Last Updated 2/13/06

Click Here to Download Downtown Parking, Skyway and Subway Guide Brochure
(2.6 MB pdf)

Shopping

Your short-term parking needs are met with 90-minute, on-street parking, on-street metered spaces and off-street metered lots. For longer shopping trips, the 2nd Street, Center Street, Civic Center, 3rd Street, and 1st Street Ramps provide pleasant, close-in, covered parking. With the exception of the 3rd Street ramp, all ramps have indoor connections to adjacent office buildings, retailing, hotels, and banks.

Parking Meter Enforcement Hours

Parking meters are enforced 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except the following holidays;
New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. On-street parking is prohibited on most streets in the downtown from 2:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. Look for the posting.

Free Parking Times

Free parking is provided at all meters and municipal paring ramps on evenings after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. Fees may be charged for certain event parking. Parking is "Free" if you are in and out within an hour when parking in the following parking ramps; Center Street, Civic Center, First Street and Second Street.

Overnight Parking

Overnight parking on streets in the downtown area is restricted between the hours of 2:00am and 6:00am. There is a charge of $10.00 for overnight parking in the city parking ramps - with the exception of Center Street Ramp which is $12.00.

Parking Validation

Many downtown businesses will validate your parking in the city ramps. Ask for your validation.

Parking Revenues

All revenues derived from your parking fees are dedicated to the Parking Enterprise Fund, which is used exclusively to sustain the existing parking system and provide new parking lots and ramps. Thank you for your patronage.

Credit Card Payment in the Ramps

Credit card payment is accepted in the First Street, Second Street, Center Street and Civic Center parking garages. You can use your credit card to enter and/or exit. The charges will be automatically made to your card. You can also present your credit card to the cashier as you exit.

Click Here to Download Cash Key Application Brochure
( 1.2 MB pdf)

Cash Key

If you a re a frequent on-street parker consider obtaining a Cash Key (No more worries about having change). The key works on all Rochester parking meters and electronic pay stations. There is a small one-time deposit. A 10% discount from parking meter fees is available to users of the Parking Meter Cash Key.

Cash Keys are available from the City Clerk's Office located in City Hall, 201 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN or call (507)328 -2900.

Pay By Space Lots

Pay lots are controlled by manual or electronic pay boxes. Select a parking stall, observe the stall number and if it's a manual pay box place your fee in the corresponding slot at the pay station. On the electronic boxes you will need to enter your space number and deposit coins for the amount of time you wish to park. Cash Keys also work in the electronic pay stations.

Meter Bags

The City does issue meter bags for construction and other miscellaneous activities. A fee of $6.00 per day per meter is charged. For more information contact Rochester Public Works at (507) 328-2400.

Monthly Parking

Monthly parking spaces are leased in the municipal ramps and lots. The number of monthly spaces is limited. For more information on monthly leases call Republic Parking Systems at (507) 282-4545.

Vehicle Height
(Limits in City Parking Garages)
Vehicle height limits for the municipal garages are listed below. If your vehicle exceeds these heights please contact the garage management about oversized parking at telephone (507)282-4545.

First Street Garage:
6'7" - All Entrances

Second Street Garage:
6'7" at 2nd Street Entrance
6'5" at 3rd Street Entrance

Third Street Garage:
8'2"

Center Street Garage:
7'

Civic Center Gargare:
8' on first level
7' above first level

Oversized Parking (Buses and Trucks)

Limited parking for buses and trucks in the downtown for Civic Center events and hotel guests is available. Contact Republic Parking Systems at (507) 282-4545 for details.

RV Parking

If you are visiting Rochester in an RV and staying in the downtown, oversized parking is available (No camping). If you are camping in the RV call one of the private facilities listed below. Some are served by public transit that will take you to the clinic and downtown.

Bob's Trailer Court (507) 282-8877
Silver Lake Motor Coach Court (507) 289-6412
Willow Creek RV Park (507) 282-1414
or (877) 282-1919
Zumbro Ridge Estates (507) 288-0659

* Please consult the yellow pages for additional listings.

Employee Parking

If you are a downtown employee or business please consider leaving the short term on-street and lot spaces available to customers and guests. There are 10 hour meters reasonably priced on the fringe of the downtown (10 hour meters have a green top). These meters also take Cash Key. For monthly leases in lots and ramps call (507) 282-4545. Another option is public transit. Most neighborhoods are 15 minutes by city bus from downtown. Daily commuter bus service to outlying communities is also available. Check out your transit options by calling Rochester City Lines Dispatch at (507) 288-4353 or ww.rochesterbus.com

Mayo Civic Center Events

The Mayo Civic Center is served by a number of parking ramps and surface lots within a short walk. The parking ramps are connected to the Civic Center by skyway. Your hotel/motel may also provide free shuttle service to the Civic Center.

Comments or Suggestions

Comments or suggestions regarding parking facilities should be submitted to:

Department of Public Works; Attention: Tony Knauer; 201 4th St. SE, Room 108; Rochester, MN 55904-3740

Or via email at: tknauer@rochestermn.gov