Here’s How Bar Harbor, Maine Residents Can Get Free Parking Coupons

If you have spent much time in Maine's coastal tourist communities during the summer, you already know that it can be difficult to find parking.  Heck, sometimes there are so many people in town that it can be difficult to drive, let alone find a parking spot.

Many Maine tourist communities have found that the can make money off of parking.  Portland, Old Orchard Beach, and Bar Harbor, for example.  Of course, many locals are not happy with the idea of having to pay for parking.  This is more common in the smaller towns.

It looks like the locals of one tourist town will soon have a little bit of relief.

According to an article on the WMTW website, Bar Harbor residents can now apply for a new parking benefit that provides up to two hours of free parking each week during the town's paid parking season.

The Residential Parking Coupon program began accepting applications on Tuesday.

Once approved, residents will receive a coupon code that can be used at any parking kiosk in town for up to two hours of free parking each week.

A row of buildings with a fire hydrant in front of them

Bar Harbor's paid parking season runs from May 1 through Oct. 30. Parking is enforced from 8 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and from noon to 9 PM on Sundays.

Applications must be submitted in person at the Bar Harbor Finance Office inside the Bar Harbor Municipal Building on Cottage Street.

Residents will need to provide proof of current Bar Harbor excise tax and vehicle registration, proof of residency such as a tax bill or utility bill, and a valid email address.

After an application is approved, a coupon code will be emailed to the applicant. Officials say it may take up to 24 hours for the code to become active. The coupon resets every week and remains valid through the end of the paid parking season.