Show All Answers

1. What is the mission of the Portsmouth Parking Authority?

To support the City’s retail, entertainment, cultural and economic goals by providing safe, convenient and affordable parking to all citizens by efficiently managing the City’s parking resources.

2. Where do I find visitor parking downtown Portsmouth and how much will parking my vehicle cost?

Convenient visitor parking is available at meters and in City lots and garages. The rate for meters in the Civic Center Lot near City Hall facing the river and on Crawford Street and visitor parking in the Judicial Center Lot is $1.25 per hour. The rate for all other meters and visitor parking in City-operated garages is $1.25 per hour. Free parking is available up to two hours along High Street and other designated areas.

Complete Details

3. When is visitor parking in the City garages Free?

All day Saturday and Sunday, nightly 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., and City Holidays.

4. When is metered parking free?

All day Saturday and Sunday, nightly 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., and City Holidays.

5. Where can a disabled person find parking?

Disabled persons with valid handicap license plates and/or placards may: park in any space designated for a disabled person, park free at a meter and in visitor spaces in the Portsmouth Parking Authority Garages and
Lots for up to 4 hours, and park for up to 4 hours in on-street parking spaces where time-restricted free parking is allowed, such as 2-hour spaces in the Olde Towne Business District. Disabled parkers are not allowed to exceed the time designated for loading zones, and must follow the regulations for the City’s Residential Parking Districts (Olde Towne, Olde Towne South, Southside, and Glensheallah).

6. Where are the closest garages to the Children’s Museum of Virginia?

The County Street Garage is equipped with automated pay-on-foot pay stations, and offers pay in advance parking. The Middle Street Garage offers pay upon exit. Complete Details

7. How do I rent a monthly space in a City Parking Lot or City-operated Parking Garage?

Contact the Portsmouth Parking Authority’s Customer Service Office at (757) 393-8800.  A parking space application and the Parking Authority’s Rules and Regulations will be emailed to you, and arrangements will be made for establishing your account.

8. I would like to take the ferry from Portsmouth to Norfolk instead of driving through the tunnel. Is parking available close to the ferry landings?

Yes. The Portsmouth Parking Authority offers monthly rental spaces in City garages and the Crawford Bay Lot that are in easy walking distance to the ferry stops. For more information. Complete Details

9. I am being transferred to the U. S Coast Guard’s 5th District Headquarters. Do you offer a military discount and where is the closest monthly parking available?

Yes, $42 discounted rate is available for active-duty military personnel and civilians and contractors working directly for the Coast Guard’s 5th District Headquarters and Norfolk offices. The closest garage is the Middle Street Parking Garage.

10. I will be living in a Residential Parking District, such as Olde Towne. Where do I obtain a residential parking permit (decal) for my vehicle(s), and how can I obtain guest passes for my visitors?

For residential parking permits, please contact the City Treasurer’s Office at (757) 393-8651. For short-term guest passes, please contact the Portsmouth Parking Authority’s Customer Service Office at (757) 393-8800. For more information and to view a list of 

residential parking districts.

11. What are the hours of operation of the Portsmouth Parking Authority Customer Service Office in the Middle Street Garage?

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9:30 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

12. Who enforces on-street and off-street parking regulations?

The Portsmouth Police Department’s Security Unit (city-wide) and the Portsmouth Parking Authority’s Parking Enforcement Technicians (downtown area only)

13. I parked at a meter and it malfunctioned. Who do I call to report the problem?

Call the Portsmouth Parking Authority Customer Service Office at 757-393-8800.

14. How can I pay the parking ticket I received?

Mail the violation notice with a check or money order for the amount indicated to: Portsmouth City Treasurer, 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-3872, or drop it in the City Treasurer’s drop box on Columbia Street next to City Hall, or go to https://www.portsmouthva.gov/131/Online-Payments to pay with American Express, Discover, MasterCard or VISA. A credit card convenience fee will be applied, or call 866-281-6160.