Montreal offers travelers and residents alike a wide variety of activities to explore. The good news is that you can find free street parking all over the city. The bad news: it is a tricky game to play. But don’t worry SpotAngels is here to the rescue đ
This guide will grant you Montreal street parking superhero powers:
- An understanding of where free street parking spots are. (Check out this street parking map!)
- Familiarity with parking rules in Montreal
Street Parking Map
The map below will show you all the spots where you can park, their price and how long you can stay without getting a ticket.
The map updates in real-time, so simply type in the address youâre parking near, the time you expect to be there, and your duration. The green spots are the ones that are free of charge!
Pro tip: the spots that have a yellow halo are those where you are more likely to find parking. The information is constantly provided by the SpotAngels community.
Montreal Parking Rules
If you want to park your car on the street in Montréal, you need to pay attention to signage. Parking is generally paid on major thoroughfares and shopping streets. In some sectors, parking spaces are reserved for residents if they have a permit.
Particular attention should be paid during the winter months when city streets need to be cleared after significant snowfall. Temporary signs are placed clearly indicating the no parking areas in order to allow the snow clearing equipment to pass. Vehicles parked in these areas are liable to be towed.
In general, when parking on the street, the following rules should be followed:
- Park in the direction of traffic
- Do not park within five metres of a fire hydrant or road junction
- Parallel park only unless otherwise indicated by road markings
- Do not block lanes and driveways
Streets and parking lots are regularly patrolled and cars that have not paid, are not showing required permits or that are illegally parked are liable for a fine or may be towed.
You have to pay attention to painted lanes as well.
This red lane is exclusive for lanes.
The green lane is reserved exclusively for cyclists.
If a side of a street is painted in green with this symbols, it indicates that only electrical vehicles can park there.
The blue sides of the street are reserved for handicapped permit holders.
Parking signs
No stopping
You may not stop or park your vehicle at this location.
Parking prohibited
Parking is prohibited at specific times. Itâs important to do what the sign says in terms of times, days and dates.
Street Sweeping/ Road maintenance operations
Parking is prohibited at specific times for road maintenance operations.
Parking reserved
This parking area is reserved for persons with a disability.
Parking reserved
This parking area is reserved for holders of a residents-only parking permit.
Short-term parking authorized
Parking may be authorized at certain times for people who donât have a permit. Itâs important to follow indications on the signs.
Parking reserved
This parking area is reserved for taxis.
Reserved lane
This lane is reserved for buses and taxis at the times indicated on the sign. It is prohibited to stop or park your vehicle in the lane at those times.
Metered Parking
The metered street parking areas are broken up into zones with different charges for each zone, generally more expensive closer to downtown.
The charging periods for metered parking are as follows:
- Monday to Friday 09:00-21:00
- Saturday 09:00-18:00
- Sunday 13:00-18:00
- For a map of the charging zones and their respective rates: Click here
Overnight Parking
On-street overnight parking is allowed in Montreal as long as you don’t park during street cleaning hours or where there’s a posted sign that prohibits parking or requires a resident parking permit.
Parking meters are not in effect after 9pm Mon-Fri and after 6pm on weekends. Check this map to find where you can park overnight.
Disabled parking
This type of parking is a 6-metre zone marked off by signs on a public road. It does not belong to the person who applies for it and may be used by anyone who has a disabled parking permit from the SociĂ©tĂ© dâassurance automobile du QuĂ©bec (SAAQ).
If you need a parking space for someone with a handicap, you must apply to the city for one.
Snow Operations
Street parking is prohibited at times to provide for snow loading. âNo parkingâ signs are put up: make sure you comply with them.
In general, signs prohibiting parking from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. go up on the same day before 3 p.m., and signs prohibiting parking from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. go up on the previous day before 8 p.m.
To facilitate snow-clearing operations, the Agence de mobilité durable, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, made 1,212 free parking spots available in certain parking areas. See list here.
During the snow-clearing period decreed by the Ville de Montréal, cars can be parked in the specified parking areas for free starting at 9 pm. Cars must be removed by 7 am the next morning.
Resident’s Parking Permits
You can obtain a parking sticker from your borough in order to park your vehicle in reserved zones near your home. This parking sticker costs $143 (9 months) or $71 (6 months). The cost is higher for oversized vehicles.
To apply for this sticker, your home must be located in the sectorâs reserved parking zone and you must be the primary driver of the vehicle.
If in addition to the first sticker, a second sticker for another vehicle at your address is needed (for example, if a family member or roommate also has a car), you will need to apply for an additional sticker, for which there is a higher fee.
Montreal Parking Tickets
You can find below a list of Montreal most common parking tickets. Make sure to use the SpotAngels parking app when you park. You will receive notifications and text messages to remind you to move your car!
- General offenses: $ 79
- Double parking or in a prohibited stopping zone: $ 89
- Parking in an area reserved for the disabled or in a bus lane: $ 308
If your got towed, you’ll have to pay $77,12 (for the first 10km between the impound lot and the location it was towed from) to get it back, with $2,56 for every additional Kilometer and $15,00 for every day it stays in the impound lot. The fees are higher for oversized vehicles.
You can find your towed car using this online service or by contacting 311.
Montreal Parking Holidays
Unfortunately, Montreal does not offer free parking in metered areas on Holidays
To find parking on the go, download the award-winning SpotAngels app. It is free đ
