Let the grumbling begin. The calendar has turned to April, and the covers have come off meters in the downtown and waterfront area. It’s time to start paying for parking again.
And like chirping birds, spring also brings the harping of Park Plymouth’s critics, the private company contracted by the town to manage parking. Its enforcement officers don’t get much love from the public, but Park Plymouth’s job is to keep precious spaces in regular circulation.
The prime enforcement tool – a ticket – doesn’t go down well with folks who believe all Plymouth residents should receive free year-round parking passes. Never mind that there are only about 1,500 paid parking spots and more than 60,000 registered vehicles. (Maybe basic math should be a requirement for getting a driver’s license.)
With that reality check, here’s some essential information you need for the 2025 paid parking season, which starts April 1 and expires Dec. 1.
It costs $2 an hour to park in most instances – from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, including holidays – which is the same price as last year.
At 70 pages, the town’s “Traffic Rules and Order” document feels like punishment all by itself. To spare you the pain, I scanned through it – not while driving – and found 17 types of violations. Most come with a $30 fine, and a $20 surcharge on top if the ticket isn’t paid or appealed within 21 days. A few fines are higher, such as for obstructing a crosswalk ($40), though I’ve never seen that rule enforced.
If you don’t pay up within 42 days, “your vehicle registration will be sent to the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to be marked for non-renewal,” according to Park Plymouth. In that event, you’ll have to shell out another $20 to “‘clear’ your registration of the marked citation.”
It doesn’t have to be so stressful. The Passport app can make dealing with paid parking easier. You can pay by phone, get an alert when the meter is about to expire, and add more minutes, all without having to interrupt an early dinner or a shopping stop.
There are also about 40 free 15-to-20-minute spaces in the downtown and waterfront area, and 190 free two-hour spaces on Court and Main streets, and along Main Street Extension. With fewer restaurants expected to offer outdoor dining this year, more of those free spaces should remain available. But remember, you’re still subject to being ticketed if you exceed the posted time limit before 7 p.m.
The parking deck on South Russell Street (across from Town Hall) is always a good option if you don’t mind walking back up the hill. It costs just $1 an hour and $5 for all-day on the lower level. The upper level, along with two small lots behind Town Hall (Cornish and Burton), have the same rates, but only after 12 p.m. on Friday, and all day on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. At other times, parking in those lots is restricted to town employees.
If you work downtown, the best strategy might be to buy a parking pass. Prices have gone up this year and range from $55 to $275. (Note: Time limits in free spaces still apply to pass holders.)
If you’re planning to mostly be on the waterfront, consider parking in one of the 80 free spaces across from 225 Water St. There are 49 more free spaces at Nelson Park just up the street, but those are typically in short supply during late spring and summer.
One caveat: Free parking at the Jenney Pond lot will be limited because of ongoing restoration work. Normally, there are 96 spaces there and it’s an easy stroll through Brewster Gardens to Water Street or downtown (thanks to the steps that now connect the park to Main Street Extension).
Don’t worry – there won’t be a quiz on this in the morning.
Mark Pothier can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.