ROCKLAND — A new parking program in Downtown Rockland will take effect May 15, 2026, stretching through the tourist season to October 15, 2026.

The program establishes permit parking for employees on side streets, and metered parking for the public at designated parking lots in the area.

Following some last minute amendments at a special meeting, April 15, City Council members adopted the following:

Rockland resident parking decals

Any Rockland resident that registers their vehicle in Rockland is eligible to obtain a decal that would allow the vehicle to park in a metered space for up to two hours per day without paying the current metered parking rate. 

The resident parking decal shall permit up to two-hours of free parking in the following metered parking area: Main Street, Custom House Parking Lot (non-designated permit parking spaces), Thorndike Parking Lot, Winter Street Parking Lot, Elm Street, Orient Street, Museum Street, School Street, Custom House Place, Lindsey Street and Summer Street. 

Decals for this resident parking exemption shall be issued by the City Clerk’s Office with proof of vehicle registration within the City. Such decals shall be displayed in the lower left hand corner of the rear window of the vehicle to which it is affixed. All designated handicapped and veteran parking spaces shall be exempt from metered parking. 

Timed free parking

The City’s Parking Ordinance establishes 2-hour parking in Buoy Park, adds 2-hour parking on the west side of Main Street from Cottage Street to Warren Street, makes 20-minutes parking on Limerock Street between Main Street and Union Street, and removes the 2-hour parking restriction on the public parking spaces in the Leland Street parking lot.

Side-Street permit parking

Permit parking for non-resident property/business owners and employees will be designated to the following side streets: Orient Street, Elm Street, Museum Street, School Street, Custom House Place, Lindsey Street and Summer Street (between Union Street and Main Street). Tillson Avenue is also listed as a permit-required area for employees.

Fees for annual permits shall be set by Order of the City Council. Such permits shall be displayed in the lower left hand corner of the rear window of the vehicle to which it is affixed.

Metered parking at $2 per hour

Metered parking will be found at Elm Street, Museum Street, School Street, Custom House Place, and Main Street from Park Street to Summer Street.

Multi-space Pay Station Kiosks will be used for paid parking in City parking lots and designated streets on a seasonal basis. The paid parking season is established beginning May 15 and ending October 15 of each year. Multi-space Pay Stations and Kiosk parking fees shall be set by Order of the City Council.

Employee permit parking rates

Custom House Parking Lot: Monthly $40; Annual $440;

Thorndike Parking Lot: Monthly $20; Annual $50;

Winter Street Parking Lot Permits: Monthly $20; Annual $50;

Side Street Parking Permits: Monthly $5; Annual $25.

Free parking

-All parking is free City-wide on Sundays

-Before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

-City wide October 16 - May 14 (except overnight in Thorndike and Winter Street lots)

-Harbor Park adjacent to stage

-North Main Street/Leland Street parking lot at designated municipal spaces

-2-hour parking at Buoy Park

-20 minute parking on Limerock Street between Main and Union streets (around the Post Office)

Check out https://RocklandMaine.gov/448/Downtown-Parking for more information.

See our previous article: 

Discussion of permit, metered, free parking in Rockland's Downtown returns during April 15 meeting 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com