Park Downtown Peterborough Without Wasting Time Circling for a Space
Match your visit length with a street meter, municipal surface lot or one of Peterborough’s two main downtown parking garages.
Check the return-time rule before paying—free evenings and weekends can save money, while winter and snow-removal restrictions can turn an otherwise legal street space into a ticket or tow risk.
Fast Answer: Best Parking Choice by Visit
Up to two hours: paid downtown street parking is $1.75 per hour and normally has a two-hour maximum.
Longer daytime stay: municipal surface lots cost $1.75 per hour with a $12.25 daily maximum; King Street Parkade and Simcoe Street Garage cost $2 per hour with a $14 daily maximum.
Evening: downtown on-street parking is free after 6 p.m. The two City garages are free from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Winter overnight: use a municipal garage or lot instead of a street because City streets are restricted from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. between December 1 and April 1.
Where Should You Park in Downtown Peterborough?
The fastest choice is based on visit duration first, destination second. Searching repeatedly for a curb space can take longer than walking a few blocks from a garage.
Downtown Peterborough Parking Garages
King Street Parkade
- Address
- 202 King Street, Peterborough, Ontario
- Hourly rate
- $2.00
- Daily maximum
- $14.00
- Maximum stay
- 24 hours for standard parking
- Monthly rate
- $105, subject to availability
- Free overnight
- 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Parking office
- Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Simcoe Street Parking Garage
- Address
- 190 Simcoe Street, Peterborough, Ontario
- Hourly rate
- $2.00
- Daily maximum
- $14.00
- Maximum stay
- 24 hours for standard parking
- Monthly rate
- $90, subject to availability
- Free overnight
- 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Nearby use
- Transit Terminal, Peterborough Square and north-central downtown
Municipal Surface Lots: Cheaper All-Day Alternatives
These City lots currently cost $1.75 per hour with a $12.25 daily maximum, making them slightly cheaper for an all-day stay than the two garages.
Brock Lot
190 Brock Street
Useful for Brock Street and the northern part of downtown.
Chambers Lot
184 Hunter Street West
A practical choice for Hunter Street restaurants and businesses.
Gas Lot
70 Simcoe Street
Useful for central Simcoe Street and nearby downtown destinations.
Del Crary Lot
100 George Street North
Useful for Del Crary Park and the southern side of downtown.
Downie Lot
336 Downie Street
A lower-cost long-stay option on the western side of downtown.
Reid Lot
350 Reid Street
Useful when the most central street spaces and garage approaches are busy.
Current Downtown Peterborough Parking Rates
| Location | Maximum stay | Hourly rate | Daily maximum | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metered on-street | 2 hours | $1.75 | N/A | N/A |
| Brock Lot | 24 hours | $1.75 | $12.25 | Not listed |
| Chambers Lot | 24 hours | $1.75 | $12.25 | Not listed |
| Del Crary Lot | 24 hours | $1.75 | $12.25 | $53 |
| Downie Lot | 24 hours | $1.75 | $12.25 | $53 |
| Gas Lot | 24 hours | $1.75 | $12.25 | Not listed |
| King Street Parkade | 24 hours | $2.00 | $14.00 | $105 |
| Reid Lot | 24 hours | $1.75 | $12.25 | $53 |
| Simcoe Street Garage | 24 hours | $2.00 | $14.00 | $90 |
Money-saving rule: for a long daytime visit, compare the surface-lot $12.25 maximum with the $14 garage maximum. The difference is small enough that a closer garage may still be worth it when weather, luggage or mobility matters.
Peterborough Street Parking Rules Drivers Commonly Miss
The City enforces parking rules 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and not every restriction requires a sign.
Unsigned maximum
Three hours unless another rule applies.
Intersection
No parking or stopping within 10 metres; some signed locations require up to 30 metres.
Fire hydrant
Keep at least three metres away.
Driveway / laneway
Keep at least two metres away.
Curb position
Do not leave wheels more than 15 centimetres from the curb.
Commercial loading zone
Commercial motor vehicles only while actively loading or unloading, with a 15-minute limit.
Important: paying a meter or starting a HotSpot session does not make an otherwise prohibited space legal.
When Is Downtown Peterborough Parking Free?
Street parking after 6 p.m.
