Downtown parking locations, cost, and hours
Where, when, and how much it costs to park in downtown San Rafael.
Rates
Hourly costs for parking in downtown.
| Type of parking | Hourly rate |
| On-street meters | $1.50 |
| Off-street lots (metered & un-metered) | $0.75 |
| A & C Street garages | $1.00 ($10 max) |
Get a receipt for a credit card payment for a downtown meter.
Hours
You need to pay:
| Location | Days | Hours |
| On-street meters and lots | Monday to Saturday | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Walgreen parking lot | Monday to Saturday | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| City garages (A & C Street) | Monday to Friday | 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
Park for free in the A or C Street parking garage on weekends.
Holidays (2025)
Parking is free on these holidays:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (January 20)
- President’s Day (February 17)
- Cesar Chavez Birthday (March 31)
- Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)
- Juneteenth (June19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (September 1)
- Veterans Day ( November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (November 27 & Friday, November 28)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Some holidays may land on Sundays, which are already free parking days. This list changes every year.
10-hour meter locations
- 3rd & Lootens Place parking structure (upper level only)
- 1550 4th Street parking lot (limited to 2 meters in rear)
- Fifth Avenue & C Street parking lot
- 800 block of Lindaro Street, east side between 2nd & 3rd Streets
- 1100 block of Tamalpais Street (west side of railroad tracks)
- Ritter Street, between 2nd & 3rd Streets
- 800 and 900 blocks of E Street, between 2nd & 4th Streets
Tickets
If you park illegally, you may get a parking ticket.
| Violation | Amount |
| Abandoned vehicle or parked over 72 hours | $205 |
| Expired meter | $40 |
| Compliance with signs or curb markings | $50 |
| Red zone, no parking anytime | $80 |
| Fire hydrant (within 15 feet) | $150 |
| Blocking driveway (may be towed) | $65 |
| Parked in blue zone (without placard) | $335 |
| Parked in bus zone | $250 |
| Expired registration (correctable) | $215 (or $10 if corrected within 35 days of issuance) |
Curb colors
- Yellow: active loading, unloading
- 20 minute maximum
- Enforced 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., except Sundays & holidays
- White: passenger loading, unloading
- 3 minute maximum
- Enforced 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., except Sundays & holidays
- Green: limited to time posted on curb or sign
- 20 minute maximum
- Enforced 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., except Sundays & holidays
- Blue: restricted to vehicles with disabled persons
- Displaying valid placards in clear sight valid placards
- License plates for disabled persons
- Red: no parking anytime