Being the most populous city in Maryland, it goes without saying that finding affordable Baltimore parking is never easy. Home to nearly 600,000 people, the city of Baltimore is famous for its hundreds of neighborhoods. Because Baltimore features so many cities, it is often referred to as the city of neighborhoods. As the city happens to be conveniently located just 40 miles northeast of the country’s capital – Washington D.C., you can always expect an influx of cars and difficulties finding Baltimore Street parking spots vacant. So how can you make the experience of Baltimore Parking easier? Are there any Baltimore Street parking hacks that will let you drive into a parking spot? Can you leave your home, knowing that a guaranteed Baltimore downtown parking is ready and waiting for you to drive into? Yes, you can! Continue reading this article, and you would be surprised just how easy it is to find parking in the 21st largest metropolitan area in the country, provided you have a general idea about how to find Baltimore parking.
Know the Basic Rules of Baltimore Parking
There are very few golden tips that are essential to know before driving around in the United States than this all-time pro-tip – spend time to understand the basic rules of Baltimore parking. Researching the basic rules of parking in a city can help you understand the rules and regulations better. While there might be universal rules common for parking in all the counties and states in the United States, there are also pretty different rules and regulations specific to certain cities. Spend time researching the fundamental rules and regulations of Baltimore parking before heading out, and you could end up saving money and time. When you research in detail about Baltimore parking, you would also notice that pre-booking Baltimore parking through websites like Way.com gives you access to a guaranteed Baltimore Street parking spot. Downloading apps like the Way App also lets you book a confirmed parking spot without any unnecessary hassles.
Also Read: Top Tips to Find the Best Parking in NYC
Baltimore has a Residential Parking Permit Program.
Yes, you read it. This is one reason why Baltimore Street parking is different from other cities in the country. If you did not know what a Residential Parking permit means, it’s a special parking pass that can be purchased from the city administration by paying a small fee. Having access to the Residential Parking Permit in Baltimore lets you park on the streets in specific neighborhoods. What’s even better about getting the residential parking permit is that it does not cost much. You only need to present documents of current vehicle registration and proof of residency in Baltimore to enroll in the Residential Parking Permit program.
Are there metered spaces for Baltimore Street Parking
Yes. There are plenty of Baltimore Street parking spaces that let you park for rates as low as $0.5 to $3.25. However, most of these metered parking spaces do not offer cover from environmental hazards like snowstorms or security from break-in thefts. Way.com offers plenty of Baltimore parking spaces that give you premium amenities like contactless parking and covid-19 compliances for rates as low as $3 per hour. If you are still planning to go for the metered parking spaces, it’s always best to make sure that your vehicle is moved out of the parking space before the meter runs out. Baltimore street parking across all metered parking spaces in the city is in effect from 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. While some free metered Baltimore parking spaces let you park for free on Sunday, others restrict free parking on Sundays to a limited duration.
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Are Baltimore parking tickets expensive?
Yes, Baltimore parking tickets are pretty expensive and really easy to pick up if you are not careful enough. The majority of the Baltimore Street parking violations result in parking tickets that can range anywhere from rates as low as $32 for a metered parking violation to $502 for parking at a No Stopping Zone or Handicap Zone. Some of the other major parking violations that can put a dent in your wallet are parking tickets you get for impeding traffic which comes at $252 and $77 for parking too close to a fire hydrant. Pre-booking a Baltimore Downtown parking spot in advance ensures that you are safe from expensive parking tickets.
Is it easy to find Baltimore downtown parking spaces?
Home to some of the most popular attractions in Baltimore, like the Inner Harbor and the Hippodrome, downtown Baltimore in Maryland is quite busy around the clock. There is never an option for easy Baltimore Downtown Parking unless you have made reservations in advance. It’s also best to avoid metered parking across Downtown as they are in high demand, and since it’s the business capital of the city, most of the good spots get sold out pretty quickly during weekdays.
Can you get metered parking for free in Baltimore?
Yes, you can park for free across most metered Baltimore Street parking spaces on Sundays and designated public holidays. However, these spaces are always in great demand and can be hard to find.
Also Read: 5 things you must do before booking parking at Cleveland Airport
Important regulations to keep in mind before leaving your Baltimore Parking Space
Now that we have covered most of the main Baltimore parking 101, here are some more essential parking regulations to remember. Please note that the Parking Authority of Baltimore, which enforces parking in Baltimore, is very active and issues tickets for even the most minor violations. So, make sure not to park at:
- No Stopping Zones – These are marked zones where you cannot stop or park at any given instance of time.
- No Parking Zones – These are marked zones where you cannot park at any given instance of time.
- Truck Loading Zones – These are zones meant to assist in the shipping and loading products from commercial vehicles.
- Handicap/Disabled Parking Zones – These are designated zones reserved for people with disabilities. Any vehicle that displays a special registration plate or placards of people with disabilities can park at these designated zones.
