During a parking ban in Portland, it’s important to find a safe and legal place to park. The city offers several designated locations for overnight parking. Most parking bans in Portland start at 10 PM, except in the Old Port neighborhood, where they begin at 1 AM. Below is a list of approved parking areas:
Official Snow Ban Parking Locations:
Dougherty Field Skate Park – Use the parking lot accessible from the St. James Street side.
Deering Oaks Park – Parking is permitted only on the left side of Tennis Court Road. No parking is allowed on the right side.
Fitzpatrick Stadium Parking Lot – Located behind the Ice Arena. Do not park directly next to the Ice Arena.
Portland Public School Parking Lots – Available for use except for the Reiche School lots that border the school, playground, soccer field, and pool on Clark and Brackett Streets. All vehicles must be removed by 6:30 a.m.
Cutter Street Parking Lots – Located off the Eastern Promenade.
Beach Street Lot – Accessible from Commercial Street after 8 p.m.
City Lot at Park & Commercial Streets – Also known as Angelo’s Acre (441 Commercial Street), located across from the International Marine Terminal (IMT).
Peaks Island Parking – Snow ban parking is available at the Welch Street parking lot.
Western Promenade – Parking allowed along the entire waterside of the Western Prom.
Eastern Promenade – Parking permitted from Turner Street to East End School property, up to light pole #33 (waterside).
Marginal Way – Parking is allowed from Plowman Street to just before the entrance to the East End Wastewater Treatment Plant (waterside).
Important Note: Avoid parking here if there is flooding or standing water. Parking is not allowed in the Maine DOT Park & Ride lot.
Preble Street Extension Parking Lot – Located across from Hannaford. Only park in designated snow ban parking spaces.
State Street Extension – Parking is available between Forest Avenue and Park Avenue, across from the entrance to Deering Oaks Park.
Only park on the left side of the road, where parking is typically allowed.
Be mindful of any no parking signs near Forest Avenue.
By following these guidelines, you can avoid fines and towing while ensuring the city’s plows can clear the streets efficiently. Be sure to check for updates on parking bans and always remove your vehicle by the required time!
Any vehicle left on city streets during a parking ban will be towed at the owner’s expense. Vehicles removed during a citywide or peninsula zone parking ban are taken to the city’s impound lot, located at the Ocean Gateway Marine Terminal next to the Maine State Pier (40 Commercial Street). The impound lot remains open throughout the parking ban and until 7 p.m. For assistance, call 207-774-3025. Unclaimed vehicles may later be relocated to the towing company’s individual impound lots.
Yellow Zone Parking Bans
For certain parking bans, the City of Portland may enforce a restriction limited to the Yellow Zone, as shown on the map above. The Yellow Zone snow ban is used to allow crews to perform snow hauling following major snow storms as it is important to clear the narrow downtown streets.
