For general questions about a parking ticket (not to contest a ticket), contact Rochester 311 online or by calling 507-328-2311.

If you believe the ticket was issued in error, you can request an administrative review by submitting an electronic review request form. 

If you wish to contest the ticket in District Court for any reason other than an error in issuance, review the back of the ticket for instructions on how to plead not guilty. Questions about District Court can be directed to 507-722-7279.

More information about parking tickets is available on the Pay a Parking Ticket information page.

For a complete list of areas where parking may result in a ticket, refer to Rochester Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-6-10.

Yes. A caregiver may purchase a business permit in the Parking Permit Portal. Business permit applications require proof of employment and vehicle registration information.

No. The City uses license plate reading technology to track Residential Parking Permits. You must update your permit anytime your vehicle or license plate number changes.

Contact the City Clerk's Office at 507-328-2900 to change the vehicle associated with a permit.

Each vehicle is issued its own Residential Parking Permit. Applications for an annual permit require proof of residency for the owner listed on the vehicle registration information.

Temporary parking permits are available for visitors. Temporary permits are available in the Parking Permit Portal. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 507-328-2900 for assistance.

No. Oversized vehicles with an overall length of more than 23 feet or overall width of more than 8 feet are not allowed to park on City streets. (Examples of oversized vehicles include: RVs, motorhomes, campers, trailers, boats and boat trailers.)

Residential Parking Permits are designed to reduce parking congestion caused by non-residents or individuals with no ties to the neighborhood or local businesses. Established under Rochester Code of Ordinances Chapter 11-10, these permits allow only residents with valid permits to park within designated zones during specified hours. Visit the Residential Permit Parking webpage for more information about the program.

Applications for a Residential Parking Permit require proof of residency and vehicle registration information.

The following are acceptable documents for Proof of Residency:

• Valid Drivers License with current address
• OR, current electric/phone/cable bill
• OR, lease agreement

Vehicle Registration must have:

• License Plate Number
• Make, Model, Year of Vehicle

Apply for a permit on the Parking Permit Portal.

A Residential Parking Permit is valid for a full year from the day of purchase.

Yes. Temporary permits are available for visitors and are valid for 30 days. Visit the Residential Permit Parking webpage for more information about the program, including temporary permit fees. Permits are available in the Parking Permit Portal. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 507-328-2900 for assistance.

Yes. If you have requested service at your home, the service vehicle can park at your home if the service vehicle clearly displays a named logo. 

Vehicles with a state-issued disability plate or tag may:

• Park free at any metered space up to 4 hours in 3-hour metered zones. (Rochester Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-6-28 )

In many areas of downtown, no parking is allowed from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow crews to perform maintenance activities such as street sweeping and snow removal during off-hours. City-owned parking ramps provide an option for overnight parking downtown (an overnight fee is charged).

Meters on 1 Avenue SW do not allow parking before 9 a.m. on Saturdays to ensure that spaces better suited for customers and visitors are not occupied by employees for the day.

Malfunctioning meters can be reported to 507-328-2900. Callers will need to provide the specific meter number written vertically on the pole (not the zone number) and a description of the issue. 

If you have already loaded money into the meter, relay your license plate number so you can remain parked for the duration of the meter time limit. A parking technician will be dispatched to check on the meter and if a malfunction is noted, any ticket issued to you will be voided. Tickets issued because of an unreported meter malfunction cannot be voided. Falsely reporting a broken meter will not result in ticket dismissal. 

Paying for additional time beyond the posted time limits on a parking meter is not allowed. Rochester Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-6-34 requires vehicles to be moved at least one block after the meter's time limit expires.

Parking meters are enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for the following days:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day (December 25)

A vehicle is allowed to park in a signed passenger or commodity loading zone for a maximum of 15 minutes. 

Vehicles restricted from parking on city streets, alleys or public parking lots include, but are not limited to:

• Oversized vehicles with an overall length of more than 23 feet or an overall width of more than 8 feet. Examples of oversized vehicles include RVs, motorhomes, campers, trailers, boats and boat trailers.
  • Daytime parking for oversized vehicles is available in the Power Plant Lot. Use this online form to reserve a parking space in this lot.
• Any vehicle, truck, trailer or semi-trailer that is being used for the display of advertising.

Rochester Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-6-23 provides a full description of the parking restrictions.

A monthly parking pass can be obtained by calling 507-282-4545 or online at Parking.com/Rochester.