Free Parking in Columbia, SC: Where to Find It
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Columbia parking is free after 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday. Saturday is free outside the Five Points District and Bull St. District. The rule covers on-street parking and gateless facilities, including PJ Cannon at 1227 Taylor Street, Washington Deck at 1136 Washington, Taylor Deck at 1101 Taylor, and Devine Street Deck at 2221 Devine (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Parking Near Columbia
Free Evening and Sunday Parking at Columbia’s City Facilities
Columbia makes parking free after 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, all day Sunday, and all day Saturday outside the Five Points District and Bull St. District. The City of Columbia applies those free periods to on-street parking and gateless facilities, giving evening visitors and Sunday drivers a practical way to avoid a parking charge (parking.columbiasc.gov).
The city’s named gateless facilities are PJ Cannon at 1227 Taylor Street, Washington Deck at 1136 Washington, Taylor Deck at 1101 Taylor, and Devine Street Deck at 2221 Devine. Saturday parking at those locations is not free in the Five Points District or Bull St (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Parksy Parking Near Columbia’s Lincoln Street Area
A priced Parksy option near central Columbia is outdoor parking at the 2012 Lincoln St Lot, 0.8 miles away, at $1 an hour.
Parksy also lists a secure 24/7 parking lot in Columbia at $75 a week and secure gated parking in West Columbia at $165 a month, both 7.3 miles away. Parksy lists affordable parking in West Columbia at $25 a month, 7.8 miles away, for drivers willing to park farther from central Columbia.
Columbia’s Busiest Periods and Lower-Cost Parking Fallback
Free spaces in Columbia are most difficult to find during weekday daytime visits, when the city’s paid on-street and facility system is operating, and during events that draw drivers into central districts. Saturday demand is also more complicated because the city’s free Saturday rule excludes the Five Points District and Bull St. District (parking.columbiasc.gov).
For a short daytime fallback, the 2012 Lincoln St Lot is listed at $1 an hour and 0.8 miles away.
Columbia Districts That Change the Free-Parking Calculation
Columbia’s free Saturday rule does not apply in the Five Points District or Bull St. District (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Columbia’s free periods cover on-street parking and gateless facilities, but free timing does not remove other posted restrictions attached to a particular space. The City of Columbia Parking Services Department provides the city’s on-street, garage, and lot programs and enforces parking regulations, so a driver’s ability to use a space still depends on the signs and markings at that location (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Columbia Parking Citations, Payment Locations, and Late Fees
Columbia adds a $25 late fee to a citation when an unpaid balance reaches 30 days. At 60 days unpaid, the city adds another $25 late fee, and on the 61st day the citation transfers to collections with an additional $15 transferable fee (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Columbia accepts citation payments by check or money order through the drop box at the Parking Services Customer Center at 820 Washington Street or the City Payment Center at 3000 Harden Street. Walk-in payments at either Columbia location accept credit or debit cards, money orders, checks, or cash; the city states that credit-card payments carry a minimum $1.95 fee. Drivers can call (803) 545-4015 to find the amount owed on a cited vehicle (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Columbia provides a specific review route when a driver paid through Passport but received a citation because of a wrong plate number or state: the driver must email ParkingServices@columbiasc.gov within 7 days, putting the citation number in the subject and attaching a screenshot of the active Passport session (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Photo: Pexels / Harrison Haines Sources
* Please note: parking prices, time limits and fine amounts change frequently and vary by operator, council and local authority. Everything on this page is indicative and provided on a best-endeavours basis. Always check the sign, the operator or the issuing authority before you rely on a figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can I Find Free Parking in Columbia, South Carolina?
Columbia parking is free after 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday. Saturday is free outside the Five Points District and Bull St. District. The rule covers on-street parking and gateless facilities, including PJ Cannon at 1227 Taylor Street, Washington Deck at 1136 Washington, Taylor Deck at 1101 Taylor, and Devine Street Deck at 2221 Devine (parking.columbiasc.gov).
When Is Parking Free in Columbia?
Parking is free after 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday. Parking is also free all day Saturday outside the Five Points District and Bull St. District. These free periods apply to on-street parking and gateless facilities (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Which Named Columbia Parking Facilities Are Free During the Free Periods?
The City of Columbia’s named gateless facilities are PJ Cannon at 1227 Taylor Street, Washington Deck at 1136 Washington, Taylor Deck at 1101 Taylor, and Devine Street Deck at 2221 Devine. The city applies its free periods to gateless facilities (parking.columbiasc.gov).
Is Saturday Parking Free in Five Points or the Bull St. District?
No. Columbia’s free Saturday rule does not apply in the Five Points District or Bull St. District (parking.columbiasc.gov). Saturday parking at the named gateless facilities is not free in those districts. Saturday demand is also more complicated because those districts are excluded from the city’s free Saturday rule.
What Is a Lower-Cost Daytime Parking Option Near Central Columbia?
For a short daytime fallback, Parksy lists outdoor parking at the 2012 Lincoln St Lot, 0.8 miles away, at $1 an hour. Free spaces are most difficult to find during weekday daytime visits, when Columbia’s paid on-street and facility system is operating, and during events that draw drivers into central districts.
What Happens If a Columbia Parking Citation Remains Unpaid?
Columbia adds a $25 late fee when an unpaid citation balance reaches 30 days. At 60 days unpaid, the city adds another $25 late fee, and on the 61st day the citation transfers to collections with an additional $15 transferable fee (parking.columbiasc.gov).
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