Parking Near University of Ottawa: Find Your Space Before You Drive
Parking near the University of Ottawa can be confusing, especially during a busy weekday. For example, one campus garage has a daily maximum, while another charges by the hour without a daytime cap. In addition, some lots offer lower evening rates but have different visitor rules.
This guide explains campus garages, visitor rates, nearby streets, payment options and useful alternatives. As a result, you can choose parking based on your destination, arrival time and budget.
SELECT GARAGES
Quick Answer: Where Can You Park Near uOttawa?
For a full weekday visit, Brooks Garage and Mann Garage are useful starting points. Both currently charge $5.50 per hour, with a $17.50 daily maximum. However, spaces are limited, and the university warns that these garages often fill early.
Meanwhile, Desmarais Garage is convenient for Telfer and Laurier Avenue. Nevertheless, its weekday daytime rate has no daily maximum. Therefore, a longer visit can cost considerably more than parking at Brooks or Mann.
After 3 p.m., selected campus parking areas offer a $9 maximum. The same maximum also applies at participating locations on weekends and holidays. However, always check the exact lot and its visitor restrictions before paying.
University of Ottawa Parking Rates in 2026
First, compare the university’s official visitor rates. Although several facilities charge the same hourly amount, their daily limits differ. Therefore, the total cost depends on where and when you park.
| Parking location | Weekday rate | Evening/weekend | HotSpot code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Garage | $5.50/hr; $17.50 max | $9 max | 4001 |
| Mann Garage | $5.50/hr; $17.50 max | $9 max | 4000 |
| Desmarais Garage | $5.50/hr; no daily max | $9 max | 4002 |
| Lees G4 | $5.50/hr; $17.50 max | $9 max | 4200 |
| Lees G3 | $5.50/hr; no daily max | $9 max | 4317 weekday; 4201 off-peak |
| Lot B | $5.50/hr; no daily max | Check visitor eligibility | 4300 |
Campus Parking Garages Near University of Ottawa
Your destination matters as much as the price. For example, the garage closest to your classroom may not have the lowest total cost. Therefore, consider both the walking route and your expected parking duration.
Brooks Garage
Address: 100 Thomas More Private.
Brooks is a practical starting point for the Faculty of Law, Fauteux Hall and the eastern side of Main Campus. In addition, its weekday daily maximum makes longer visits easier to budget.
However, the garage can fill early. Therefore, check its status and any construction notices before leaving home.
HotSpot: 4001
Mann Garage
Address: 801 King Edward Avenue.
Mann serves the King Edward side of campus. As a result, it is useful for visits to SITE, engineering and nearby science buildings.
Furthermore, it has the same weekday daily maximum as Brooks. Nevertheless, visitor availability can be limited during busy periods.
HotSpot: 4000
Desmarais Garage
Address: 55 Laurier Avenue East.
Desmarais is convenient for Telfer, Laurier Avenue and nearby downtown appointments. However, weekday daytime parking has no daily maximum.
Consequently, a long visit can become expensive. In contrast, the selected off-peak rate has a $9 maximum.
HotSpot: 4002
Which Garage Fits Your Campus Destination?
Before choosing a garage, identify the building you actually need. Then compare the walking route, price and arrival time.
| Destination | Parking to compare | Planning tip |
|---|---|---|
| Law and Fauteux | Brooks Garage | Check early-day occupancy. |
| SITE and engineering | Mann Garage | Use the King Edward approach. |
| Telfer and Desmarais | Desmarais or Brooks | Compare the no-max weekday rate. |
| 200 Lees | Lees G3 or G4 | Check the correct section and payment code. |
| Evening campus event | Participating off-peak lots | Confirm access after 3 p.m. |
Parking at 200 Lees and Smaller Campus Lots
Lees G3 and G4
If your destination is 200 Lees Avenue, check the Lees parking sections rather than automatically driving to Main Campus. G4 has a weekday daily maximum. However, G3 has no weekday daytime maximum, so the two areas are not interchangeable.
Lots C, K and M
Selected smaller lots can be useful for evening classes and weekend visits. For example, Lots C, K and M appear in the university’s off-peak visitor pricing. Nevertheless, their availability and visitor hours must be confirmed at the location.
University Private and Louis Pasteur Private
These campus street-style parking areas can suit short visits. However, their weekday hourly pricing has no daily maximum. Moreover, some nearby spaces are reserved for accessible access, loading or other authorized uses.
Is There Free Parking Near University of Ottawa?
Free parking near Main Campus is limited and depends on the exact street, day and time. Although some street spaces may be free outside posted paid hours, they can still have time limits or other restrictions.
For this reason, never assume an unmetered space is unrestricted. Instead, read the nearby signs, check temporary notices and confirm whether residential permit rules apply.
Additionally, free parking farther from campus may involve a longer walk. During winter, that trade-off can be less appealing, especially when snow removal restrictions are active.
Street Parking Near uOttawa: Sandy Hill and Downtown
Sandy Hill has a mixture of residential streets, paid parking and restricted spaces. Therefore, finding an empty curb does not automatically mean you can legally park there.
Read every sign before leaving your car
First, check the parking sign closest to your vehicle. Next, read the arrows, hours, maximum duration and any permit conditions. Finally, look for temporary notices related to construction, events or snow removal.
Check unsigned parking limits
Ottawa generally applies a three-hour unsigned parking limit on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. On weekends and statutory holidays, the general unsigned daytime limit is six hours. However, a posted sign or another applicable restriction can change what is permitted.
