8) Periodically certify that the majority of households within an established zone still support the
program.
Additional detail on this proposed program can be reviewed starting on page 14 of this document.
BACKGROUND
Per the City of Nashua’s Code of Ordinances, under Part Il (General Legislation), Chapter 320 (Vehicles and
Traffic), Article XIll (Night Parking), individuals may not park on City Streets for longer than two
consecutive hours between midnight (12:00 4AM} and 6:00 AM at any time without a permit. Discussions
with City staff indicate this ordinance was originally adopted in the 1930's as a public safety measure
against individuals parking outside private homes and businesses to observe those structures prior to the
commission of a crime. When initially enacted, this was a blanket prohibition across the entirety of
Nashua without exception.
Review of the City’s Code suggests that an amendment ({320-78.1) to this blanket prohibition was
introduced in 2013, allowing for overnight parking of private vehicles on selected city streets by permit
only. The Code indicates a maximum limit of 550 permits could be applied for and issued te residents
living at select addresses or streets where overnight parking by permit was authorized. Currently, there
are a total of forty defined areas on thirty-two streets where overnight parking by permit is allowed.
individuals wishing to receive a permit to park overnight on designated streets must prove residency on
one of the authorized streets or at twelve authorized areas as defined in the Code. There is no limit on
the number of permits a qualified resident can receive, but each permit must be specific to a private
vehicle registered to the place of residence; qualified residents may not purchase a permit for a
commercial or recreation vehicle or boat.
Permits cost $10.00 per year currently and allow the holder to park overnight in authorized areas where
parking is alowed and under conditions where parking is authorized. Permit holders may not park in areas
not designated for parking, may not park on the street during snow emergencies or when street
maintenance is scheduled, and may not remain in the same space for more than 48 consecutive hours. All
proceeds from permit sales are dedicated to covering the cost of the program first, with any surplus
revenues pledged to neighborhood improvements in the area where the program is executed. Violators
of the overnight parking regulations are subject to parking citation and associated fine of $25.00, which
increases to $35.00 if not paid within seven days of issue.
A search of news articles indicates that the question of overnight parking has consistently been debated
by residents and city leaders for well over a decade as Nashua has grown and increased in density,
especially in those neighborhoods closest to the downtown core. As DESMAN understands it, this study
was sparked by a request fram a member of the Board of Alderman asking for a third-party examination
of the policy in light of changes in residential dwelling and commuting patterns provoked by the COVID-
19 pandemic.
METHODOLOGY
DESMAN initiated our course of study with a series of structured virtual “Town Hall’ meetings with the
residents of each Ward within the City of Nashua. These meetings lasted between 60 and 90 minutes and
length and were conducted over a period of seven weeks in January, February and March of 2021.
