Where to Park in Downtown Ocala
Two city garages, free surface lots and metered streets around the Ocala Downtown Square, with space counts and rules from the City of Ocala.
Where is the best place to park in downtown Ocala?
The largest option is the City of Ocala's new Parking Garage No. 2, between W. Broadway Street and W. Fort King Street, entered from SW 2nd or SW 3rd Avenue. Parking Garage One, beside Citizens' Circle, has 280 public spaces. The city also runs several free surface lots, and street meters run weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Downtown Ocala's parking is run by the city's Downtown Services office, and the city says downtown has "a variety of free parking spaces, including those within the Downtown Parking Garage." The two garages take the most cars and are the easiest picks for busy nights such as the First Friday Art Walk, the Ocala Downtown Market and shows at the Marion Theatre. The free surface lots fill early on event days, and street meters are free on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays.
The city keeps an interactive downtown parking map showing every public lot and garage. Space counts on this page come from that map and the city's Downtown Services page.
- -Parking Garage No. 2 opened in September 2026 between W. Broadway Street and W. Fort King Street; enter from SW 2nd or SW 3rd Avenue. Its builder lists 800-plus spaces on six decks.
- -Parking Garage One (280 public spaces) and Lots 5, 6, 7 and 9 are free; the city parking map lists the surface lots as free at all times.
- -Street meters: $1.25 per hour south of SR 40 and $0.75 north of it, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No overnight parking and no trailers in city lots or garages.
Where is the new downtown Ocala parking garage?
Parking Garage No. 2 fills the block between W. Broadway Street and W. Fort King Street, about two blocks west of the Downtown Square. Drivers enter from SW 2nd Avenue or SW 3rd Avenue. The City of Ocala opened it in September 2026, and the city's parking page now leads with the notice that it is open.
Parking Garage No. 2 at a glance
- Block bounded by W. Broadway Street and W. Fort King Street; entrances on SW 2nd Avenue and SW 3rd Avenue
- More than 800 spaces on six elevated decks, three elevators and a speed ramp, according to design-builder SSC Construction Management
- No overnight parking without a city permit; no trailers
The garage is a precast concrete structure with precast brick and a pastel color palette on the outside, chosen to match the low-rise storefronts around it, according to the builder's project page. It is the city's second downtown garage. Parking Garage One, the older structure beside Citizens' Circle, has 280 public spaces, 8 of them accessible, and some spaces on each floor are marked for compact cars only.
Free downtown Ocala parking lots and garages
These are the public lots and garages on the City of Ocala parking map, with the space counts and rules the city lists for each. Locations are approximate; use the city map for exact entrances.
| Lot or garage | Where | Spaces | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Garage No. 2 | W. Broadway St. to W. Fort King St.; enter from SW 2nd or SW 3rd Ave. | 800+ (builder's figure) | Follow posted signs |
| Parking Garage One | Southeast of the Square, beside Citizens’ Circle on SE Osceola Avenue | 280 public spaces (8 accessible); some spaces on each floor are marked compact only | Free |
| Lot 5 | Northeast corner of N. Magnolia Avenue and NE 1st Street | 86 spaces | Free, all days, all times |
| Lot 6 | North of the Square, near NW 3rd Street | 96 spaces (3 accessible) | Free, all days, all times |
| Lot 7 | West of the Square, near W. Silver Springs Boulevard and SW 2nd Avenue | 36 spaces | Free, all days, all times |
| Lot 9 | Northeast corner of W. Fort King Street and SW 1st Avenue | 21 spaces (1 accessible) | Free, all days, all times |
| City Hall lot | City Hall, 110 SE Watula Avenue | 52 spaces (3 accessible, 1 Hero space) | Free, all days, all times |
| Customer Service Center lot | City Customer Service Center, SE 3rd Street | 84 spaces (5 accessible) | Free, all days, all times |
| Marion Theatre lot | Behind the Marion Theatre, S. Magnolia Avenue | 20 spaces (1 accessible) | Pay station, $0.75 per hour |
Source: City of Ocala Public Parking map layer, checked October 4, 2026. The city lists Garage One as free on its Downtown Services page and the surface lots as free "all days at all times."
