No More Free Parking for Commercial Vehicles

Within a few weeks commercial vehicles and trucks that have been able to park for free while doing work downtown will have to pay for metered parking instead.

Tom Cocchiaro, the city's parking operations supervisor, announced on Wednesday that beginning on April 1 all commercial vehicles parked in the downtown will have to pay up. He said this rule change also applies to utility companies such as PSNH and Unitil.

"In fairness to those commercial enterprises that currently pay to park in the downtown, and the need to make every space count in generating revenue to support parking improvements, the city is ending that practice March 31," said Cocchiaro.

He said maintenance and service personnel who expect to complete work within the hourly limit of a particular space may simply pay through the pay and display terminals or single space meters. 

"For vehicles expecting to exceed the hourly limit for their space, service personnel will need to purchase commercial meter bags per the city ordinance for commercial parking.  These meter bags are available at the city parking clerk’s office at the Portsmouth City Hall located at 1 Junkins Ave," Cocchiaro noted.

He said one alternative to paying at the meter is to purchase the new EasyPark, in-vehicle parking meters.  He said this new technology allows drivers to pay for only the time used. More information can be found at www.easyparkusa.com. 

Those with questions may contact Cocchiaro at (603) 766-1440 or tacocchiaro@cityofportsmouth; or Mark Nelson, parking and transportation director, at (603) 766-1415 or mcnelson@cityofportsmouth.com.