Parking Division

Downtown Parking Brochure PDF

Central Avenue Kiosks

Multi-space kiosks are now located along Central Avenue from Park Drive to 8th Street. One kiosk will be located on each side of the street, on each block. The remainder of the downtown enforcement zone has regular parking meter payment and enforcement. Meter enforcement is in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all days except Saturdays, Sundays, and City holidays. 

To use the new kiosks along Central Avenue, take note of the vehicle's license plate number and find the nearest pay station. Follow these three steps at the kiosk:

1.  Enter license plate number,
2.  Select duration of stay, and
3.  Make payment with cash, coin, or credit card.

PassportParking Moblie Pay is still an option for motorists. Download the Passport Parking App at www.PassportParking.com and pay for parking with a smartphone.

Parking enforcement has also received a technology upgrade. "Enforcement staff will be using License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to make enforcement more accurate and efficient," stated Craig Raymond, Director of Planning and Community Development. "These technology upgrades will provide long-term savings for the City's parking program."

To educate and inform the public, the City is printing and distributing the handouts provided below in "Supporting Documents" to downtown businesses. For questions about downtown parking, call 406-727-7828. 

Downtown Parking Information

Downtown Great Falls is a unique destination. People come here to dine, shop, work and enjoy cultural and community activities. To promote vibrancy and economic health in downtown, the City of Great Falls has a diverse parking management program that is structured to meet the needs of its users and values the public parking resources. A strong connection exists between the vitality of downtown and adequate, convenient and reasonably priced parking.

Where can I park?

There are over 2,000 public parking spaces in Downtown Great Falls, including curbside parking, parking lots and parking garages. Check signage to be certain of time limits, parking rates and other restrictions. The color-coded map here designates locations of parking and time restrictions. Parking rules are enforced Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (for time limits only).

On-Street Paystation Parking

Multi-space kiosks are now located along Central Avenue from Park Drive to 8th Street. One kiosk will be located on each side of the street, on each block. The remainder of the downtown enforcement zone has regular parking meter payment and enforcement. Meter enforcement is in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all days except Saturdays, Sundays, and City holidays. 

On-Street Meter Parking

The on-street meter district offers metered parking spaces, including handicapped parking stalls. All meters offer time limits from six minutes to two hours. A two-hour time limit is enforced throughout the entire meter district on all days except Sundays and City holidays. Meter enforcement is in effect from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all days except Saturdays, Sundays, and City holidays. The time limits are posted on the meters and on signs interspersed throughout the meter district and time limits are strictly enforced. Meters accept coin denominations of nickels, dimes, quarters, and parking tokens.

Parking Within Marked Spaces on the Street

If you are parking parallel to the sidewalk at a metered location, your vehicle must be parked within the marked spaces for that meter. Failure to keep your vehicle within the markings may result in a ticket. If the meter space is not marked, the vehicle must be lined up correctly within the space and the bumper of the vehicle must not go beyond the meter itself. Improper parking is a $20 ticket.

On-Street Monthly Meter Parking Permits

Parking customers can park at meters in downtown Great Falls in designated areas with a $25 per month Monthly Meter Parking Permit. The permits may only be used on certain blocks or block faces in the Downtown Parking District.  The areas where the passes can be used are shown on the district map, attached below.

These permits may be purchased at the Parking Office in the North Parking Garage, 17 4th Street North.  Permits are sold on a monthly basis only.

On-Street Parking (Residential Zone):

The downtown residential zone expands out from the perimeter of the Parking Meter District and is bounded by the following streets and avenues: to the North by 5th Avenue North; to the South by 4th Avenue South; to the East by 9th Street; and to the West by Park Drive or 3rd Street South. Residential Zone time limits (2 hour or 3 hour) are posted on signs throughout the district and are strictly enforced. Vehicles displaying the proper residential zone permit and parked within one block of the address on the permit are exempt from the posted time limit. See Permits and Programs for more information.

Free Parking

Free Parking is available on various streets downtown. Free parking may be restricted to 2 or 3 hours, so please read and adhere to the restrictions on posted signage.