Find a Downtown New West Space Without Circling the Hills
Compare useful downtown parkades, current meter prices, paid hours and parking near Columbia Street, Anvil Centre, New Westminster Station and the waterfront.
Choose one main parking option and one backup before entering downtown, then check the sign that applies at the time you plan to return.
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park Downtown?
Short predictable stop: legal metered street parking can be easiest when the posted maximum covers your whole visit.
Longer or uncertain visit: Anvil Centre is often easier because its current published pricing extends to 5- and 10-hour stays.
Pier Park or lower Columbia Street: Front Street Parkade is well placed, but check the current rehabilitation access before driving.
SkyTrain or Shops at New West: compare the station-area parkade with Anvil Centre rather than circling Carnarvon and Columbia repeatedly.
Official Source Check: What Was Verified Before Writing
This guide uses current City parking, parking-payment, ticket, accessibility, EV and roadworks pages plus Anvil Centre’s current parking information. Older event pages were not used for current Anvil rates where they conflicted with the current main page.
City meter information
Use this for current City rates, card/cash minimums and Parking Services help.
Open official meter informationOfficial parking FAQs
Use this for paid hours, maximum stays, prepay rules and broken-machine guidance.
Open City parking FAQsCurrent construction information
Use the live roadworks page before relying on Front Street Parkade access.
Check current roadworksUseful Downtown New Westminster Parking Options
Anvil Centre Underground Parking
- Address
- 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 1B6
- Vehicle access
- Eighth Street
- 1 hour
- $3.75
- 5 hours
- $10.50
- 10 hours
- $18.00
- Capacity
- 270 stalls on three underground levels
- Building hours
- Anvil Centre currently lists daily building hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; confirm parkade/after-hours pedestrian access separately for late returns.
- Best for
- Anvil Centre, Columbia Street, downtown offices and New Westminster Station area.
Front Street Parkade
- Area
- Front Street, below Columbia Street
- Access
- Fourth Street and Sixth Street ramp areas; follow temporary project signs.
- Current status
- The parkade remains open during rehabilitation.
- Restrictions
- Some stalls, traffic movements and pedestrian areas can be temporarily unavailable.
- Project horizon
- Current City information lists partial impacts through Spring 2027.
- EV charging
- City-managed public charging is listed in the parkade.
- Best for
- Pier Park, waterfront visits and lower Columbia Street destinations.
Shops at New West Multi-Level Parkade
- Location
- Near Eighth Street and Columbia Street / New Westminster Station
- Best for
- Station-area restaurants, retail, cinema and nearby downtown destinations.
- Pricing
- Operator-controlled; check the entrance rate board and validation conditions.
- Hours
- Confirm current vehicle and pedestrian access with the property operator, especially for late-night return.
Parking Price and Visit-Length Comparison
| Option | Good for | Current price information | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street meter | Short errand | $3.25–$3.75/hour | Most areas up to 2 hours |
| Anvil Centre | Several-hour downtown visit | $3.75 / 1h; $10.50 / 5h; $18 / 10h | Check late pedestrian access |
| Front Street | Waterfront and Pier Park | Check onsite/current City information | Construction may affect access |
| Station-area parkade | SkyTrain/retail area | Operator-specific | Rules differ from City meters |
Downtown Street Parking Rates, Hours and Maximum Stay
2026 rate
City pay parking ranges from $3.25 to $3.75 per hour depending on the location.
Monday–Saturday
Paid parking is in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday & statutory holidays
Paid parking is in effect from noon to 8 p.m.
Most blocks
The maximum stay is up to two hours unless the sign says otherwise.
Douglas College area
Some locations provide a three-hour maximum.
Prepay
The City allows up to two hours of prepayment before paid parking begins.
Use this six-step curb check
Important: after reaching the two-hour limit, the City requires the vehicle to move. Re-metering in the same block does not reset the legal stay.
When Street Parking Can Be Free
Before 8 a.m.
Standard City payment has not started yet Monday through Saturday, but every other restriction still applies.
Sunday before noon
Standard paid parking begins at noon. Drivers may prepay before the paid period begins.
After 8 p.m.
Standard City meter payment ends at 8 p.m.; check for evening restrictions before leaving the vehicle.
Sunday example: if you pay at 11 a.m., the paid two-hour period can begin at noon rather than consuming the free hour before noon.
How to Pay Without Creating a Parking Problem
Meter or pay station
- Confirm the space is legal first.
- Enter the correct licence plate.
- Select only the legal duration.
- Coins, Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted.
- Machines do not provide change.
Passport mobile parking
- Use the official Passport parking method supported by the City.
- Check the parking location before starting.
- Select the correct vehicle.
- Save the confirmation.
- Do not extend beyond the sign’s maximum stay.
Minimum payments: the current City meter page lists a $1 minimum for credit-card payments and $0.25 minimum for cash.
Best Parking Approach by Downtown Destination
Front Street Parkade Rehabilitation: Practical Driver Impact
Parkade stays open
The City is completing the rehabilitation in phases so parking can remain available.
Some stalls close
Work areas can reduce the number of available spaces.
Ramp flow can change
Fourth Street and Sixth Street ramps can experience traffic-pattern changes or closures.
Walking routes can move
Pedestrian access may change as work shifts between sections.
Noisy work is expected
Concrete repair, grinding and related construction are part of the project.