Downtown on-street parking is free in the evening after 6 p.m.
Weekends
City-operated downtown parking is generally free on weekends.
Statutory holidays
City-operated parking is free on statutory holidays.
Garage overnight period
King Street and Simcoe garages are free from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.
HotSpot detail: the City says HotSpot will not process parking payments during its designated free periods.
Free does not mean unrestricted: temporary No Parking signs, accessible-space rules, snow operations, loading zones and other parking bylaws still apply.
Where to Park Overnight Downtown
For a simple overnight stay, use City off-street parking instead of relying on a public road.
King Street Parkade
Free between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Simcoe Street Garage
Free during the same 7 p.m.–7 a.m. overnight period.
Municipal surface lots
Free overnight parking is also permitted in City parking lots.
Useful winter feature: during snowstorms, a driver using either downtown garage can obtain a gate-arm ticket on entry that can be used for a free Peterborough Transit ride home.
Winter Parking: December 1 to April 1
2 a.m.–6 a.m.
Parking is prohibited on all City streets during these hours from December 1 through April 1.
$35 seasonal penalty
The City lists a $35 penalty for violating the regular winter overnight restriction.
$80 snow-operation penalty
When snow clearing is underway, parking or stopping on a City street can result in an $80 penalty and towing.
Snow removal is stricter than the regular 2–6 a.m. rule: crews typically work between midnight and 8 a.m., and downtown No Parking signs can be posted where snowbank removal is scheduled.
If snow is forecast: move the vehicle into a City garage or lot before late evening. Do not wait until a tow notice or temporary sign appears beside the vehicle.
How to Pay: Meter, HotSpot App or QR Code
Coins
Use coins at supported meters and Pay and Display machines.
HotSpot
Pay by phone, receive expiry reminders and add time up to the legal maximum.
Tap QR Code
Supported locations allow browser-based payment without relying on a traditional meter payment.
HotSpot payment checklist
HotSpot help: call 1-855-712-5888 for app-specific problems.
Accessible Parking in Downtown Peterborough
Permit required
A valid Provincial Accessible Parking Permit must be clearly displayed.
Parking fee still applies
Peterborough does not make municipal parking free solely because an accessible permit is displayed.
Where spaces are located
Accessible spaces are available on downtown streets and in public municipal lots and garages.
$300 fine: the City states that parking in an accessible space without a valid permit can result in a $300 fine.
Mobility planning: check the walking route, curb cuts and current garage elevator status before driving if step-free access is essential.
Where to Park for Common Downtown Destinations
2026 Downtown Residential On-Street Parking Permit Pilot
This program is for eligible residents inside the designated downtown pilot area. It is not a general visitor pass for anyone driving downtown.
What a permit can change
The pilot permit can exempt the holder from normal maximum parking durations and seasonal restrictions within the applicable permit area.
What it does not change
Hydrant, driveway, intersection, bus-stop, loading, safety and other parking-by-law rules still apply.
Not a reserved space
A permit does not guarantee that a particular street space will be available.
| Permit type | Validity | Current fee |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor / day | 24 hours | $20 |
| Two-day | 48 hours | $35 |
| Week | 7 days | $120 |
| One month | 1 month | $150 |
| Six month | 6 months | $200 |
| Annual | 12 months | $250 |
Eligible-address benefit: the 2026 pilot provides up to 10 free 24-hour permits per municipal address, subject to the program’s rules and limits.
Operational suspension: permit privileges can be temporarily suspended for municipal operations such as snow removal or street sweeping.
Monthly Downtown Parking Passes
Monthly passes may be available at selected garages and surface lots. Availability can change, so contact Parking Services before relying on a pass.
| Facility | Monthly rate | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| King Street Parkade | $105 | Central downtown commuter |
| Simcoe Street Garage | $90 | Simcoe / Transit Terminal area |
| Del Crary Lot | $53 | Lower-cost surface parking |
| Downie Lot | $53 | Western downtown |
| Reid Lot | $53 | Western / central edge |
Where to ask: monthly passes are handled through the Parking Office at King Street Parkade, 202 King Street, Monday–Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Practical Local Parking Tips
One pass, then use a garage
If you do not see a legal curb space on the first circuit of your destination block, use the nearest municipal facility instead of repeatedly circling.
