Driving around Washington DC can be hectic, add in the extra hassle of finding parking and you might find yourself pulling your hair out! It doesn’t matter if you are a resident of DC, or just visiting for a short period, navigating the DC Parking Zones is key to a successful parking experience.
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Residential Parking Zones
The District of Columbia created residential parking zones in an effort to provide citizens who live in high traffic areas with the ability to park close to their homes. The city is split into eight different parking zones, and only residents with a corresponding parking permit may park on most streets in those zones. Residents may pay a small fee for a parking permit for the zone that they live in.
Drivers who do not live in these zones can park for a maximum of two hours before they are subject to ticketing. After that time, they must move their vehicles after the zone entirely, not just to a different street. There are some cheap alternative parking options for drivers without a permit who need to park for more than two hours.
Permits may be purchased at the DMV, or online if you meet certain requirements. More information on RPP fees can be found here.
Some streets within zones do not require residential parking permits. These can be identified by their lack of 2-hour parking signs.
For residents, view our DC Parking Zone map below to find the zone where you live.
DC Parking Zone Map
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Residential and Reciprocal Parking Permit Fees
| Residential/Reciprocity | Fee |
| Residential Parking Permit | $35 per year |
| Residential Parking Permit (Seniors 65 & Older) | $25 per year |
| Reciprocity Sticker (Students) | $338 per year |
| Reciprocity Sticker (Temporary DC Resident, Non-Renewable) | $250 per 6 months |
| Reciprocity Sticker (Military, Presidential Appointees, Members of Congress) | $50 per year |
| Reciprocity Sticker (Part-Time DC Resident) | $338 per year |