Montgomery County To End Free Saturday Parking In Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring

BETHESDA/SILVER SPRING, MD — There will no longer be free parking on Saturdays at street meters and in Montgomery County-operated garages and parking lots in downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring starting July 8, the county announced this week.

The Saturday rates and hours will be the same as the rest of the week, while Sunday parking will remain free of charge, according to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

The new parking revenue from Saturday fees will be used to implement new safety and security measures in downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking facilities, the county said. The new measures will include installing more lighting and cameras. Paid parking on Saturdays is already in effect in downtown Wheaton.

“Revenue generated from the new Saturday parking hours will allow us to increase security measures in and around our parking facilities that will ensure our downtown areas remain safe and desirable destinations for residents and visitors,” MCDOT Director Chris Conklin said in a statement.

Metered parking also promotes turnover in parking spaces, which will increase the number of people who are able to dine and shop downtown, Conklin said.

“We expect these new Saturday hours to have a positive impact on our community and local businesses,” he added.

The Montgomery County Council approved the new parking schedule as part of its fiscal year 2024 budget process. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation said it will implement the changes in accordance with the county council’s resolution.

Parking revenue provides financial support to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the Silver Spring Urban District and the Wheaton Urban District for programs such as sidewalk and lighting maintenance and clean-and-safe crews throughout the downtown areas.

The parking rates and hours that will take effect on July 8 in downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will be:

Downtown Bethesda

• On-street: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.: $2.25 per hour
• Surface lot parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.: $2 per hour
• Garage parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.: $1.75 per hour or less

Downtown Silver Spring

• On-street parking: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.: $2 per hour
• Surface lot parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. -10 p.m.: $1.25 per hour
• Garage parking: Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.: $1.25 per hour or less

Signs alerting drivers of the new Saturday hours have been posted around downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring parking facilities, the county said.