Find Parking in London Ontario With a Forest City Plan
Parking in London Ontario is easier when you separate City spaces from private lots. The closest space is not always the best choice.
This guide covers free parking, HONK payment, municipal lot rates, Dundas Place, Old East Village, overnight passes, accessible parking, veteran parking, tickets and map planning.
Fast Answer: Best Parking Option in London Ontario
For a short Core Area visit, use an eligible on-street space and enter promo code CORE in HONK when the official promo sticker is shown.
For Old East Village, use Municipal Lot 1 or Lot 2. Both are free from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For longer downtown stays, compare municipal lots by daily price, walking route and operating hours.
For overnight street parking, register a free electronic pass when the seasonal rule applies. Snow clearing and posted bans still matter.
Official Source Setup
This guide uses City of London parking pages, municipal lot information, HONK payment guidance, overnight pass rules, accessible and veteran parking rules, ticket guidance and official map sources.
City parking service added
The schema identifies the City of London as the public parking-service provider.
Key facilities included
Old East Village Lots 1 and 2 are added as parking facilities because they answer a common free-parking question.
Real user steps
The HowTo schema follows the actual task: check the operator, read the sign, pay correctly and save proof.
Price guide schema
Structured price details cover free lots, overnight rates and selected municipal-lot examples.
Map entity included
A map entity supports route planning for downtown, Old East Village and municipal lot searches.
No duplicate site schema
Breadcrumb and WebSite schema are not repeated here. Yoast usually handles those site-wide elements.
Source note: this page does not use fake ratings, fake reviews or unsupported live-availability claims. Always follow current signs and official City pages.
Free Parking Options in London Ontario
Free parking depends on location, time and payment method. First, confirm that the space qualifies.
Two hours free through HONK
Eligible Core Area on-street parking offers two hours free through the HONK app.
Look for the official CORE promo sticker before checkout.
Use CORE correctly
Open HONK, select the right zone, choose your vehicle and enter CORE under “Add Promo.”
Confirm the discount before leaving the vehicle.
Call for CORE help
If you cannot use the app, call Parking Services at 519-661-4537.
Have your licence plate and zone ID ready.
Lots 1 and 2
Municipal Lots 1 and 2 are free from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Overnight parking has a separate rule and cost.
One free hour
Legal signed spaces on Dundas Place offer one free hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
Check meter-area offers
Some on-street meter locations in the Richmond Row BIA, Downtown BIA and Old East Village areas have Saturday free-parking offers.
Important: free parking does not cancel posted time limits, no-parking signs, private-lot rules, snow clearing or event restrictions.
Useful London Municipal Lots and 2026 Price Examples
City-managed lots show a white “P” on a green background. They are unattended and fill on a first-come basis.
Payment boundary rule: an off-street municipal lot receipt does not cover an on-street meter. An on-street receipt does not cover a municipal or private lot.
Choose the Right Parking Type
Match the space to your visit. This saves time and reduces ticket risk.
How to Pay With HONK in London Ontario
HONK works for City on-street spaces and municipal parking lots. Use the correct zone every time.
Accepted HONK methods
HONK supports payment from a phone, tablet or computer.
It can use card and digital wallet options shown during checkout.
Meter backup
Coin meters and Pay n Display meters are still available in some areas.
Follow the meter instructions carefully.
Receipt display
Pay n Display receipts must be placed where the expiry time is visible when the meter requires it.
Dundas Place Parking Rules
Dundas Place has its own parking pattern. Check whether the street is open to vehicles before relying on a curb space.
One-hour free limit
Legal signed spaces allow one free hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
Free after 6 p.m.
Evening parking is free where signs allow parking.
Event and closure rules can still apply.
Free where legal
Sunday and holiday parking is free where parking is legally signed.
Check street access
Dundas Place may change for events, patios, construction or pedestrian use.
Do not block pickup spaces
Use marked delivery or pickup zones only for their intended purpose.
