City Council Votes to Simplify Downtown Parking Rates, Offers A Bigger Discount for Residents

In a unanimous vote on March 18, 2024, the Portsmouth City Council adopted the recommendation of the City’s Parking Division to change the 2012 Parking Ordinance which sets all on street and City parking lot rates to the same price. The change will go into effect on Monday, April 15. The new ordinance does not affect rates in the Foundry or Hanover garages.

Previously, the ordinance created two zones for metered parking based on location. The revised ordinance places both areas in one zone. It sets the rates for all on street and parking lot inventory to $2 per hour for the first three hours, and $5 per hour after that. The ordinance changes also include a price reduction for residents paying with the ParkMobile app – resulting in a discounted rate of $1.25 per hour for the first three hours and $2.25 per hour after that. 

Interested users may download the free ParkMobile app from their device’s app store. Residents can apply for the discount at the Parking Division offices in the Foundry Garage at any time. Parking staff will provide 30 minutes of validated parking to complete the application. Residents will need the following to qualify for the discount program:

• A valid New Hampshire driver’s license with a Portsmouth address;
• A current vehicle registration with Portsmouth address (for each vehicle); and 
• Either a current utility bill or a current fully executed rental agreement showing the applicant’s name and Portsmouth address. 

Every two years residents must renew their status to qualify for discounted parking. Users who qualify will automatically see the discount pricing when using the ParkMobile app. Parking enforcement hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm and Sunday, 12 noon to 8 pm, except on designated holidays. For more information, visit the Parking webpage.