Mount Desert Parking

Your Complete Guide to Parking in Mount Desert's Villages

Northeast Harbor Seal Harbor Somesville Pretty Marsh

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General Parking Information

Everything you need to know about parking in Mount Desert. From seasonal regulations to winter parking bans, find all essential parking information for our four villages: Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, Somesville, and Pretty Marsh.

Getting Started

1

Check Parking Zone

Determine which village you're in and check posted signs for specific rules and time limits.

2

Understand Seasonal Rules

Summer (May 15 - Oct 30) has time limits and paid parking. Winter (Oct 31 - May 14) has overnight ban.

3

Payment Method

Northeast Harbor offers paid overnight parking at $10/night. Pay via ParkMobile app using Zone 7290. Other areas follow posted time limits.

4

Follow Winter Ban

No parking on ANY Town roads between midnight and 6:00 AM during winter for snow removal.

Important Rules

Handicapped Parking Valid placard required - $250 fine
Winter Parking Ban No street parking midnight-6am (Oct 31-May 14)
Boat Trailers Harbormaster permit required
Posted Signs Always supersede general rules
Abandoned Vehicles Removed after 24 hours

Parking Hours & Seasons

Two Distinct Seasons
  • Summer: May 15 - October 30
  • Winter: October 31 - May 14
  • Time Limits: Various (30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr)
  • Overnight: $10 in Northeast Harbor (ParkMobile Zone 7290)
  • Winter Ban: Midnight - 6:00 AM

Quick Facts

General Fine: $30 (Early payment: $25)
Handicapped Violation: $250
Town Office: (207) 276-5521
Address: 21 Sea Street, Northeast Harbor

Using the Parking Kiosk

2
Enter License Plate

Use the touchscreen to enter your vehicle's license plate number. Double-check for accuracy.

3
Select Duration

Choose how long you want to park. The screen will display the total cost.

4
Make Payment

Pay with credit/debit card, or Apple Pay. Collect your receipt if needed.

Northeast Harbor Parking Map

Northeast Harbor Parking Map
Click to enlarge

Seasonal Parking Regulations

Mount Desert's parking rules change dramatically between summer and winter seasons. Understanding these seasonal differences is crucial for avoiding tickets and towing.

Summer Season

May 15 - October 30

Active Enforcement Period

  • Time Limits: 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr zones enforced
  • Paid Parking: $10/night in Northeast Harbor lots
  • Overnight Street: Generally NO - 24hr abandonment rule
  • Harbor Drive: No overnight parking (year-round)
  • Main St (Seal Harbor): No overnight (summer only)
  • Boat Trailers: Permit required in lots
  • Permits: Required in designated areas

Summer Enforcement Areas

Northeast Harbor Most restrictive - paid overnight available
Seal Harbor Limited parking with time restrictions
Somesville 2-hour limit at library
Pretty Marsh Minimal restrictions except boat ramp

Winter Season

October 31 - May 14

⚠️ CRITICAL WINTER BAN

NO PARKING on ANY Town roads
Midnight - 6:00 AM • Snow Removal
  • Purpose: Snow removal operations
  • Towing: Immediate removal at owner expense
  • Time Limits: Most suspended
  • Municipal Lots: Check individual rules
  • General Rules: Still enforced
  • Fines: Same as summer ($30)

Winter Parking Tips

Residents: Use off-street parking
Visitors: Check with accommodations
Signs: May indicate exceptions
Questions: Call (207) 276-5521

Overnight Parking Information

Overnight parking options vary by season and location. Northeast Harbor offers paid overnight parking during summer, while winter brings a town-wide overnight parking ban.

Overnight Parking Options

$10

Municipal Building Lot

11 overnight spaces • Pay at Multi-Space Pay Station or ParkMobile Zone 7290
Valid 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM • Summer season only

$10

Cranberry Island Parking

14 overnight spaces • Pay at Multi-Space Pay Station or ParkMobile Zone 7290
Valid 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM • Summer season only

$10

Gray Cow Lot (Overflow)

Up to 20 spaces when other lots full • ParkMobile Zone 7290
Located off Main Street & Sea Street • Check signage

WINTER OVERNIGHT PARKING BAN

October 31 - May 14
NO parking on ANY Town road between midnight and 6:00 AM
Strictly enforced for snow removal • Immediate towing

SUMMER OVERNIGHT STREET PARKING

Generally NO overnight street parking due to 24-hour abandonment rule
Harbor Drive (Northeast Harbor): No overnight parking YEAR-ROUND
Main Street (Seal Harbor): No overnight parking SUMMER ONLY

Where Can I Park Overnight?