Save a nearby lot
Lot 8, Covent Garden Market and nearby private garages can help when curb spaces are full.
Dundas Place warning: free time still has a limit. Staying beyond the posted limit can lead to enforcement.
Overnight Street Parking and Pass Rules
Overnight parking needs extra care. A pass can help, but it does not cancel all restrictions.
Electronic pass system
The City uses a free electronic overnight parking pass system during the applicable timeframe.
15 passes per plate
The City lists a limit of 15 free passes per licence plate during the pass period.
Apply before parking
Passes cannot be issued retroactively. Register before leaving the vehicle overnight.
48-hour advance limit
Between November 1 and April 15, passes are not issued more than 48 hours in advance.
Some vehicles are excluded
Passes do not apply to commercial, oversized, inoperable, unplated, boat or trailer parking.
Road operations override
All other rules remain in effect, including snow clearing and signed restrictions.
Accessible and Veteran Parking
Accessible and veteran parking can reduce costs in some cases. However, permit display and posted time limits still matter.
Use at on-street meters
- Display an original and current Accessible Parking Permit.
- The full permit must be visible through the windshield.
- On-street meters allow use without payment up to the posted meter time limit.
- Parking beyond the posted limit can still lead to a ticket.
Two-hour daily benefit
- Designated accessible spaces in municipal lots allow a daily maximum of two hours free parking.
- The permit must be displayed in the vehicle.
- In other lot spaces, time must be purchased and the receipt displayed where required.
- Look for the City green sign with the white “P.”
Limited free parking
Eligible veteran licence plates can receive limited free parking at on-street meters and up to two hours in City off-street lots.
The vehicle must display a valid Ontario veteran plate.
No-parking zones still apply
Accessible permits and veteran plates do not allow parking in “No Parking” or “No Stopping” areas.
Private Parking Lots and Garages
Private underground parking can be useful downtown. Still, it does not follow City lot rules.
Dufferin Avenue and Wellington Street
The City lists City Hall underground parking as private ownership, not City-managed parking.
Covent Garden Market
Covent Garden Market parking is useful for King Street, Talbot Street, Budweiser Gardens and the market.
York and Clarence area
RBC Place London underground parking is another private option. Check event pricing before entering.
Read entrance signs
Private garages may have separate rates, access hours, validation rules and enforcement.
Check pedestrian access
Some garages use different pedestrian entrances after office hours or during events.
City payment may not transfer
A HONK or City receipt does not automatically cover a private garage or private surface lot.
Private-lot warning: always check the operator, rate board, hours, grace period and enforcement policy before leaving.
Parking Tickets, Disputes and Faulty Meters
A London parking ticket is called a Penalty Notice. Act quickly if you want to pay or dispute it.
15-day deadline
The City says you have 15 days to pay or request a screening.
Online payment
Use the official ticket payment route when available. Do not use suspicious links.
Mail payment
Cheque or money order can be mailed to Parking Services, PO Box 5400, London, ON, N6A 4L6.
In-person payment
In-person service is listed at the Parking Services Office, 824 Dundas Street.
Dispute screening
Use the screening request process and include the required ownership and photo identification.
Faulty meter
Report a faulty meter to Parking Services at 519-661-4537. Include the location and meter number if possible.
Ticket warning: if you ignore the 15-day window, the ticket can be affirmed and extra fees may be added.
Best Parking Plan by Visit Type
Use these quick plans before you enter the busiest blocks.
Use CORE first
Look for an eligible on-street space. Then confirm the CORE promo in HONK.
Use Lots 1 or 2
Park free during the day. Pay the overnight rate only when staying past 11 p.m.
Compare garages early
Lot 8, Covent Garden Market and nearby private garages can fill during events.
Check Lot 3N or Lot 22
Use short-stay lots for quick visits. Use 24-hour capable lots for longer stays.
