Portland, Oregon, a vibrant city known for its parks, bridges, and coffee culture, offers a variety of parking options. Understanding the parking regulations and costs is essential for a smooth visit, whether you are a local or a tourist. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of parking in Portland, ensuring you know where to park, how much it costs, and what time restrictions might apply to different areas within the city.
Understanding Parking Costs Across Portland Districts
Parking rates in Portland vary depending on the district you are in. Here’s a breakdown of the costs to help you plan your parking accordingly:
Downtown District: Encompassing the Central Business District, South Waterfront, and the Pearl District, parking here costs $2.40 per hour from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. This is the most expensive area for parking due to its high demand and central location.
Event Meter District: Located near Providence Park, this district has special event pricing. On Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns home game days, parking is $5 per hour, starting 3 hours before the game and ending 3 hours after the game concludes. Be sure to check the event schedule if you are parking near Providence Park during game days.
Lloyd District: Bounded by the Willamette River, N/NE Broadway, NE 16th, and the I-84 freeway, the Lloyd District includes key locations like the Oregon Convention Center and the Lloyd Center. Parking here is more affordable at $1.40 per hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, unless otherwise posted. During major events, the Lloyd Event District may extend meter payment times until 10 p.m. and include Sundays. Always check posted signs for specific hours, especially during events.
Marquam Hill District: Home to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and other medical facilities on Marquam Hill, parking in this district is $2.00 per hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. This district caters primarily to weekday traffic due to the medical facilities.
Central Eastside District: Situated on MLK Blvd. and Grand Ave., and the streets between them from I-84 to Clay Street, the Central Eastside District offers parking at $1.60 per hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. This area is known for its mix of businesses and industrial spaces.
Northwest District: Bounded by NW Vaughn, W. Burnside, NW Cornell, Westover Roads, and I-405, the Northwest District charges $2.00 per hour from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, unless signs indicate otherwise. South of Irving St., event pricing applies for Timbers and Thorns home games, costing $6 per hour, starting 3 hours before and ending 3 hours after games.
Additional Parking Fees to Consider
Beyond the hourly rates, be aware of these additional fees per parking transaction:
- $0.10 Technology Fee: This fee supports the modernization of parking equipment. It was implemented by the Portland City Council in Spring 2019 but does not apply at Washington Park, Portland State University, OMSI, or in Vancouver, WA.
- $0.20 Climate and Equitable Mobility Transaction Fee: Introduced in 2022 by the Portland City Council, this fee contributes to climate and equitable mobility initiatives.
- $0.20 Transaction Fee: Applicable to all parking transactions, this fee was approved by the Portland City Council in 2024.
- $0.10 Processing Fee for Parking Kitty Users: If you use the Parking Kitty app to pay for parking, a small processing fee applies.
For a detailed breakdown of all parking fees, refer to the official Parking Fee Schedule provided by the City Council.
Free Parking Times in Portland
Knowing when parking is free can save you money. In all districts, parking at meters is free (excluding city parks) on these ten annual holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Parking pay stations will not accept payment on these holidays and will display a message confirming it’s a holiday. Portland observes City Holidays on the actual calendar date, not the federal observed holiday.
Where to Park in Portland
Portland provides ample parking options, especially in and around Downtown. You’ll find over 20,000 on-street parking stalls across the five meter districts, along with five SmartPark garages open to the public. Always check parking signs to ensure you are adhering to the specific rules for each space, as on-street parking is regulated. Payment is required almost everywhere, with limited exceptions in the Central Eastside. Private parking lots and garages are also available but are not managed by the city.
Alt text: Examples of time limit signs in Portland’s non-metered parking areas, indicating parking duration before vehicle relocation to another blockface is required.
Areas Where Parking is Prohibited
To avoid tickets and towing, be aware of where you cannot park:
- Areas with “No Parking” signs.
- Zones with yellow curb paint.
- Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Blocking driveways.
- Truck Loading Zones (unless you are a commercial vehicle actively loading/unloading within the specified hours).
