CAMDEN — It’s that time of year now, when busy tourist towns in Maine have to begin preparing for increased traffic from visitors and summer residents.

And in Camden, that means putting a traffic enforcement officer on the streets downtown to step up enforcement of the two-hour parking rule. There are of course other parking rules that require enforcement, like parking in “No Parking” zones, parking too close to a fire hydrant, parking left wheel to the curb, parking in “Permit Only” space and parking on a sidewalk, as well as parking illegally in handicapped spaces.

The fines for these violations:

• Exceeding the time limit: $10
• Parking in “Permit Only” space: $30
• Parking on a sidewalk: $30
• Parking in “No Parking” areas: $30
• Parking too close to a fire hydrant: $30
• Parking left wheel to the curb: $30
• Parking illegally in a handicapped space: $200

Camden, like many other Midcoast towns, has set aside three public parking lots with no time limits for parking. They are located north of the fire and police station on Washington Street, behind the Knox Mill, accessible from both Washington and Knowlton streets, and east of the public library and amphitheater on Atlantic Avenue.

Beginning Monday, May 12, the public landing parking lot, where the windjammers and daysail boats are located, will once again be enforced with a two-hour parking time limit. In addition, all on-street parking downtown, unless posted otherwise, is limited to two hours.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.