Meters and disabled placards
Do I have to pay the meter with a disabled placard?
State law allows free parking in any city or town, including fee-charging state or municipal facilities, with disability plates or a hanging placard, but only when the qualifying person is being transported to or from the parking place.
- Each city or town has discretion to set the time periods, using guidelines from the governor's commission on disability.
- Free parking applies only if the person who qualifies is being transported.
Confirmed from official sourceVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“shall be allowed free parking in any city or town, including any state or municipal parking facility where a fee is charged” (RSA 265:74 - Parking Privileges for Persons With Walking Disability)
Disabled parking placards
Who can get a disabled parking placard, and are other states' placards honored?
People with a walking disability certified by a physician, physician associate, podiatrist or advanced practice registered nurse can get plates or a placard. Temporary placards last up to 6 months. We could not confirm from an official page whether other states' placards are honored.
- Qualifying conditions include needing a brace, cane or other device to walk, certain lung or heart limits, or portable oxygen.
- Standard placards expire with the holder's driver's license or ID card.
- RSA 265:74 refers to plates under RSA 261:88 or a similar plate with the international accessibility symbol, and does not clearly say whether out-of-state ones count.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: noVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“a disability which limits or impairs a person's ability to walk” (RSA 261:88 - Special Plates and Placards for Persons With Walking Disability)
“a similar license plate displaying the international accessibility symbol” (RSA 265:74 - Parking Privileges for Persons With Walking Disability)
Time limits and overtime
How long can I stay in a time-limited space, and what happens if I overstay?
Set by cities. Example city: Manchester has 2-hour parking zones where you must move to another block after 2 hours, plus 10-hour zones. Check posted signs and meters.
- Manchester example only; other New Hampshire cities and towns differ.
- Manchester lists meter enforcement Monday through Friday, 8am-8pm.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“You must move vehicle to another block after 2 hours” (Example city: Manchester - On Street and Off Street Parking)
Snow emergencies and street cleaning
When do I have to move my car for snow or street cleaning?
Set by cities and towns. Example city: Manchester bans parking on all city streets when a snow emergency is declared, and vehicles in violation can be towed and impounded.
- Manchester example only; other New Hampshire communities differ.
- Manchester sends text and email alerts for snow emergencies.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“No parking on any city street when a snow emergency is declared.” (Example city: Manchester - Winter Parking)
“Any vehicle parked in violation of a Snow Emergency declaration is subject to towing and impoundment.” (Example city: Manchester - Winter Parking)
Overnight parking and permits
Can I park on the street overnight?
Set by cities and towns. Example city: Manchester has an overnight winter odd/even parking ban from December 1 to April 15, and no overnight parking on the circular part of dead-end cul-de-sacs.
- From 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM you park only on the odd side in odd months and the even side in even months.
- Manchester example only; other New Hampshire communities differ.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“No overnight parking is allowed on the circular portion of dead-end cul-de-sacs.” (Example city: Manchester - Winter Parking)
“only on the even-numbered side of a street on even-numbered calendar months” (Example city: Manchester - Winter Parking)
Towing and fines
What can I be fined or towed for, and how do I get my car back?
For private lots and garages, towing and storage charges cannot be assessed against the owner unless conspicuous notice of towing is posted. The last registered owner is generally responsible for reasonable costs. Parking fines are set locally.
- Removal must be done in a reasonable manner and towing and storage costs must be reasonable.
- The last registered owner is not responsible if they show an earlier transfer of ownership or that the vehicle was reported stolen.
- This covers private property and state park-and-ride facilities, not ordinary street tickets.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“be the responsibility of the last registered owner according to department records” (RSA 262:40-a - Vehicles Removed From Private and State Property)
Ask about parking rules
COMING SOONSoon you will be able to ask a question and get an answer from these verified rules, with the source.
General information, not legal advice. Local signs and ordinances always apply.