How much are downtown Ocala parking meters?
Downtown Ocala street meters cost $1.25 per hour south of State Road 40 (Silver Springs Boulevard) and $0.75 per hour north of it. They run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and take coins, cards and the ParkMobile app.
Meter rules
- $1.25/hour south of SR 40; $0.75/hour north of SR 40
- Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Coin, card or ParkMobile
- Valid disability permit or DV plate: no charge for up to 4 hours
What is not allowed
- Overnight parking without an authorized city permit
- Trailers in any city garage or lot
- Parking against posted signs (the city asks drivers to follow all signage)
Parking for downtown events
For big downtown nights, start with the two garages, since they hold the most cars and are free. Parking Garage One is closest to Citizens' Circle, where the Brick City Beer & Wine Festival and many concerts take place (see our festival parking guide). Parking Garage No. 2 is on the west side of downtown, a short walk from the Downtown Square and the restaurants along Broadway and Fort King (see downtown dining).
Planning a night out? Our downtown Ocala guide covers shops, galleries and things to do around the Square, and the events calendar lists what is happening downtown this week.
Downtown Ocala parking FAQ
Where is the new parking garage in downtown Ocala?
Parking Garage No. 2 sits on the block between W. Broadway Street and W. Fort King Street, a short walk west of the Downtown Square. Drivers enter from SW 2nd Avenue or SW 3rd Avenue. The City of Ocala opened it in September 2026, and its design-builder lists more than 800 spaces on six elevated decks with three elevators.
Is parking free in downtown Ocala?
Much of it is. The City of Ocala says downtown has a variety of free parking, including the downtown parking garage, and its parking map lists Lots 5, 6, 7 and 9, the City Hall lot and the Customer Service Center lot as free at all times. Street meters cost $1.25 an hour south of State Road 40 and $0.75 an hour north of it, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Follow posted signs.
What hours do downtown Ocala parking meters run?
Downtown Ocala meters operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They take coins, cards and the ParkMobile app. Rates are $1.25 per hour south of State Road 40 (Silver Springs Boulevard) and $0.75 per hour north of it, according to the City of Ocala.
Can I park overnight in downtown Ocala garages?
No. The City of Ocala does not allow overnight parking without an authorized permit, and trailers are prohibited in all city parking structures and lots.
Do disabled drivers pay downtown Ocala parking meters?
Drivers displaying a valid disability parking permit or Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates do not pay municipal meters or pay stations in Ocala for up to four hours, according to the city.
Who do I contact about downtown Ocala parking or a parking ticket?
The City of Ocala Downtown Services office handles parking. Call 352-629-8379 or email parking@ocalafl.gov. The office is at 201 SE 3rd St., 2nd floor; business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the lobby is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Citations and permits are paid through the city’s online patron portal.
City of Ocala Downtown Services: 352-629-8379, parking@ocalafl.gov, 201 SE 3rd St. (2nd floor), Ocala, FL 34471. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; lobby 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
How we verified this guide
Every rate, rule and space count on this page comes from the City of Ocala's own parking page and parking map, checked October 4, 2026, and the garage builder's project page. Read our editorial guidelines.
Estacionamiento en el centro de Ocala
El nuevo Parking Garage No. 2 de la Ciudad de Ocala abrió en septiembre de 2026 entre W. Broadway Street y W. Fort King Street, con entradas por SW 2nd Avenue y SW 3rd Avenue, a dos cuadras al oeste de la plaza del centro. El Parking Garage One, junto a Citizens' Circle, tiene 280 espacios públicos gratis, y los lotes 5, 6, 7 y 9 son gratis a toda hora. Los parquímetros cuestan $1.25 por hora al sur de la carretera estatal 40 y $0.75 al norte, de lunes a viernes de 8 a.m. a 6 p.m. No se permite estacionar de noche sin permiso ni dejar remolques.