Parking Rules

Parking Spots with Time Limits

Most on-street parking in downtown Fort Collins is limited to two hours, enforced Monday through Saturday. These time limits help ensure that spaces turn over and stay available for visitors and businesses.

The Four-Hour Block Face Rule

After leaving a time-limited space — either on the street or in a surface lot — you can't return to the same block face or lot for four hours, even if you didn’t stay for the full two hours.

• Block face = one side of a street between two intersections, including all spaces along that stretch.

This rule prevents “space hopping” and supports fair access to parking.

If You Need More Time

For longer visits, choose one of the following:

• Parking garages (first hour free, but you must still check in via kiosk or ParkMobile)
• Pay-by-hour surface lots
• Permit-only lots (with a valid permit)

If you don’t see a posted time limit, you may park all day in that space.

Loading Zones

For active loading or unloading only.

• Time limit: 30 minutes
• These are not standard parking spaces

Accessible Parking

Accessible spaces are marked with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) wheelchair symbol on signs or pavement.

• Only vehicles with a valid accessible placard or plate may park here
• Placards must be clearly displayed on the dashboard or sun visor

You may not park in:

• Access aisles (striped spaces next to accessible stalls)
• Passenger loading zones marked by signs or pavement

Placards are assigned to individuals, not vehicles — they can be moved between vehicles as long as the placard holder is present.

ADA placard holders can park in any time-regulated parking space regardless of time limitation.

For information about paid parking, see Where to Park.

• Vehicles parked on public property must display current registration

• Vehicles left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours may be towed at the owner’s expense.
• For complete enforcement regulations and legal definitions, view the City of Fort Collins Traffic Code.