Find Ottawa Public Parking Without Circling Downtown
Ottawa has municipal garages and surface lots across downtown, ByWard Market, the Glebe, Little Italy, and other neighbourhoods. However, the cheapest choice depends on when you arrive and how long you plan to stay. Therefore, compare the daytime rate, evening rules, free periods, and time limits before you park.
WEEKEND DAY MAX
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park in Ottawa?
For central downtown parking, City Hall Garage is an easy place to compare first. It has 845 spaces, while the current weekday daytime maximum is $22. However, the weekend daytime maximum drops to $2. Therefore, the same garage can be expensive on a weekday and very affordable on a weekend.
If you are visiting ByWard Market, compare ByWard Market Garage at 70 Clarence Street with Dalhousie Garage at 141 Clarence Street. ByWard works well for shorter visits, although daytime limits apply. Meanwhile, Dalhousie has a $15 weekday daytime maximum and a $6 weekend daytime maximum.
Gloucester Street Garage is particularly useful for a weekend visit. It is free on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. In addition, its overnight period from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. is free. Nevertheless, weekday daytime charges still apply.
Ottawa Public Parking Rates in 2026
Ottawa does not use one citywide price for every municipal lot. Instead, each facility has its own schedule. For that reason, the best deal changes with your arrival time, day of the week, and length of stay.
The table below compares several useful City-operated locations. However, a maximum charge does not always remove a time limit. Check the restrictions for your exact level or parking area.
| Parking | Address | Weekday Daytime | Useful Special Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Hall Garage | 110 Laurier Ave W | $3/30 min; $22 max | Weekend daytime: $2 max |
| ByWard Market Garage | 70 Clarence St | $4/hour; daytime limits apply | Rooftop weekday day max: $17 |
| Dalhousie Garage | 141 Clarence St | $2/30 min; $15 max | Weekend daytime: $6 max |
| Gloucester Garage | 210 Gloucester St | $3/30 min; $21 max | Free weekends and holidays |
| Glebe Garage | 170 Second Ave | $1.25/30 min | Free midnight to 8 am |
| Preston Lot | 301 Preston St | $1.50/30 min; $14 max | Weekend daytime: $4 max |
| Slater Lot | 234–250 Slater St | $3.50/30 min; $23 max | Free Saturday and Sunday |
| Somerset & Cambridge | 687 Somerset St W | $2/30 min; $13 max | Weekend daytime: $6 max |
Popular Ottawa Municipal Parking Lots and Garages
The closest garage is not always the best choice. Instead, start with the neighbourhood you plan to visit. Then, compare the walking distance, rate, time limit, and free periods.
City Hall Garage
City Hall Garage is at 110 Laurier Avenue West. It has 845 spaces, including accessible parking. During the week, the daytime maximum is $22. However, weekend daytime parking has a much lower $2 maximum.
ByWard Market Garage
This garage is at 70 Clarence Street. Levels 1 to 3 use a daytime three-hour limit, so they suit shorter visits. By comparison, the rooftop has a separate maximum-rate structure.
Dalhousie Garage
Dalhousie Garage is also on Clarence Street. Its weekday daytime maximum is $15. Moreover, the weekend daytime maximum falls to $6. Therefore, it can work well for a longer ByWard Market visit.
Gloucester Street Garage
Gloucester Garage is at 210 Gloucester Street. Parking is free on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. In addition, the overnight period from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. is free.
Glebe Garage
Glebe Garage is at 170 Second Avenue. Parking costs $1.25 per 30 minutes during paid periods. However, the lower levels have a two-hour limit, while the upper levels have a different maximum.
Preston Street Lot
Preston Lot is at 301 Preston Street and has 60 spaces. The weekday daytime maximum is $14. Meanwhile, the weekend daytime maximum is only $4.
Ottawa Free Parking Radar
Ottawa has several municipal locations with free parking during specific periods. However, “free” does not mean unrestricted. Time limits, temporary signs, and other parking rules can still apply.
Where Can You Find Free Municipal Parking?
Gloucester Garage
Gloucester is one of the strongest weekend options in central Ottawa. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are currently free. In addition, parking is free from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. during the listed overnight period.
Weekday daytime parking is different. Therefore, do not assume a Friday afternoon visit will follow the weekend schedule.
Slater Parking Lot
Slater Lot is free on Saturdays and Sundays. As a result, it can be useful for a weekend downtown visit. However, it has only 62 spaces, so keeping a backup location is sensible.
Glebe Garage
Glebe Garage is free between midnight and 8 a.m. Nevertheless, the daytime rules return after 8 a.m. Moreover, lower levels have a two-hour limit during paid periods.
