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Maine Statewide Rule

Maine state law: on-street parking restrictions

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Maine (2026)

Key Facts

Statute
29-A MRS § 2068
Clear-passage rule
10 feet minimum
Sight-line rule
300 feet beyond parked vehicle
Removal authority
29-A MRS § 2074
Local rule basis
30-A MRS § 3001 (home rule)
Last verified: August 20, 2026

Summary

Maine statute 29-A MRS § 2068 sets the statewide on-street parking baseline (10-foot clear passage, 300-foot sight line, no parking in restricted zones). Time limits, residential permit zones, and winter parking bans are set by municipal ordinance under 30-A MRS § 3001 home-rule authority.

A. A person may not park a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, on the traveled portion of a public way outside of a business or residence district when it is practicable to park off of the way.

Full Breakdown

Per 29-A MRS § 2068 (Stopping, standing or parking), a person may not park a vehicle on a public way unless (1) a clear and unobstructed width of at least 10 feet is left for free passage of other vehicles on the way and (2) an approaching vehicle has a clear view of the way for 300 feet beyond the parked vehicle, before approaching within 200 feet of it. The statute also prohibits parking on a traffic lane, deceleration lane, acceleration lane, bridge, or on the shoulder to the left of traffic lanes on a limited-access highway, and prohibits stopping, standing, or parking in violation of any restriction posted by sign by the Maine Department of Transportation.

Maine sets no statewide overnight on-street parking ban or maximum-hours rule; those windows are set by municipal ordinance under 30-A MRS § 3001 (Ordinance Power) home-rule authority. Most Cumberland County coastal municipalities and many northern-Maine towns operate a winter parking ban running November 1 through April 1 (or November 15 through April 15) to allow plowing. Per 29-A MRS § 2074 (Removal of vehicles), a law-enforcement officer may have a violating vehicle towed at the owner's expense.

Violations & Penalties

Violation of 29-A MRS § 2068 is a traffic infraction enforced by state and municipal police; fines are set in the Maine Uniform Fine Schedule (typically $50-$200). Local parking-ticket fines are set by municipal ordinance (commonly $15-$50 per violation, escalating on repeat or in winter-ban violations). Vehicles may be towed under 29-A MRS § 2074.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maine set a statewide overnight street parking ban?
No. Overnight parking restrictions, alternate-side parking, and winter parking bans (a Maine staple to allow snowplows to clear streets) are set by individual city or town ordinance under 30-A MRS § 3001 home-rule authority. Many Maine municipalities ban on-street parking from November 1 through April 1, typically between 10 PM or midnight and 6 or 7 AM.
How close to a fire hydrant may I park in Maine?
Maine state law (29-A MRS § 2068) requires a clear passage and proper sight line and prohibits parking in violation of any signed restriction. Most Maine municipal ordinances mirror the typical 10-15 foot setback from a hydrant adopted nationwide; check the local code for the exact distance.
Can my car be towed for a parking violation in Maine?
Yes. Per 29-A MRS § 2074, a law-enforcement officer may remove or order the removal of a vehicle parked in violation of state or local law. The owner pays towing and storage costs.

Sources

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