Do not chase a $1.75 saving
The difference between the surface-lot and garage daily maximum is only $1.75. A closer covered garage may be better in bad weather.
Evening arrivals
If arriving near 6 p.m., read the meter before paying. You may need only enough paid time to reach the free evening period.
Winter overnight
Move off the street early. Municipal lots and garages are much simpler than monitoring changing snow-removal restrictions.
Save your parking location
Photograph the garage level, lot sign or nearest intersection before walking away.
Hunter Street dinner
Check Chambers Lot first if your restaurant is west of George Street instead of entering the busiest curb-parking area.
Ticket, HotSpot Problem or Towed Vehicle: What to Do
| Problem | Immediate action | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| HotSpot payment failed | Do not assume the session started. Verify payment or use another accepted method. | Zone, licence plate, screenshot and timestamp. |
| Wrong licence plate | Correct the active parking information immediately where possible. | Transaction details and correct plate. |
| Penalty notice | Review the City’s Administrative Monetary Penalty process before paying if you want to dispute it. | Photos of signs, vehicle position and payment proof. |
| Snow-operation tow | Contact Municipal Law Enforcement Services on the next business day. | Licence plate, street and last known location. |
| Garage equipment issue | Keep the ticket or payment record and contact Parking Services. | Garage, entry time, plate and receipt. |
Parking Help and Contact Details
City Parking Services
Snow-Removal Towing
30-Second Check Before Walking Away
Legal-space check
- Read every relevant sign.
- Confirm the maximum stay.
- Check hydrant and driveway clearance.
- Check intersection distance.
- Look for temporary event or snow signs.
- Verify winter overnight restrictions.
Payment and return check
- Confirm the location code.
- Confirm your licence plate.
- Save payment confirmation.
- Set a return reminder.
- Photograph the parking location.
- Check whether parking becomes free before your return.
Downtown Peterborough Parking Google Map
This map is for Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Use the exact garage or lot address for final navigation.
Peterborough name warning: there is also a Peterborough in England. Confirm that your map says Peterborough, Ontario, Canada before driving.
Official Peterborough Parking Resources
Use these links when you need to confirm changing prices, permit eligibility, winter operations or a parking penalty.
Downtown Peterborough Parking FAQs
How much is street parking in downtown Peterborough, Ontario?
Metered downtown street parking currently costs $1.75 per hour and generally has a two-hour maximum.
How much does King Street Parkade cost?
King Street Parkade at 202 King Street currently costs $2 per hour with a $14 daily maximum. The listed monthly rate is $105, subject to availability.
How much does Simcoe Street Parking Garage cost?
Simcoe Street Garage at 190 Simcoe Street currently costs $2 per hour with a $14 daily maximum. The listed monthly rate is $90, subject to availability.
Is downtown Peterborough parking free after 6 p.m.?
Downtown on-street parking is free after 6 p.m. The two municipal garages are free overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Is downtown Peterborough parking free on weekends?
City-operated downtown parking is generally free on weekends and statutory holidays, although other parking restrictions still apply.
Where can I park overnight downtown?
Free overnight parking is available in municipal parking lots, King Street Parkade and Simcoe Street Garage. The garages are free between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Can I park on the street overnight during winter?
From December 1 to April 1, parking is prohibited on all City streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. Snow-clearing operations can impose even stricter temporary restrictions.
Is accessible parking free in Peterborough?
No. A valid Provincial Accessible Parking Permit is required for designated accessible spaces, but normal municipal parking fees must still be paid.
Can I pay for parking with the HotSpot app?
Yes. HotSpot works at Peterborough meters and Pay and Display locations. It can provide expiry reminders, allow extensions up to the legal maximum and let you end a session early for a refund of unused paid time.
Does a downtown residential parking permit guarantee a parking space?
No. The 2026 pilot permit can exempt eligible users from certain time and seasonal restrictions, but spaces remain first-come and other parking bylaws still apply.
Independent Parking Information
Parking Guide Hub is not the City of Peterborough, HotSpot Parking or a municipal parking operator.
Rates, permit availability, temporary road closures, snow operations and parking rules can change. Verify time-sensitive details through the official City resources linked above before parking or paying.
Visit the Parking Guide Hub homepage for additional parking guides.