Enjoy two weeks of free holiday parking at downtown Portsmouth parking meters from Dec. 9 through Dec. 25. The City Council recently authorized the Parking and Transportation Division to forego parking meter collection enforcement during the Christmas shopping season again this year. However, posted time limits are still in effect, so no Bogarting the metered spaces. As always, other parking violations also will be ticketed, such as unauthorized parking in handicapped spaces or in loading zones.

Also, the meters will kindly remind you of the city’s holiday spirit by displaying cards inside the meter window that say: “Season’s Greetings—Free Parking” and indicate the time limit for that parking space.

For longer term parking, a Downtown Parking Validation from a participating merchant gets you up to four hours of free parking at the garage. Participating merchants display a blue sticker with letter “P” in their storefront windows.

The city also reminds residents that they’re eligible for a city-issued coupon which allows them to park at the High-Hanover garage for just $3 during snow emergencies.

Vehicles may be parked at the covered parking lot for up to two hours in advance of the official start of a parking ban on City streets, but must be moved within two hours after its official end in order to remain eligible for the $3 rate upon exiting the garage.

Coupons are available at the Parking Office, Room 223A in City Hall. There is no fee to obtain the coupons, but proof of Portsmouth residency must be presented.

The Department of Public Works announces snow bans on Local Government Cable Channel 22, through a recording on the snow phone at 603-766-7669 (SNO-SNOW), at www.cityofportsmouth.com, in announcements in the local media and on signs at all entrances to the City. A similar procedure is used to announce the ban’s end. A map of parking lots open during parking bans also is available at www.cityofportsmouth.com.