metered or time-limited parking area unless the person who qualifies for the placard is being transported to or from the vehicle.

§ 141-15 Parking lots.

[Amended 5-25-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.05.11-007; 4-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.03.22-004]

Parking in the City Hall parking lots shall be restricted to one-hour parking, and only while the driver or passenger is conducting business at City Hall, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except for City-owned vehicles.

The McConnell Center/Library parking lot shall be restricted to a three-hour parking limit each day, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the aforesaid lot may only be used on those designated days and times where the driver or a passenger is visiting the Dover Library, Dover City Hall, McConnell Center or the State of New Hampshire Circuit Court, 7th Circuit, District Division. City employees, as well as any vehicle displaying a permit authorized by the Chief of Police, shall be exempt from this provision.

[Amended 8-22-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.08.08-008; 10-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2023.09.27-11]

The Dover School Department is authorized to sell and distribute parking passes for parking motor vehicles in the Bellamy Parking Lot between August 25 and June 20, Monday through Friday or on school days, as set by the Dover School District Calendar, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Parking rules and rates for permits shall be determined by the Dover School Department. Except for five spaces, which shall be marked with appropriate signs and reserved for Bellamy Park users only, no motor vehicle shall be parked in the Bellamy Lot during this time period without the benefit of a permit issued by the School Department. Any vehicle found in violation of this subsection may be towed from the lot and stored, the expenses of both to be paid by the registered owner of the vehicle. The Dover School Department shall have the authority to enforce parking rules in the Bellamy Parking Lot in accordance with the requirements of RSA 262:40-a and shall be responsible for maintenance and snow removal in the lot.

§ 141-16 Winter parking.

[Amended 2-11-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.01.28-002; 12-9-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.10.28-022; 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27; 8-22-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.08.08-008]

The Community Services Director shall have the authority, after consultation with the Chief of Police, to declare a parking ban affecting some or all City streets, adjacent parking areas, sidewalks and parking lots to facilitate municipal snow removal operations. Public notification requirements approved by City Council shall be posted on the City of Dover website and available at the Parking Bureau and Community Services offices. No person shall, during the declared parking ban hours, park or allow to be parked any vehicle on any street or sidewalk within the City of Dover or declared areas thereof. Any vehicle which is parked on a public way during a parking ban time period and which is interfering with municipal snow removal operations may be towed from its place and stored. The expenses of both towing and storage shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle before reacquiring the same.

The Chief of Police shall have the authority to post specific areas within City-controlled parking lots as no parking during a parking ban set forth in Subsection A or other time period. Any vehicle parked in any City-controlled parking lot contrary to the provisions of this section may be towed from its place and stored as directed by the Police Department. The expenses of both towing and storage shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle before reacquiring the same.

§ 141-17 No parking at any time.

The parking of vehicles is prohibited at all times in those streets or parts of streets described in Schedule I (§ 141-48).

[Amended 4-15-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.03.25-010; 12-9-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.10.28-023; 5-25-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.05.11-007; 12-26-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.10.12-013; 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27; 8-22-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.08.08-008; 10-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.09.26-010; 5-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019.05.08-009; 7-22-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.07.08-005]

The Police Department is authorized to sell and distribute parking permits for residents of downtown who reside within 200 feet of an authorized residential parking area. Permits shall be valid for such periods of time, location and under such conditions as provided by the Police Department on or with such permits.

A maximum of one residential parking permit may be issued per legal residential unit upon certification that on-site parking is unavailable. Permits shall be assigned to specific vehicles owned by occupants of such residential unit. Permits are only valid for the nearest parking area designated by the Police Department for a particular residential unit.

The City has discontinued issuance of residential parking permits for certain locations previously set forth in this subparagraph, with transition provisions as follows. Tenants who were previously issued and hold residential permits as of March 9, 2022 for use in the metered parking garage, City-controlled parking lots, or for use on Main Street, St. John Street, or School Street (angled spaces only), may continue to use those permits until the expiration or surrender of those permits; no new residential permits shall be issued for use in these aforesaid locations. Tenants who were previously issued and hold residential parking permits on First or Second Street as of November 1, 2021 may continue to use those permits until the expiration or surrender of such permits and not thereafter; no new residential parking permits shall be issued for First Street or Second Street.