- Travel lanes (no double parking).
- Bike lanes.
- Outside marked parking lines.
- Crosswalks.
- Blocking ADA curb ramps.
This list is not exhaustive, so always pay close attention to local signage wherever you park.
Payment Methods for Parking
Portland offers convenient ways to pay for parking:
Mobile Pay with Parking Kitty
Parking Kitty is the city’s official mobile parking payment app and is the most convenient option. You can pay quickly from your smartphone.
Download Parking Kitty for Android
Download Parking Kitty for iOS
Use Parking Kitty Web Version
Parking Kitty is accepted at various locations including Portland State University, Washington Park, OMSI, and even in Vancouver, Washington.
Alt text: Example of Portland Area Parking Permit sign, displaying parking restrictions enforced by permit within designated zones, including visitor time limits.
Pay Stations
Portland’s updated pay stations are pay-by-plate, eliminating the need for paper receipts. Instructions are available on each station.
Parking Time Limits Explained
Meter Districts
In meter districts, parking time limits are clearly indicated on signs. These limits are in place to support local businesses by ensuring parking space turnover for customers. Time limits are being assessed by PBOT to better support central city businesses, and renewing parking time at meters is allowed for extended stays in the central city.
Areas Outside Meter Districts
Outside meter districts and in parts of the Central Eastside, signs indicate time limits. These limits are typically in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, unless specified otherwise. Parking is free in these areas, but you must move your car to another blockface after the time limit expires.
Area Parking Permit Zones
In Area Parking Permit Zones, signs will specify parking restrictions, including time limits and enforcement hours. If you do not have a residential, visitor, or business permit for the zone, you must move your vehicle out of the zone by the end of the posted time limit.
Truck Loading Zones: Usage and Regulations
Truck loading zones in Portland are designed for commercial vehicles for loading and unloading. These zones are crucial for business operations and are strictly enforced. Commercial vehicles are limited to 30 minutes in these zones. Parking in a truck loading zone during enforcement hours can result in a citation and towing. Outside of these hours, the parking reverts to the general block regulations, which in meter districts means you must pay and adhere to time limits.
Parking for People with Disabilities
Portland provides designated disability parking stalls throughout the city. These are marked with signs, and only vehicles displaying valid Disability Placards are permitted to park in these spaces. Some stalls are specifically for Wheelchair Users Only and require a valid Disability Wheelchair User Placard.
Alt text: Examples of timestay signs in Portland’s non-metered areas. These signs indicate the maximum duration for parking before vehicle relocation is required.
Rules for Disability Placards:
- Disability Parking Placard: At 2-hour meters, you can pay for 2 hours and stay for 3. At meters longer than 2 hours, you are limited to the paid time. Outside meter districts, parking is allowed for up to 24 hours before needing to move your vehicle.
- Disability Wheelchair User Parking Placard: You can park at any metered location without payment for up to 24 hours. Outside meter districts, the 24-hour limit also applies.
Motorcycle and Scooter Parking
Portland offers dedicated on-street and SmartPark motorcycle/scooter parking locations. Ensure you pay using Parking Kitty or at a pay-by-plate meter, including any stacked letters on your license plate when entering it at the meter. If you receive a citation despite payment, contact pay station customer service at 503-278-5410 within 3 business days with proof of payment for citation cancellation.
Refunds and Further Assistance
Refunds for parking are only provided for duplicate payments or proven system errors. Partial refunds for unused parking time or event cancellations are not available. For transaction disputes, contact the Meter Help Line at 503-278-5410 for review.
For further questions or issues, Portland’s parking services offer resources to assist you:
- What if I get a parking citation?
- What if I get towed or booted?
- What if there is an abandoned vehicle or derelict RV on my street?
- What if there is an illegally parked vehicle on my street?
- What is an Area Parking Permit zone?
Understanding these parking guidelines will help you navigate Portland’s streets with ease and confidence, ensuring you make the most of your time in this beautiful city.
