Last Updated on December 2, 2022 by Usama
Finding a convenient parking space in the city can be stressful, but coming back to your vehicle only to see a ticket on your windshield is nerve-racking. Save yourself the trouble by using Parking Access and our helpful tips! We will provide you with all the useful information you need to avoid a Portland parking ticket or dispute one successfully. Learn the city parking regulations, alternatives to street parking, and everything about parking infractions.
The City of Portland Parking Violations
The Portland parking ticket cost varies depending on the violation—it can be as low as $44 or as high as $440! To give you a glimpse into the prices, we looked into common violations in Portland, Oregon, and discovered the amount for each one.
| Portland Parking Violation | Original Parking Fee |
| Improper display of the meter receipt | $44 |
| Parking in the wrong direction | $55 |
| No parking meter receipt | $65 |
| Parking in a reserved zone | $85 |
| Blocked street | $85 |
| Blocked driveway | $95 |
| Parking next to a fire hydrant | $155 |
| Unauthorized parking in a disabled zone | $165 |
| Unauthorized use of a disabled permit | $440 |
Note that the listed citation amount can double if you don’t pay or contest the ticket within 30 days of its issuance date!
How To Avoid Portland Parking Tickets
Adhering to the City of Portland parking rules and paying attention to the signs are the two crucial factors in avoiding tickets! Be sure to use the meter properly, display the receipt, and don’t block any street, driveway, alley, crosswalk, or intersection. Stay away from loading zones, disabled spots, and residential zones if you don’t have a permit. Also, note that you cannot park within 10 feet of any fire hydrant.
The Nitty-Gritty of On-Street Parking in Portland
To avoid the City of Portland parking tickets, you should be informed of street parking hours, rates, and locations. We listed the relevant details on metered parking in the city neighborhoods—see below to learn all about parking enforcement in Portland.
- Downtown Portland—including the CBD, Pearl District, and South Waterfront—parking is enforced from 8 AM to 7 PM Mon-Sat and from 1 PM to 7 PM on Sundays. The rate is $2 per hour.
- Marquam Hill District—parking is free on weekends. From 8 AM to 6 PM Mon-Fri, the price is $1.60 per hour.
- Northwest District—on most streets, parking is enforced between 9 AM and 7 PM Mon-Sat. The hourly rate is $1.60.
- Central Eastside District—includes MLK Blvd, Grand Ave., and the streets from I-84 freeway to Clay Street—parking is $1.20 per hour from 8 AM to 6 PM Mon-Fri. It’s free on weekends.
- Lloyd District—east of NE Grand Avenue, parking meters operate from 8 AM to 6 PM, but they operate until 10 PM if you go west of the avenue. The hourly parking cost is $1.00.
Note that these rules may change or not apply to some streets or spots, so don’t forget to check the sign before you leave the car.
Already Got a Ticket? Can You Overthrow It?
If you received a Portland parking ticket, be sure to either pay or contest it before the 30-day period expires. First, you should read through the ticket to check if it’s valid—we listed all the reasons your ticket may be annulled:
- Illegible handwriting
- Inaccurate date or time of ticket issuance
- Incorrect details about your car, such as the color or manufacturer
- Missing vehicle details
- Wrong address of the parked vehicle
- Defective parking meter
- Signage issues
- Your vehicle was stolen or sold
Whether there’s an issue with your Portland parking ticket, parking sign, or meter, we suggest that you initiate the dispute process. You have a fair chance of winning it—follow our directions to contest the infraction successfully!
Fight Your Portland Parking Ticket
If you decide not to pay but to fight, the City of Portland gives you two options:
- Write an explanation as to why you’re disputing the ticket and send it with the yellow citation envelope. Include any document, permit, or photograph that may help you prove your case. Send the letter to Multnomah County Circuit Court, Parking Citation Office, P.O. Box 78, Portland, OR 97207. If you opt for this option, you waive your rights to a court hearing.
- Schedule a court hearing at the Multnomah County Central Courthouse or by sending the yellow envelope along with a request for the hearing. If you decide to do it in person, head to the Customer Service Area on the second floor. Don’t forget to bring your parking citation, documents, or anything else that may help you prove your innocence.
There’s also a third way to contest any Portland parking ticket, and this is probably the best option—use DoNotPay. The robot lawyer will create the request letter instead of you and help you beat the ticket effortlessly!
How To Pay the Ticket
If you lose the dispute or decide to pay your Portland parking ticket right away, do it in one of the following ways:
- By phone—call 971-274-0590, press 2, and use your Visa or Mastercard to pay
- Online—through the Oregon Judicial Department’s Courts E-Pay Portal
- By mail—put a check or money order in the yellow envelope and send it to Multnomah County Circuit Court, Parking Citation Office, P.O. Box 78, Portland, OR97207
If you plan to send it via mail, make sure the check is payable to the State of Oregon.
Other Helpful Guides
The Parking Access team has created tons of in-depth guides that help drivers find cheap parking or avoid parking tickets! Portland residents and visitors should also look into our articles on Oregon Convention Center and Portland Airport. Apart from contesting a Portland parking ticket, you can also learn how to stay away from parking tickets for these cities: