DOVER - As of early this morning, motorists will be towed and fined for parking in certain areas in the downtown to allow the city to remove residual snow along the streets.

The emergency parking ban, which is coupled with the regular winter parking restrictions, took effect just after midnight and continues until 6 p.m. Vehicles parked downtown after 1 a.m. will be towed at the vehicle owner's expense, according to a release by the city.

Until April 1, parked vehicles must be removed from all city streets between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. - regardless of the weather or forecast - and vehicles in city lots must display a winter permit, which can be obtained for free at the police department, 24 hours a day.

Normally, owners of vehicles which remain on the streets are issued a $15 parking ticket, but during the emergency parking ban, vehicles may be parked in any city-controlled parking lot without a winter parking pass, according to a release from the city.

Parking Manager Bill Simons previously said the annual parking restrictions have been successful and enabled snow removal crews a chance to clear the streets after a storm, according to the release. The parking restrictions allow snow removal crews from Community Services crews to clear downtown streets and sidewalks and prepare for future storms.

The general area included in the emergency parking ban includes Chestnut Street to the west, Main Street to the east, Sixth Street to the north and Hale Street to the south. A map of the area included in the emergency parking ban can be found at dover.nh.gov.

jquinn@newstote.com