Parking Districts
Parking districts in Bend help organize parking and improve access for community members, visitors, and local businesses.
Parking districts are areas where the City of Bend manages parking, so community members and visitors can use nearby spaces more easily. These districts aim to help reduce parking problems, support neighborhood safety, and make it simpler to get around busy parts of the City. By setting clear parking rules in each district, the City endeavors to help both community members and visitors find places to park when they need them.
Map of Parking Districts
Refer to the map below for the current parking districts managed by the City of Bend.
Types of Parking Districts
Parking Benefit Districts
Parking Benefit Districts are special areas where the money collected from parking is planned to be spent right back in the same neighborhood. This helps pay for local improvements, like cleaner streets, safer sidewalks, and better overall livability for the people who live and visit there.
Old Bend Parking Benefit District
This Old Bend Parking Benefit District was created to help fix the problem of too many cars and not enough parking spaces. Its goal is to make the neighborhood safer and more comfortable for everyone by managing parking in a smart way. A committee made up of people who live in the district helps oversee how it works. This parking district is managed by the City of Bend.
City of Bend Managed Parking Districts
These are areas where the City works to balance parking needs for everyone.
McKay Parking District
The McKay Parking District is the area around McKay Park and The Pavilion. It was created to make sure that both community members who live within the district and visitors can find fair and easy access to the popular recreation areas along the Deschutes River.
Downtown Parking District
The Downtown Parking District helps make sure everyone can find a place to park in downtown Bend. By keeping track of how many parking spaces are available and how they’re used, the district encourages regular turnover so more people can visit local businesses. This helps keep downtown active, busy, and welcoming.
Privately Managed Parking Districts
Old Mill District Parking
Parking in the District is not managed by the City of Bend. In this district, there are over 1,400 free parking spots in designated lots off Bond Street, Columbia Street, and SW Bluff Drive, including overflow areas like the Riverbend Dog Park lot.
Parking Permits & Access
Parking permits support community members living within district boundaries by offering priority access to parking near their homes. People who live outside of the parking district are allowed to park in designated time‑limited areas, by obtaining guest passes, in special event parking zones, and paid on‑street corridors. Guest passes are only accessible by residential permit holders. Contractor permits are obtainable for specific job site within parking districts.
Oversight & Management
The City’s Parking Services Division of the Transportation & Mobility Department works with contractors to maintain safe, efficient, and customer‑friendly parking systems across all districts.
Diamond Parking
Diamond Parking manages the City of Bend’s parking system and helps provide good customer service, clear administration, and needed parking improvements. The company oversees parking facilities and parking tickets, and it also runs the Parking Compliance program.
Bend Patrol Services
Bend Patrol Services is the security contractor for the Centennial Garage in downtown Bend. The company’s role is to help keep the garage safe for people who park there.
Consolidated Towing Inc.
City of Bend Parking Services does not handle towed vehicles. If your vehicle has been towed, please call Consolidated Towing Inc. at 541‑389‑8080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parking districts are areas where the City of Bend manages parking to help reduce parking problems, support neighborhood safety, and make it easier for people to get around busy parts of the City.
Once an area is approved as a residential permit parking area, community members apply through the online permit portal. Virtual permits are issued after the required documents are submitted and reviewed.
Community Members who live inside a designated residential permit parking area may receive a permit for each vehicle they own, lease, or regularly use. Proof of residency and proof of vehicle ownership or custody are required. The total number of permits may be limited based on available on‑street spaces.
There are four main categories of permits used across parking districts:
Residential Permits
For people who live in the designated permit area and provide proof of residency and vehicle ownership. The number of permits may be reduced if available street parking is limited.
Construction and Service Vehicle Permits
For businesses or individuals doing construction, maintenance, or service work in the area. Requirements include:
- A valid business permit with the City of Bend
- Valid vehicle registration
- Annual permits available for a fee
Guest Permits
Community Members eligible for a residential permit may receive a guest permit:
- One‑year guest permit (January 1–December 31)
Only one active annual guest permit may be issued at a time.
Short‑Term Rental Guest Permits
For short‑term rental properties without driveways or alley access. Requirements include:
- Provided Short Term Rental Document must be placed in Information Book.
Acceptable proof includes:
- Driver’s license
- Current mortgage statement or rent receipt
- Utility bill showing the community member’s address
- Vehicle registration or lease agreement for the vehicle
Most permits are valid from January 1 to December 31, no matter when they were issued during the year.
Permits renew each year. The renewal period begins in October and ends on January 31. All renewals are handled through the online permit system.
Here is the fee schedule for permit types:
| Type of Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential | $25 (senior $15; income-qualified rate available) |
| Contractor | $10/day per vehicle; $45/week per vehicle; $60/month per vehicle |
| Short-Term Rental | $10/day up to 7 days; using provided QR Code $150 |
| Dashboard Guest (annual, one per dwelling) | No fee |
| Permit Portal Guest (1–5 days) | No fee |
| In-District Employee | $60 per year or $5 per month; must provide proper documentation |
The following vehicles are exempt when on official duty:
- Police and Fire & Rescue
- City of Bend vehicles
- Bend Park and Recreation District vehicles
- Vehicles displaying a valid disability placard are also exempt as allowed by law
These are areas near parks or popular outdoor attractions. Parking is limited to four hours to prevent all‑day parking. Parking is not allowed outside park hours.
Some streets within a parking district may be designated as special event areas when events take place nearby. These areas must:
- Be at least 32 feet wide for double‑sided parking
- Have parking available beyond residential needs
People who live outside of the parking district may park in these areas during events, and parking fees apply.
Yes. Employees who can show proof of employment may receive a permit that allows them to park on specific nearby streets.
Only vehicles with valid permits may park in a district, including recreational vehicles and campers.
The program is designed to give community members better access to parking near their homes and reduce parking by commuters. Parking strategies focus on managing parking by people who come from outside the parking district and park within the neighborhood.
People who live outside of the parking district may park in designated areas, which can include:
- Recreational parking areas (4‑hour limit)
- Paid special event areas
- Time‑limited business areas (such as 2‑hour zones)
- Future paid on‑street parking corridors
A Parking Benefit District is an area where parking revenue is used for neighborhood improvements such as safety upgrades, walking and biking infrastructure, lighting, trees, and other public‑space projects. A local committee helps guide how the money is spent. Community members in these districts may qualify for on‑street parking permits.
Parking fees help the district operate without using the City of Bend’s general fund. Extra revenue from parking can support projects suggested by neighborhood community members.
The program does not:
- Guarantee a parking space for permit holders
- Allow unregistered vehicles to stay parked more than 72 hours
- Override rules made by other authorities
- Exempt drivers from following traffic laws and posted regulations