Preston Street Lot
Preston Lot has free parking during listed evening periods. For example, weekday parking becomes free after 5:30 p.m. under the current schedule. Weekend evening timing is different, so read the signs before leaving your vehicle.
ByWard Market Garage: Important 2026 Payment Change
ByWard Market Garage changed its payment system on March 30, 2026. Instead of using gate arms and exit tickets, drivers now use a Pay & Display system.
First, park the vehicle. Then, pay as soon as you arrive. You can use PayByPhone or an available Pay & Display machine. If you use a machine, display the payment stub on the dashboard as instructed.
The garage is open 24 hours a day. However, the daytime three-hour limit is especially important on Levels 1 to 3. Therefore, a longer ByWard Market visit may require a different level or another garage.
Which Ottawa Parking Option Fits Your Visit?
How to Pay for Ottawa Public Parking
Payment methods vary between municipal parking locations. Therefore, read the instructions at the lot or garage before walking away from the vehicle.
1. Check the Parking Instructions
Start with the signs or machine near your space. They will tell you which payment method applies at that location.
2. Confirm the Location Number
If you use PayByPhone, enter the location number shown on the nearby parking machine or sign. In addition, confirm your licence plate before paying.
3. Choose the Correct Time
Next, select the parking period you need. However, paying for extra time does not cancel a posted maximum-stay rule.
4. Save the Confirmation
Finally, check that the payment was successful. Keep the digital confirmation or display a paper stub when the location requires one.
Using PayByPhone
Ottawa supports PayByPhone at participating Pay & Display locations. The City currently lists the regular parking charge plus a 30-cent transaction service fee. An optional text reminder can add another small fee.
You can also extend a session through PayByPhone when the parking rules allow it. However, the app cannot extend a stay beyond a posted maximum parking duration.
Accessible Parking in Ottawa
Ottawa provides accessible spaces across its municipal parking network. For example, City Hall Garage currently lists 20 accessible spaces, while Dalhousie Garage lists six.
A valid Accessible Parking Permit can also provide specific parking privileges. On City Pay & Display streets, permit holders can park free for up to four hours where parking is otherwise permitted. However, other traffic and parking restrictions still apply.
Several municipal garages and lots also list up to four hours of free parking for vehicles displaying a valid permit. Nevertheless, the rule should be checked for the exact facility because off-street conditions can differ.
Vehicle Height and EV Charging: Check Before Entering
Garage height limits matter if you drive a taller SUV, van, or vehicle with a roof box. City Hall currently lists a 2.16-metre maximum height. By comparison, Dalhousie and Gloucester list 2-metre limits.
In addition, several municipal garages provide EV charging. City Hall lists multiple charging stations, while Dalhousie has four. Gloucester and Glebe also list charging facilities.
However, an EV charger being present does not guarantee that it will be available when you arrive. Therefore, keep a backup charging plan when battery level matters.
Ottawa Parking in Winter
Winter changes the parking picture in Ottawa. Snow-clearing operations can create temporary restrictions, while the City may also declare winter weather parking bans.
Therefore, check current City notices before leaving a vehicle overnight. This is particularly important after heavy snowfall or when a storm is expected.
A municipal garage can sometimes be easier than street parking during poor weather. Nevertheless, garage access, overnight rates, and vehicle height still need to be checked.
Planning a Longer Ottawa Parking Stay
For a longer visit, do not compare only the first hourly charge. Instead, look at the daytime maximum, overnight rate, and any separate evening period.
For example, a garage with a reasonable daytime maximum may start a new charge when the evening period begins. As a result, the total cost can be higher than the headline daytime rate.
Monthly parking is available at some municipal facilities. However, several current waitlists are full. Therefore, check availability directly with the City before planning around a monthly permit.
Ottawa Public Parking Checklist
Before You Drive
After You Park
Ottawa Public Parking Map
Use the map below to understand central Ottawa before you arrive. Then, choose the municipal facility that gives you the best balance between price and walking distance.
However, a general map cannot show every current time limit or temporary restriction. Therefore, the sign at your actual parking location remains the final check.
Municipal garages, lots and central parking areas Open Google Maps
Official Ottawa Parking Resources
This guide helps you compare the main options quickly. However, municipal rates, closures, seasonal rules, and payment systems can change. Therefore, use the City pages below for a final check.
More Parking Guides for Your Trip
If you want a broader Ottawa overview, the related guide below compares parking choices beyond this municipal-lot list. Alternatively, browse the Canada section for parking guides in other cities.