Guide to Parking in Boulder

Whether you live, work or play in Boulder, we’ve got a spot for you. This page will help you get up to speed on parking options.

Car parked in parking space

Recent Changes

Our parking permit system has gone digital!

The City of Boulder recently moved to a digital permitting process that will make purchasing and renewing permits more convenient. This system went into effect Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Those parking with a garage permit through Metropolis will not be impacted.

Pay parking citations or purchase online parking permits

Overview of Parking in Boulder's Commercial Districts

City Owned Garages

Best parking for sessions longer than an hour. Register to park in a City of Boulder garage with Metropolis.

  1. Monday - Friday
    • 1st Hour: $1.75
    • 2nd - 6th Hours: $1.25/hr
    • 6th - 12th Hours: $15.99
    • 3 p.m. - 3a.m.*: $3

    Rates valid as of Oct. 1, 2023, and are inclusive of fees.

    *$3 flat rate only applies if you enter and exit between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m.
    If you park longer than 12 hours the rate structure starts over.

    More information about City of Boulder Parking Garages.

  2. Weekends & Holidays
    • FREE in City of Boulder downtown garages.*
    • View all city-observed holidays.
    • Several downtown businesses validate parking. Be sure to ask.
    • *Please note that the 3183 Pearl St. (Depot Square Boulder Junction) garage enforces paid parking seven days a week, including Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays.

On-Street Paid Parking

Pay for on-street parking through ParkMobile.

  1. Monday - Saturday
    • 15 Minutes or Less: FREE
      To park up to 15 minutes for free, you must initiate a parking session using a parking app or pay station.
    • 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.: $1.50-$2.50 per hour. Please see posted time limits.
    • 7 p.m. – 9 a.m.: FREE
    • **In the summer months on weekends and holidays, pay parking on-street is in effect in and around popular Chautauqua Park from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the free Park to Park shuttle runs. Visit the Park to Park Shuttle webpage for more details.**
  2. Sundays & Holidays
    • FREE**
    • **In the summer months on weekends and holidays, pay parking on-street is in effect in and around popular Chautauqua Park from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. while the free Park to Park shuttle runs. Visit the Park to Park Shuttle webpage for more details.**

Other Options

Are you tired of searching for parking? Boulder offers some great multi-modal travel options, including walking, biking, and bus transit.

Upcoming Parking Code Updates

Changes are coming to how the City of Boulder approaches parking and access management. Items that have been approved by City Council and are under review by the City Manager's Office include:

Overview of Parking Code Updates

Redefining Permit Allocations

This item will reduce the number of residential neighborhood parking permits from two to one per licensed driver. This approach encourages people to park in their driveways or garages if available and keep fewer cars parked on the street.

Simplifying Guest and Visitor Permits

Community feedback highlights confusion and underuse of the current guest and visitor permit system. The previous guest and visitor permits will be replaced with two new options which aim to simplify the system:

  • Day Passes: 25 annually per household, each valid for 24 hours and usable consecutively or individually across vehicles and days.

  • Flex Permits: Valid for a full year, intended for longer-stay guests, additional vehicles, or frequent service providers.

Parking Study with New and Redevelopments

To proactively manage parking impacts from significant new or redevelopment projects, a city-led parking study will be required along with any traffic assessments based on Boulder Design and Construction Standards.

Formalize BVSD “Park and Walk”

To support school access and reduce congestion, the City Manager will soon have the ability to designate certain blocks near schools as “Park and Walk” zones. These blocks will allow two one-hour parking sessions daily - accommodating school drop-off and pick-up.

Piloting Paid Parking and TDM Benefits in an NPP zone

A pilot program in the Goss Grove NPP will test the transition from time-limited to mobile-pay-only paid parking for non-permit holders, paired with free EcoPasses for residents.

To learn more about proposed changes, please read the City Council memo or visit the project webpage.

Contact Community Vitality Parking and Access Services