Confirm street status
Check whether the space is open to vehicles and legal for the time you need.
Register before sleeping
Use the overnight pass system early. Do not wait until after a ticket appears.
60-Second Check Before Leaving Your Vehicle
This quick checklist helps prevent avoidable tickets.
Street parking checklist
- Confirm the space is legal.
- Read the posted maximum time.
- Check the correct HONK zone.
- Use CORE only where it applies.
- Save your receipt or confirmation.
- Move before the time limit ends.
Lot and garage checklist
- Confirm City or private ownership.
- Check the rate before entering.
- Use the correct lot zone or machine.
- Check evening or overnight rules.
- Confirm pedestrian access after hours.
- Take a photo of the level or row.
Overnight checklist
- Register the pass before parking overnight.
- Check no-parking and 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. signs.
- Watch for snow clearing.
- Do not use a pass for trailers or commercial vehicles.
- Keep the confirmation number.
Accessible parking checklist
- Display the original and current permit.
- Keep the permit fully visible.
- Follow the posted time limit.
- Do not park in no-stopping zones.
- Use designated spaces responsibly.
Parking in London Ontario Map
Use this map to plan your route. Then confirm the operator, sign and payment zone onsite.
Map warning: map pins can show private, monthly-only, customer-only or temporarily unavailable parking. Onsite signs control the final rule.
Official London Ontario Parking Links
Use these official sources before you park. Rates, zones, promotions and restrictions can change.
Related Parking Guide Hub Links
These related guides help users compare Ontario and Canadian city parking rules.
Parking in London Ontario FAQs
Is there free parking in London Ontario?
Yes. Eligible Core Area on-street parking can provide two hours free through HONK when the official CORE promotion applies. Old East Village Lots 1 and 2 are also free from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
How do I use the CORE promo code for London parking?
Park in an eligible Core Area on-street space, confirm the promo sticker, open HONK, choose the correct zone, add promo code CORE, and confirm the discount before checkout.
Where can I park free in Old East Village?
Municipal Lots 1 and 2 offer free parking from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Overnight parking from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. costs $6 through HONK or needs a monthly permit.
Is Dundas Place parking free?
Legal signed spaces on Dundas Place allow one free hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Evening, Sunday and holiday parking is free where signs allow parking.
Can I use one receipt for street parking and a municipal lot?
No. A municipal-lot receipt does not cover an on-street metered space. An on-street receipt does not cover an off-street municipal lot.
How do I pay for parking in London Ontario?
Use HONK for City on-street spaces and municipal lots. Some meters and Pay n Display machines also accept coins, credit cards or other posted methods.
Can I park overnight on London streets?
You may need a free electronic overnight parking pass during the seasonal pass period. Passes do not override posted no-parking signs, 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. signs, snow clearing or other restrictions.
How many overnight parking passes can I get in London Ontario?
The City says there is a limit of 15 free electronic overnight parking passes per licence plate during the applicable timeframe.
Does an Accessible Parking Permit make London parking free?
An Accessible Parking Permit can be used at on-street meters without payment up to the posted meter time limit. In municipal lots, designated accessible spaces allow a daily maximum of two hours free parking.
How long do I have to pay or dispute a London parking ticket?
The City says you have 15 days to pay a Penalty Notice or request a screening. If you do not act within 15 days, the ticket is affirmed and extra fees may be added.
Independent London Ontario Parking Information
Parking Guide Hub is not the City of London, HONK, ServiceOntario, Covent Garden Market, RBC Place London, London Transit, Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, a court, a garage, a towing company or a parking operator.
Parking rates, HONK zones, free offers, municipal lot prices, overnight pass rules, snow restrictions, accessible parking rules, veteran parking benefits, private garage terms and ticket procedures can change.
Always check official links, onsite signs and current City notices before parking or paying.
Visit the Parking Guide Hub homepage for more airport, city, hospital, university and venue parking guides.