Paid Lots Only $10/night in designated areas
Private Property With owner's permission
Lodging Facilities Guest parking for customers
Permit Holders Designated permit areas only

Key Information

Overnight Parking Facts
  • Paid Season: May 15 - Oct 30 only
  • Rate: $10 per night (flat fee)
  • Hours: 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM
  • Payment: Multi-Space Pay Stations or ParkMobile Zone 7290
  • Winter: No overnight street parking
  • Location: Northeast Harbor only

Overnight Parking Tips

Arrive Early: Spaces fill quickly in summer
Keep Receipt: Display on dashboard
No In/Out: One payment per night
Boat Owners: Ask about seasonal permits

Other Villages - No Overnight

Seal Harbor No overnight parking in public areas
Somesville No designated overnight parking
Pretty Marsh Bartlett's Landing - permit required

Parking by Village

Mount Desert consists of four unique villages, each with its own parking rules and restrictions. Find specific information for your destination below.

Northeast Harbor

Main commercial center with most parking restrictions

Time-Limited Parking

30-Minute Zones Municipal Business spaces • Town Office area
1-Hour Zones Waterfront • Harbormaster • Municipal Pier
2-Hour Zones Main St • Municipal Lots • Library • Summit Rd
Overnight Parking $10/night • 3 designated lots • Summer only

Seal Harbor

Quieter village with limited parking

Parking Areas

10-Minute Zone Post Office area • Quick errands only
No Overnight Main St • Dock • Beach • Jordan Pond Rd
Boat Owners Mooring permits available • Main St lot

Somesville

Historic village center of Mount Desert Island

Village Center

Library Parking 2-hour limit • Front spaces only
Street Parking Limited availability • Check posted signs
Tourist Tip Popular photo spot • Bridge area busy

Pretty Marsh

Small harbor area with boat access

Bartlett's Landing

No Time Limits Most parking stalls • Day use welcome
Overnight Parking Harbormaster permit required
Accessibility Handicap spaces available
Boat Launch Free public ramp • Trailer parking

Quick Village Reference

Northeast Harbor: Most restrictions, paid overnight
Seal Harbor: Limited parking, no overnight
Somesville: Library 2-hour limit
Pretty Marsh: Most relaxed, boat launch

General Parking Rules

These parking rules apply year-round throughout Mount Desert. Always check posted signs as they supersede general regulations.

Where You CANNOT Park

Safety Zones

• Intersections or crosswalks
• Sidewalks or terrace areas
• Within 20 feet of fire station driveways
• Blocking fire lanes or hydrants

Traffic Areas

• Blocking traffic flow
• Blocking driveways
• On bridges
• In loading zones

Private Property

• Without owner's permission
• Business lots after hours
• Reserved spaces
• Employee parking areas

Time-Based Restrictions

30 Minutes to 2 Hours Various zones - check signs
24-Hour Abandonment Unmoved vehicles may be towed

HOW to Park Correctly

Parking Requirements

  • Parallel: Within 1 foot of curb
  • Angle: Only where marked
  • Large Vehicles: No angle parking if over 20ft
  • Direction: Park with traffic flow
  • Secure: Set brake, lock vehicle
  • Accessibility: Never block ramps

Special Vehicle Rules

Boat Trailers: Harbormaster permit required
RVs/Campers: No overnight without permit
Oversized: Check clearances & restrictions
Motorcycles: Use designated spaces
Remember: Posted signs ALWAYS supersede general rules. When in doubt, find another spot!

Fines & Enforcement

Mount Desert parking violations are civil offenses with fines ranging from $30 to $250. Save money by paying early and avoid additional fees by paying on time.

Violation Fines

$30

General Parking Violation

Early payment (14 days): $25
Standard fine: $30
Late fee (30+ days): Additional $20

$250

Handicapped Violation

Parking in handicapped space without valid placard
No early payment discount
Most serious parking offense

$50

Fire Safety Violation

Blocking fire hydrant or fire lane
Creates immediate safety hazard
May result in immediate towing

Enforcement Process

Ticket Issued Civil offense - not criminal
14 Days Early payment period ($5 discount)
30 Days Standard payment deadline
After 30 Days $20 late fee added

Payment Methods

Bar Harbor Processes Mount Desert Citations
Online Payment

Pay securely online 24/7 using credit/debit card

Instant confirmation
Print receipt immediately
No processing fees
barharbor.citationportal.com

