Do I have to pay to park? Is a parking pass required?
It depends on where you park. No, a parking pass is not required.
All on-street parking downtown is free 2-hour parking. Our Red, Gold, Black and Brown Bear Lots are free all-day lots. The parking lot at the corner of Craven & Pollock streets is a paid parking lot. Parking costs $1/hour or $8/day, along with a one-time .45 cent transaction fee (per transaction). Sundays are free in the Pollock Street Lot.
For a map of locations of our Bear Lots, visit the city website at www.newbernnc.gov/parking.
Where can I park to avoid 2 HR parking?
The City has three lots, called Bear Lots, that allow free unlimited parking, unless stated otherwise on the lot signage. 2 HR parking is only in the Downtown Commercial Business District and as designated by signage. The Bear Lots are: Red Bear, Gold Bear and Black Bear. The signage coordinates with the lot color designation. These parking lots are identified on the map on this website.
How do I find the Bear Lots & why are they called Bear Lots?
Look for the directional signage at each intersection downtown. These are large circular white & blue signs with a “P” on them with directional red arrows. Follow the arrow to the next intersection to find the nearest Bear Lot. Additionally, downtown businesses know the location of these lots, and many have a decal in their storefront that lets you know which is the nearest all day lot. New Bern is known as the Bear City, and you will see bears represented throughout the city in various ways. The newest free, all-day parking lot is at the corner of Pollock & Fleet streets and it's called the Brown Bear Lot.
I don't see any Handicap spaces, where can I park?
All street spaces are considered handicap spaces if you have an unexpired handicap placard or tag. Vehicles displaying either are exempt from the 2 HR ordinance. Handicap vehicles must adhere to all other applicable ordinances. Handicap spaces are available in the Bear lots, too.
How much is a parking ticket?
$25.00, unless issued as a warning. Warning tickets carry no fine but remain on file for the violation for which they were issued. After 30 days unpaid, tickets double to $50.00. After 60 days unpaid it goes to collections. Tickets are always issued at the discretion of the officer on duty. Once you have received a warning for a specific violation, repeating that violation may result in receiving a fine in the future.
How will I know I received a ticket?
Any ticket issued will be placed on your car.
How do I pay a ticket?
Tickets can be paid online via the city website link listed on the ticket or in person at the New Bern Police Department, Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm at 601 George Street. Online payments are by card only. In person payments are by cash, check and money order only. Please refer to the PAY MY TICKET section on the city website. https://www.newbernnc.gov/parking/
Does a parking ticket go against my driving record?
No. Parking tickets are civil penalties.
Can I appeal a ticket?
Yes. Go to the City of New Bern website section for Parking and Transportation at the following address, https://www.newbernnc.gov/parking/ and select “Appeal my Ticket”.
How will I know if my appeal was approved or denied?
If you appeal a ticket, a decision will be made, and a response will be sent to the email address provided in the appeal.
How do you know how long I've been parked?
Cars are electronically "chalked" with a handheld GPS enabled device by scanning the license plate to record its location and time.
Can you see my driving record and registration with the handheld device?
No. The parking control program does not access the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles Database. If the parking fine exceeds 30 days without payment, registered owner information is provided by the company to the City of New Bern for billing purposes.
Can you tell if a ticket has been issued to the same car before?
Yes. Our program alerts Parking Control of prior parking violations.
Do you "boot" or "tow" cars that have received parking tickets?
The City of New Bern does not "boot" vehicles for parking violations. Vehicles can be towed for illegally parking in leased parking spaces that are clearly marked. Please read signs carefully.
What does a ticket for "Failure to park within the lines" mean exactly?
This means you parked in such a manner that you either took up more than one space when your car didn’t need it, you are outside the lines into the roadway constituting a safety issue or traffic flow issue, you parked where no actual lined parking space existed, or possibly parked up on the sidewalk impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic. Your car must fit within the white lined designated space in all directions, front to back, curb to street. Should you have an unusually large vehicle, please try to park off street in one of the Bear Lots.
What if my vehicle is too large for one space & I need more space, for example, I have a motorhome?
: Should you have an unusually large vehicle, are towing a boat, a trailer, etc., please try to park off street in one of the Bear Lots. For this purpose, the Gold & Black Bear Lots would be better choices due to the size of those lots compared to Red Bear and are far easier to navigate a larger rig. If this is not an option, please consider parking in the 100 block of Middle or Craven Streets as those blocks often are less congested and easier to navigate. Additionally, free parking with no 2 HR limit is available at Union Point Park. You are required to only take the number of spaces needed to fit your vehicle, whatever size it may be. For example, if you have a motorhome, you may need 2-3 spaces.
I have a trailer I am towing. Can I park and unhook the trailer and leave it?
No. Per City Ordinance, all trailers must stay attached to the vehicle. Trailers left unattached are in violation and subject to being fined and possibly towed.
Can I park in a space that indicates it is for a permit holder?
No. Unless you are the permit holder, you are not allowed to park in that space and are subject to ticketing and towing. Please note that some permit spaces will indicate specific times that parking by permit is enforced. Use caution parking off street in any lot as some are privately owned where towing may occur. Please refer to any signage at the entrance to any parking lot for guidance.
I want to get a permit to have a leased parking space. What do I do?
Contact the City of New Bern Finance Office at (252) 639-2720. This office is responsible for issuance of permits and the collection of information and pertinent fees. They can advise if any leased parking spaces are available.
: I am a lease holder and have a permit space. What do I do if someone is parked in my space?
The City of New Bern has a service agreement with J&S Wrecker Service. If someone is illegally parked in your leased parking space, contact J&S Wrecker Service at (252) 672-8981 and they will come tow the car at the vehicle owners expense. J&S Wrecker Service information is also posted on signs at the entrance to these leased lots.
Why can't I park facing against traffic?
Parking against the flow of traffic is a serious safety issue and can result in collisions. For this reason, it is not permitted.