Smart Park parking garages are located around the downtown area and they provide inexpensive parking. Short-term parking (four hours or less) is $1.25/hour.
Smart Parks are located at:
- 1st & Jefferson
- 10th & Yamhill
- O'Bryant Square
- 3rd & Alder
- 4th & Yamhill
- Naito & Davis
- Station Place
See a map of Smart Park locations.
What is a SmartMeter?
Most of the public parking spaces in downtown Portland are regulated by central parking boxes called SmartMeters. SmartMeters are solar-powered, multi-space parking meters that accept coins and credit or debit cards.
How do I use a SmartMeter?
To use a SmartMeter, just walk to the nearest pay station and make a payment. The instructions are clearly marked on the machine. To print your receipt, press the green button. The pay station will print out a receipt showing the amount paid, the date, and the expiration time. Attach half of your receipt to the inside of the window on your vehicle’s curbside window and then take the other half of the receipt with you.
When do I have to pay?
Parking meters operate 8 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday unless otherwise posted.
Free Parking on Sundays. Parking is free at meters on the following nine holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
How much does it cost?
1-hour, 90-minute, and 3-hour meters: $1 per hour.
In the Lloyd District these meters are $.75 per hour.
5 hour meters: $.60 per 90 minutes
In the Lloyd District these meters are $.35 per hour.
Which merchants validate for Smart Park lots?
There are over 700 merchants (including Nordstrom, The Gap, and Portland Saturday Market) that can validate your parking for two hours with a minimum $25 purchase. If you're parked for longer than two hours, you'll only pay the difference. Otherwise, it's free with validation.
What if I want to stay longer?
After the maximum time expires, you need to move your car. If you purchase another ticket and stay in the same space, you could get a parking violation.
What if I don’t use up my time?
While your receipt is still valid, you can move your car to another SmartMeter space. There are no refunds for unused time.
What if I get a parking ticket?
You must take action on your parking ticket within 30 days of getting it. Otherwise the citation will be delinquent and the court may:
- Double the bail amount
- Issue a warrant for impoundment of the vehicle
- Enter a judgment and impose a fine up to the maximum amount allowed by law and assign the citation to the Department of Revenue for collection
1) Pay your ticket
Your ticket is its own envelope. Put a check or money order for the amount in the envelope and mail it. Or you can also pay by Visa or Mastercard by calling 503-988-6722.
2) Send a payment and a written explanation
Even if you are contesting the ticket, you still have to pay it to prevent it from becoming delinquent. Include your payment along with an explanation for why you are contesting the ticket.
When you do this, you are waiving your right to a court hearing and automatically consenting to any judgment rendered. The court will consider your explanation and either refund your bail or forfeit all or part of it.
3) Schedule a court hearing
Mail your payment along with a written request for a hearing OR appear in person at the Circuit Court Parking Tag Office, Room 106, Multnomah County Courthouse, 1021 S.W. Fourth Avenue, Portland, OR to request a hearing and to make your payment.
Make checks payable to circuit court and write your ticket number and license plate number on your check or money order. If you’d like to pay by phone, call 503-988-6722. Don’t mail cash.
What if I don’t pay my tickets?
Your vehicle could be impounded. If this happens, you must post the entire bail set in cash at the Parking Tag Office. The tow company will also charge a fee before releasing the vehicle. It’s must more expensive than paying the actual parking tickets.
If you need to contact the Circuit Court Parking Tag Office, call 503-988-3776 or the TTY number: 503-988-3907.