Paying does not override parking restrictions
Even if you pay through an app or meter, you must still follow the applicable signs and bylaws. In addition, keep clear of hydrants, driveways, intersections and other prohibited areas.
Nearby Parking Alternatives When Campus Garages Are Full
Campus garages can fill early during the academic term. Fortunately, several municipal and private garages provide alternatives. However, some are farther from campus, so consider the walking distance before choosing one.
City Hall Garage
110 Laurier Avenue West
The City Hall garage is useful when your trip also includes downtown Ottawa. Its published weekday daytime rate is $3 per 30 minutes, with a $22 maximum.
However, the walk to campus is longer than from the university’s own garages.
ByWard Market Garage
70 Clarence Street
This municipal garage can work for a short visit near the market. However, the lower three levels have a three-hour daytime limit.
Therefore, check the current level-specific rules before using it for a university visit.
Dalhousie Garage
141 Clarence Street
Dalhousie Garage provides another municipal option near the ByWard area. Its published weekday daytime rate is $2 per 30 minutes, with a $15 maximum.
Nevertheless, allow for the longer walk to campus.
How to Pay for University of Ottawa Parking
uOttawa offers HotSpot payment at participating locations. In addition, selected garages have Pay and Display machines. However, payment methods differ, so follow the instructions at your exact location.
Find a legal visitor space
First, confirm that the space is open to visitors. Do not pay for a permit-only or otherwise restricted area.
Check the HotSpot code
Next, match the code on the sign to your actual lot or garage. For example, Brooks uses 4001, while Mann uses 4000.
Enter your licence plate
Then, carefully enter your vehicle information and choose the correct parking duration. A small plate error can create an enforcement problem.
Confirm your payment
Finally, save the receipt and check the session expiry. If you need more time, review whether the app permits an extension.
Student and Staff Parking Permits
If you drive to campus regularly, a permit may be more practical than paying the daily visitor rate. However, permits depend on the assigned location, availability and permit conditions.
In addition, a permit for one garage or lot does not automatically authorize parking everywhere on campus. Therefore, check the permitted locations and hours before purchasing.
Students should also check availability early, since some parking products can sell out or have waiting lists. Alternatively, transit may be easier when campus parking is limited.
Accessible Parking Near University of Ottawa
The university’s official campus map identifies accessible parking locations. However, having a provincial accessible parking permit does not automatically make campus parking free.
Therefore, confirm the applicable campus payment and permit requirements. Students and staff may also need their university parking authorization alongside a valid accessible permit.
In addition, choose parking based on the complete accessible route. Check the building entrance, elevators, curb cuts and any current accessibility interruptions before travelling.
Electric Vehicle Charging at uOttawa
Electric vehicle charging is available at selected university parking locations, including Mann and Desmarais garages and the Lees campus. However, a charging space is not simply an ordinary parking space.
For example, Level 2 charging can have a separate charging fee in addition to the regular parking rate. Therefore, check the current charging instructions and use the correct payment code before leaving your vehicle.
Can You Reach uOttawa Without Parking?
The university has its own O-Train station on Line 1. As a result, public transit can be a useful alternative for students, staff and visitors who want to avoid searching for parking.
In addition, the campus map identifies transit connections, bicycle parking and other transportation facilities. If you visit frequently, compare the cost of driving every day with a transit-based journey.
Parking Checklist Before Your Campus Visit
Confirm your building
First, find the exact campus building. Main Campus, Lees and other university locations do not share one parking entrance.
Compare the total price
Next, calculate your expected parking duration. In particular, avoid assuming that every $5.50 hourly location has a daily maximum.
Save a backup garage
Then, identify another legal parking option in case your first choice is full.
Check the payment rules
Finally, verify the HotSpot code, visitor eligibility, posted rate and session expiry before walking away.
University of Ottawa Parking Map
Use this map to locate the university and surrounding streets. However, for individual campus lots, accessible spaces and visitor categories, use the university’s official parking map.
Confirm your building and garage entrance before driving.
Open Google MapsOfficial Parking Resources
Parking rules and prices may change. Therefore, use the official resources below for the final details before your visit.
University of Ottawa Parking FAQs
How much does parking cost at uOttawa?
Selected campus garages charge $5.50 per hour, with a $17.50 weekday daily maximum. However, other locations, including Desmarais Garage, have no weekday daytime maximum.
Where can visitors park near University of Ottawa?
Visitors can check Brooks, Mann and Desmarais garages, along with eligible campus lots. In addition, nearby municipal garages offer alternatives when campus parking is full.
Is parking free at University of Ottawa?
Regular campus visitor parking is generally paid. However, some nearby city street spaces may be free outside paid hours when other parking restrictions allow it.
Does uOttawa offer evening parking?
Yes. Selected campus garages and lots have a $9 maximum after 3 p.m. and on weekends and holidays. Nevertheless, confirm the specific lot’s visitor hours before paying.
Does Desmarais Garage have a daily maximum?
There is no weekday daytime daily maximum. However, its published off-peak rate has a $9 maximum at participating times.
Can I pay using HotSpot?
Yes. HotSpot is available at participating university parking locations. Therefore, use the exact code posted for your lot and check your licence plate before confirming payment.
Can I park at uOttawa overnight?
Overnight access depends on the facility, visitor rules and any permit conditions. Therefore, check the exact location before leaving a vehicle overnight.
Is accessible parking free on campus?
No. The university’s campus parking payment rules still apply. In addition, drivers must display the appropriate accessible permit and meet any applicable university authorization requirements.
What if Brooks or Mann Garage is full?
Check another eligible campus lot or compare a nearby municipal garage. However, consider the walking distance and any different daily maximum before changing locations.