Check through Spring 2027
Current City guidance lists partial closure impacts through Spring 2027.
Accessible Parking: Permit, Price and Route Checks
SPARC BC permit
A designated accessible space may be used by a vehicle displaying a valid SPARC BC permit.
Normal meter price
The City’s parking FAQ says the normal meter rate applies to accessible parking.
Other rules still apply
A permit does not override No Parking, No Stopping or other restrictions.
Downtown slope check: compare the elevator, curb cut and actual grade between the stall and destination. A slightly farther space can be easier than a steep shorter route.
EV Charging While Parking Downtown
| Location | Area | Current City information | Driver check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anvil Centre Parkade | Columbia Street | Dedicated Level 2 charging listed at $1/hour | Parking fee may be separate |
| Front Street Parkade | Riverfront | City-managed public charging | Construction access and charger status |
| Carnarvon at Sixth | Downtown | City-managed public charging | Exact curb and payment rule |
| Tenth at Agnes | West downtown | City-managed public charging | Availability and posted restriction |
Standard dedicated City Level 2 charging is currently $2/hour, load-shared Level 2 is $1/hour, and Anvil Centre dedicated Level 2 charging is listed at $1/hour.
Monthly Parking and Residential Permit Rules
Monthly City parking
Monthly rental is available at some City-run parkades. Availability is facility-specific, so contact Parking Services before planning a daily commute around a monthly space.
Residential permits
Eligible residents in permit areas can buy vehicle-specific permits, but a permit only overrides a time restriction when the sign specifically says an exception applies to permit holders.
A residential permit is not a general exemption from oversized-vehicle, RV, No Parking or No Stopping rules.
Broken Meter, Ticket or Enforcement Problem
| Problem | What to do next | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Meter does not work | Try again; if it still fails, use the next pay station on the same street. | Machine location and error photo |
| Wrong plate/payment issue | Contact Parking Services with the transaction information. | Plate, amount, time and confirmation |
| Parking ticket | Review the notice before paying if you plan to dispute it. | Ticket, sign photos and payment proof |
| Dispute | Submit the City’s dispute process within 14 days of issue. | Ticket number and evidence |
| Report parking offence | Call Parking Services, email them or use the City’s reporting channel. | Exact location, plate and description |
Do not pay first if you intend to dispute: the City says paying the parking ticket removes the dispute option.
Local New Westminster Parking Tips That Actually Save Time
Choose by elevation
Downtown slopes toward the Fraser River. A parking pin that looks closer can create a much steeper walk.
Use one-pass parking
If the first curb block is full, switch to the saved parkade instead of circling Columbia Street repeatedly.
Use Anvil for uncertain timing
Meetings, appointments and meals can easily exceed a street-meter maximum.
Check construction before Front Street
Ramp access can change with the rehabilitation phase.
Photograph the parkade return route
Save the level, elevator, pedestrian door and street entrance before walking away.
Consider SkyTrain for major events
New Westminster Station is directly downtown and can remove the parking search entirely during heavy demand.
Parking Services Contact Information
Parking Services
Phone: 604-519-2010
Email: parking@newwestcity.ca
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Downtown New Westminster Parking Google Map
Use this map to understand the relationship between Columbia Street, Anvil Centre, New Westminster Station and Front Street. Then navigate to the exact parkade entrance.
Map limitation: a Google Maps marker may identify the building centre or pedestrian entrance rather than the vehicle ramp. Anvil Centre vehicle access is on Eighth Street.
Downtown New Westminster Parking FAQs
How much is downtown New Westminster street parking in 2026?
Current City meter rates range from $3.25 to $3.75 per hour depending on the location.
What hours is paid parking enforced?
Standard paid parking hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays and statutory holidays from noon to 8 p.m.
Is downtown parking free Sunday morning?
Standard City meter payment starts at noon on Sunday, but other posted restrictions remain enforceable.
How long can I stay at a street meter?
Most areas allow up to two hours. Some locations near Douglas College allow up to three hours.
Can I pay again and remain in the same block?
No. After the two-hour maximum is reached, the City requires the vehicle to move rather than re-meter in the same block.
How much is Anvil Centre parking?
The current Anvil Centre page lists $3.75 for one hour, $10.50 for five hours and $18 for ten hours.
Is Front Street Parkade open during construction?
Yes. It remains open, but some stalls, ramps, traffic movements and pedestrian routes can be restricted during rehabilitation through Spring 2027.
Is accessible parking free?
No automatic free-parking exemption is listed. The City’s FAQ says normal meter rates apply, and a valid SPARC BC permit does not override other parking rules.
Where can I charge an EV downtown?
City-managed charging is listed at Anvil Centre Parkade, Front Street Parkade, Carnarvon Street at Sixth Street and Tenth Street at Agnes Street.
Who do I call if a parking meter is broken?
Call New Westminster Parking Services at 604-519-2010 during business hours. The City says to retry the machine and then use the next pay station on the same street if it still fails.
Independent Parking Information
ParkingGuideHub.com is an independent informational website and is not the City of New Westminster, Anvil Centre, TransLink, Shops at New West or a parking operator.
Rates, operating access, construction conditions, stalls, EV-charger status and temporary street restrictions can change. Check the sign, entrance board or linked official page before parking or paying.
Visit the Parking Guide Hub homepage for more parking guides.