[Amended 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021.10.13-009; 3-9-2022 by Ord. No. O-2022.02.23-003]

Residential parking permits are not intended for long-term storage of vehicles, and any vehicle remaining in the same space or the same parking garage for more than five consecutive days without notification to and the approval of the Police Department shall have its permit revoked, and the vehicle may be towed at the owner's expense. Notice of this requirement shall be provided with each residential parking permit issued.

The Police Department, on a yearly basis, shall verify the residential status of each permit holder and require a signed statement from the applicant as to his/her qualifications to obtain a residential parking permit.

Accepted documentation to qualify for a residential permit is a lease or utility bill in the applicant's name demonstrating a qualified address, and absent either of those two, a vehicle registered to a qualified address and verification by the property owner.

Any misrepresentation regarding the application for or use of a residential parking permit, any unauthorized transfer of the permit, or any other misuse of the permit shall be cause for its revocation by the Police Department.

This section does not authorize resident parking permits for residential developments that have insufficient on-site parking and were approved as "commercial ventures" by the Planning Board.

The rate for the permits shall be set and/or adjusted by the City Council during the annual Fee Schedule adoption.

§ 141-19 Limited-time parking.

The parking of vehicles is hereby prohibited in the locations described in Schedule J (§ 141-49) for a longer period of time than that designated, during the hours indicated.

§ 141-20 Business parking permit program.

[Added 5-25-2016 by Ord. No. 2016.05.11-007]

The Police Department is authorized to sell and distribute monthly parking permits for the parking of vehicles in any business parking permit zone listed in § 141-52, Schedule M.

Permits shall be valid for such periods of time, location and under such conditions as provided by the Police Department on or with such permits.

[Amended 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27]

Parking permits are not intended for long-term storage of vehicles, and any vehicle remaining in the same space or parking garage for more than five consecutive days without notification to and the approval of the Police Department shall have its permit revoked, and the vehicle may be towed at the owner's expense.

[Amended 7-22-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.07.08-005]

The rate for the permits shall be set and/or adjusted by the City Council during the annual Fee Schedule adoption.

Business parking permit zones in the City of Dover shall be set forth in § 141-52, Schedule M, Business Parking Permit Zones, unless otherwise posted.

§ 141-21 Exceptions.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to those who have obtained a special temporary parking permit from the Chief of Police and are following the instructions provided with such permit.

In any area in which parking is restricted, except the no-parking areas on the Central Avenue Bridge, the restriction shall not apply to vehicles loading or unloading when such loading and unloading is actually being accomplished and when such vehicle does not unreasonably block or impede traffic.

§ 141-22 Police officer's report.

Any police officer observing a violation of §§ 141-13 through 141-19 of this chapter shall issue a parking ticket, the copy of which shall be considered his report of the violation. The report shall contain information as follows:

The location of the vehicle in violation of this chapter.

The state license plate number of the vehicle in violation.

The time and date such vehicle is parked in violation.

Any other pertinent facts which are necessary for a thorough understanding of the circumstances of the violation.

§ 141-23 First notice of violation; payment tables.

[Amended 2-11-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.01.28-003; 3-11-2015 by Ord. No. 2015.02.25-009; 4-12-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.03.22-004; 8-22-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.08.08-008; 10-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018.09.26-010; 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001; 12-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.11.18-014; 9-28-2022 by Ord. No. 2022.09.14-011; 10-11-2023 by Ord. No. 2023.09.27-11; 10-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024.09.11-7]

Late notice. If the fine indicated for the initial violation is not paid within 10 days, the Chief of Police shall send a late notice to the owner of the vehicle. Such notice shall be sent to the primary owner as listed with the motor vehicle department of the state in which the vehicle is registered. The late notice shall be sent by first class mail and shall instruct the vehicle owner that he/she may avoid further prosecution and fine by paying the City of Dover the amount in the applicable payment schedule for that violation.

