New Saturday Parking Hours for County-Operated Garages, Parking Lots and Meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring Go into Effect on Saturday, July 8

Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring will begin charging for Saturday parking beginning on Saturday, July 8. The Saturday hours and rates will be the same as the existing weekday schedules. Sundays will remain free. Drivers will be able to purchase monthly parking passes valid for mornings, evenings and weekends.

Parking revenue will be used to implement new safety and security measures in Downtown Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking facilities. This will include installing more lighting and cameras, in addition to maintenance. The Montgomery County Council approved the new parking schedule and a monthly pass with Resolution 20-167, "Setting Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares," as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget process. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will implement the changes in accordance with the resolution.

Paid parking on Saturdays already is in effect in Downtown Wheaton.

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.

“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,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Additionally, metered parking promotes turnover in parking spaces, which will increase the number of people who are able to dine and shop downtown. We expect these new Saturday hours to have a positive impact on our community and local businesses.”

Parking rates and hours effective 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.

For information on parking passes, parking options in the County’s parking lot districts and other parking programs in the County, visit the Division of Parking Management’s website.