DETAILS ON PROPOSED ROCHESTER DOWNTOWN PARKING UPDATE

Rochester, NH January 20, 2026

A detailed draft plan for Rochester’s first paid parking program is being presented to City Council tonight. The proposal outlines metered hours, rates, permits, and fines. Below are the key points residents, workers, and visitors are most likely to care about.

Proposed metered hours

• 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Monday through Saturday

Proposed hourly rates

• Hours 1–3: $1 per hour

• Hours 4–6: $2 per hour

• Hours 7–10: $3 per hour

• Maximum daily total: $21

Free parking exemption

• Handicap and Veteran plates: first 3 hours free

• Applies only if the driver is the veteran assigned to the plate

Payment methods

• Pay-by-plate kiosks

• Mobile app

• Text-to-pay

Monthly permit parking

• “Closer” lots: $50 per month

• “Farther” lots: $25 per month

Winter parking change under discussion

• Eliminating winter parking permits

• Moving to designated storm parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis

This plan is still a proposal and has not been finalized.

Question for the community:Do you think this approach improves downtown parking turnover, or does it primarily place an added burden on downtown workers and residents?