All parking violations enumerated in §§ 141-13 through 141-38 shall be Table A violations as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council, except as follows:

Violations of §§ 141-13E(1), 141-13E(6) and F, 141-14A(9) and (12) and E, 141-16A and 141-31A(3)(a)(4) shall be Table B violations as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

Violations of §§ 141-13E(5) shall be subject to the specific fine amount set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

Violations of §§ 141-14A(11) and F, and § 141-31E shall be Table C violations as set forth in the Fine Schedule as adopted by City Council.

§ 141-25 Payment not an admission of guilt.

Chronic offenders within the meaning of § 141-31D shall be fined in an amount as set forth in the Fine Schedule adopted by the City Council.

Parking violation Tables A, B, and C fines shall be as set forth in the Fine Schedule adopted by City Council.

§ 141-24 Final notice of violation.

Final notice. If the fine indicated for the initial violation is not paid within 10 days, the Chief of Police shall send a final notice of violation to the owner of the vehicle. Such notice shall be sent to the primary owner as listed with the motor vehicle department of the state in which the vehicle is registered. The late notice shall be sent by first class mail and shall instruct the vehicle owner that he/she may avoid further prosecution and fine by paying the City of Dover Police Department the final notice payment in the applicable payment schedule for that violation.

Final notice requirement waiver. If the final notice of violation required in Subsection A above is returned to the Police Department by the United States Postal Service as undeliverable to the addressee for any reason, the notice returned shall be considered evidence that the Police Department has complied with the provisions of Subsection A.

Such payment as outlined in §§ 141-23 and 141-24 of this chapter shall not constitute an admission of guilt nor a determination of guilt.

§ 141-26 Summons to court; towing or immobilization of motor vehicle for nonpayment of parking fines.

Any person to whom is sent or issued notification of a violation or violations of the preceding sections of this article and who does not pay the charges prescribed above may be summoned to the Dover District Court. The penalty for a violation of this article in such case shall be no less that the fine indicated in § 141-23, no portion of which may be suspended. If a person fails to appear after being summonsed, the vehicle involved shall be subject to immobilization in accordance with Subsection B below.

Any vehicle found parked on any public street, parking lot or any other place, registered in the name of an owner who has three or more outstanding parking violation final notices for violations of this article, may be subject to towing and storage or immobilization by the Police Department, provided notice of intent to tow and store or immobilize said vehicle has been sent to the address listed with the state motor vehicle department of the state in which the vehicle is registered.

[Amended 2-12-2020 by Ord. No. 2020.01.08-001]

Said notice shall contain the following information:

(a)

The date, time and location of the violations leading to the issuance of this notice.

(b)

That the subject vehicle shall be subject to towing and storage or immobilization after a specific date of not less than five days subsequent to the date of the notice unless the matter is resolved.

(c)

That the recipient of the notice may contact the Police Department and request a hearing on the subject of the violations.

Hearing.

(a)

At the request of any recipient of a notice pursuant to this section, the designated member of the Police Department shall arrange a hearing. Such designated member of the Police Department shall conduct and preside over such hearings which shall be informal. At such hearing, the owner of the motor vehicle that is the subject of the hearing may present any relevant facts or information on the issue. The decision of the hearing officer shall be final, subject only to a judicial review.

(b)

Upon receipt of the request for a hearing, a vehicle shall not be towed and stored or immobilized until such requested hearing is conducted.

Any vehicle towed and stored or immobilized in accordance with the preceding may be released as follows:

By payment of all charges due, including an administrative fee, as set forth in the Fee Schedule as adopted by City Council.

[Amended 10-11-2017 by Ord. No. 2017.09.27]

By order of the Chief of Police or the person designated to conduct hearings in accordance with Subsection B(2)(a) above, after a hearing has been conducted.

By posting cash bond with the Police Department in an amount sufficient to make full payment of all parking charges due arising out of violations subject to the provisions of this chapter in order to allow judicial determination regarding the matter in question.