Parking Lots & Garages: Parking lots can be found throughout the downtown area. Heading to a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center? You’ll find parking lots along Weybosset. Going shopping on Westminster? You can park within blocks of your favorite stores. Simply visit our interactive parking map to find the lots that are located closest to your destination.

On-Street Parking: Metered parking is a great option when you’re making a quick visit downtown. Most downtown meters allow you to park for a maximum of 2 hours, so you must plan accordingly! You cannot continue to feed the meter once your 2 hour limit expires.

In some cases, you may park at meters for a maximum of 4 hours. Look for these meters on Chestnut Street between Pine and Clifford; Greene Street between Broad and Washington; Pine Street between Chestnut and Dave Gavitt Way (formerly Service Road 8); Eddy Street past Garrahy Court House, and along Service Road 12. The multi-space meters (#12 and #13) on Broad Street between I-95 and Empire also offer 4 hour parking.

You must pay for on-street metered parking between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Rates are $.25 for 12 minutes (or $1.25 per hour). Short term parking at 30 minute meters costs $.25 for 10 minutes (or $.75 for a half hour).  Make sure to check the parking rules before you arrive, and park with the meter positioned by the front of your car. (There is an exception. If you are parking by the front of a double-headed meter, the meter will be positioned by the rear of your car). Please note: meters are not enforced on Sundays, so parking is free!

On-street spots are available on most main downtown corridors and many side streets. As you’ll see on this map, you’ll find meters on:

• Dorrance Street
• Empire Street
• Exchange Terrace
• Fountain Street
• Washington
• Westminster Street
• Weybosset Street

Parking rules are posted on signs along the streets where you can park. Rules may differ from street to street, and many streets are one-way, so please pay attention!

Hours: Generally, you must pay to park at a meter from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. There are some exceptions, so please read the signs! Before 8:00 AM, and after 6:00 PM, you may park in those spaces for FREE. Please note: overnight on-street parking is not allowed! You may not park on the street between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM.

Payment: 12 minutes of parking costs $.25, which translates to $1.25 per hour. You may pay for metered parking with quarters or a ProvPass card! Meters do not accept pennies, nickels, dimes or dollar bills.

Westminster Street now has a pilot program with 35 meters that accept credit cards, quarters, and mobile phone payments. You’ll notice the silver domes and new stickers on these meters. When you pay by credit card, you’ll be automatically charged for the full 2 hours of parking. To use the pay-by-phone system, register for free at www.parkmobile.com. Once your account has been activated, you can pay with your registered mobile phone, pay online, or pay by calling 1-877-727-5717. Each time you pay by phone, you’ll be charged a 35 cent transaction fee. Please note: these meters don’t accept ProvPass cards. For more information, visit the city’s website.

Multi-space Meters: On most downtown streets, you’ll find single and dual-head meters. The city has also installed multi-space meters in several locations includingWeybosset Street, Empire Street andDorrance Street. The multi-space meters look like small vending machines and serve up to 8 spaces. You’ll notice special signs identifying these spots!

After you park, purchase the amount of time you’ll need at the multi-space meter, using either coins or a ProvPass card. The machine will print you a receipt with 2 parts that let you know when your time expires. Display the large part of the receipt inside your car, on the dashboard. (You may keep the smaller part of the receipt as a reminder).  The receipt must be visible to parking enforcement personnel, who will check your dashboard! Once your time expires, you must leave the parking spot.

Malfunctioning Meters: To report a problematic meter, call the City Parking Administrator in the Department of Traffic & Engineering at (401)781-4045. Please specify the meter location and number!

ProvPass is a pre-paid parking card, available in $10 and $20 denominations. With ProvPass, you are only charged for the amount of time you’ve actually parked at single and dual-head meters. (At multi-space meters, you will not be refunded if you leave your space before the time expires).

You may purchase a ProvPass card in the following locations:

• The City Tax Collectors office (Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, room 203)
• The City Licensing Office (Providence City Hall,25 Dorrance Street, room 101)
• The City Traffic Engineering office (60 Ernest Street)
• Municipal Court in the Providence Public Safety Complex (325 Washington Street)
• AAA offices in Rhode Island (including 55 Dorrance) for AAA members ONLY

* Please note: city offices are open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

• When you approach a meter that accepts ProvPass, insert the card and leave it in the meter. The meter will read the total amount available on the card. After you see the display for the maximum credit that will be taken during your time slot, take the card out. Later, when you return to your car, insert the card again. If you haven’t stayed in your parking spot for the full amount of time, you’ll get credit back on your card. It’s important not to swipe the card too quickly!

• If you experience problems with your ProvPass card, you must use coins to pay for your parking space. Call (401)781-4045 for further instructions.

• To find out the remaining value on your ProvPass card, insert the card into a meter, where the value will be displayed. When your ProvPass card no longer has value, you may recharge it at the Municipal Court in the Public Safety Complex, 325 Washington Street.

If you receive a ticket for parking at an expired meter, you must pay $25.00 within 14 days. You have the following payment options:

1. By Mail: Send a check (or money order) payable to the Providence Municipal Court. Write the ticket number on your payment, and include the actual ticket whenever possible.  If you no longer have your ticket, write the vehicle’s state and license plate number on your check or money order. Send to: Providence Municipal Court, 325 Washington Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.
2. Online: Go to the city’s website. On the right side of the homepage, you’ll see a “Top Requested” section. In the “Payments” section, you’ll find “Parking Tickets” on the second line. Click there to be redirected to the city’s online ticket payment system.  Follow the directions to enter your ticket number and credit card information. Please note that you will be charged a $3.00 convenience fee per transaction. Online payments may take time to post. Therefore, if you have 5 or more tickets, it may take up to 24 hours for your name to be removed from the boot list.
3. By Phone: Call (866) 263-0475 to pay for your ticket by phone using a credit card or personal check. Please have your ticket information available when you call.
4. In Person: You may pay at the cashier window at Providence Municipal Court in the Public Safety Complex during regular business hours. The building is located at 325 Washington between Dean Street and I-95 Service Road #7. Call (401) 243-6414 with any questions.

On-street metered parking is FREE on national holidays:

• New Years Day
• MLK Day
• Presidents Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

The city also typically runs a FREE holiday program from Thanksgiving through New Years Day, from 10 AM through 6 PM.

Disclaimer: The city parking information posted on this site is current and accurate, to the best of our knowledge. The Providence Downtown Improvement District is not responsible for any parking tickets or any changes to the city’s parking policies. Please visit providenceri.com for further information.