Mail Payment

Send check or money order to:

Treasurer, Town of Bar Harbor
93 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Include citation number on check

In Person

Pay at Town Hall Finance Office

Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Cash, check, or card accepted
Immediate receipt provided

Towing Policy

Vehicles may be towed for:
• Blocking emergency access
• Repeat violations
• Abandoned vehicles (24+ hours)
Towing at owner's expense

Save Money Tips

Pay Early: Save $5 within 14 days
Set Timer: Avoid overtime tickets
Read Signs: Prevent violations

Permits & Paid Parking

Applications for permits will be done entirely online. The town has contracted with IPS Group to manage the process. Permit applications will be obtained, completed and managed through the IPS Group portal. Unless otherwise stated, all permits are valid for one year.

Online Applications Only: IPS Group portal • Permit approvals during normal business hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM • Not processed on holidays and weekends

Available Permits (All FREE)

A

Resident Vehicle Permit

For: Residents of Northeast Harbor or Seal Harbor Yacht Club where parking is not available at residence
Fee: FREE
Limit: One permit per eligible resident
Valid: Only in the village where you reside
Requirements: Current proof of residency & current vehicle registration
Note: May include verification meeting at residence
Apply: Apply for permit online
Policy: Download parking policy (PDF)

B

Boat Owners Lot Permit

For: Vessel owners with seasonal slip at Northeast Harbor Marina
Fee: FREE
Limit: 2 permits (seasonal slip) / 1 permit (transient slip)
Requirements: Current boat registration, license plate number/type & Northeast Harbor Marina receipt
Approved by: Mount Desert Harbormaster during normal business hours

C

Tennis Court Lot Permit

For: Owners or renters of moorings at Northeast Harbor Marina
Fee: FREE
Use: One overnight parking permit for Tennis Court Lot
Requirements: Current boat registration, license plate number/type & receipt from Mount Desert Harbormaster for mooring fees
Approved by: Mount Desert Harbormaster during normal business hours

D

Seal Harbor Mooring Lot Permit

For: Owners or renters of moorings in Seal Harbor
Fee: FREE
Use: One permit for overnight parking in Seal Harbor Mooring Lot (Main Street)
Requirements: Current boat registration, license plate number/type & receipt from Mount Desert Harbormaster for mooring fees
Approved by: Mount Desert Harbormaster during normal business hours

Where Permits Work

Permit Parking Locations

Boat Owners Lot Northeast Harbor Marina area
Tennis Court Lot Northeast Harbor - Overnight parking only with permit
Seal Harbor Mooring Lot Main Street dirt lot - Permit required anytime
Gray Cow Lot Max 20 residential permit spaces
Steamboat Wharf Road 1 on-street permit space

Paid Overnight Parking

$10 per night
Municipal Building: 11 spaces
Cranberry Island: 14 spaces
Gray Cow Lot (overflow): When above locations full (max 20 permit spaces)
Enforcement: May 15 - October 30

Permit Validity Periods

  • Resident Permits: January 1 - December 31
  • Boat/Mooring Permits: As determined by Harbormaster
Permit Policy: The Town of Mount Desert reserves the right to deny or revoke permits for blatant non-compliance and abuse of permit rules at any time.

Mount Desert Board of Selectmen Approved 5/16/2022

Get Help with Parking

Department Contacts

Bar Harbor Parking Division

General parking questions, permits, citation contesting

(207) 288-1777

Pay citations: barharbor.citationportal.com

Citation Contest Note: After contesting a citation and entering your email, you should receive our decision at your email address. If you don't receive it, please check your spam folder.

Mount Desert Town Office

Mount Desert parking questions and administrative matters

21 Sea Street, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662

(207) 276-5521

Harbormaster Office

Boat owner permits, marine parking, and waterfront access

(207) 276-5737

[email protected]

Police Department

Enforcement questions, violations, and emergency assistance

(207) 276-5111 (Non-emergency)

Emergency: 911

Business Hours & Quick Info

Town Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Closed on federal and state holidays

Common Questions

Lost ticket? Contact Town Office with license plate
Need a map? Available at Town Office or police station
Payment issues? Town Office handles all billing
Accessibility? Contact us for assistance

After Hours

For parking emergencies outside business hours:

  • Towing concerns: Call Police (207) 276-5111
  • True emergencies: Call 911
  • Non-urgent matters: Leave message at Town Office

Online Resources

Town website: www.mtdesert.org

Pay citations online: barharbor.citationportal.com

Forms available online for permit applications