think-urban: columbus

Urban Parking

Where did your car go? It’s the worst feeling in the world when you walk out to get in your car and it’s gone. Were you parked illegally? Was it stolen? Who do you call?

Many times moving to an urban neighborhood means leaving the driveway behind. When moving to an urban neighborhood in or around Columbus’ downtown area, you will notice signs up everywhere that say parking in that area requires a specific permit. Heed these warnings or you will most definitely find a ticket on your car. It differs with each neighborhood so it’s important to read signs closely before just parking anywhere.

If your car is missing:

Look at the nearest signs and find out whether you were towed from a private lot or a public/city lot.
If towed from a private lot, find out which towing company is used for that specific lot and contact them.
If towed by the city, no matter who the towing company is, your vehicle will be taken to the city lot at 400 W. Whittier St.
If your car has not been towed, it’s probably time to call the police.

Residential Parking Permits

All Residential Parking permits are issued at the Parking Violations Bureau (PVB) located at 400 West Whittier Street. PVB is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. You must apply in person and have all the following information:

Current vehicle registration
Proof of residency in the form of a lease, notarized letter from the landlord, a notarized letter from our employer or current utility bill
Permits are valid on a yearly cycle from September to September. Permit fees are prorated as follows:
September 1 to November 30 – Full price - $25
December 1 to February 28 - $20
March 1 to May 31 - $15
June 1 to August 31 - $10
Click here to download the Residential Parking Permit Application. Payment Methods Accepted: Visa, Master Card, Discover, Cash or Check.

Meter Parking

When using the parking meters downtown, the meters say “free holidays.” Some holidays like Christmas, are pretty obvious, others you might not suspect as being a free holiday. It should be posted on the meter but many of postings are weather worn and hard to read, so take time to read the list below for future reference.

Sundays and the following Holidays are the only "free" days at City parking meters

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas

The Transportation Division's Street Maintenance Section begins the annual street sweeping program each April. Street cleaning is done on a citywide non-posted basis and also in five Columbus neighborhoods that involve posted parking restrictions.

Cars not moved during posted sweeping dates will be towed at the owner's expense and other fines may apply! Sweeping programs are usually initiated by civic association request and considered in areas where there is a real need.

Pay Boxes

Parking lots with pay boxes are privately owned, and that owner can regulate the parking lot in anyway he sees fit. If you are parking in a lot that has a pay box, it is extremely important to find the sign in that lot and read the rules. Some owners choose not to allow the general public to park there. Before you lock the door and confidently walk away, know your car is safe, in a legitimate spot. In these lots there are numbers on each parking space. A main box located in the lot has numbered slots that correspond to each parking space. If you park in the space, to pay, fold your bills up and slip them into the corresponding slot. These slots are checked on a regular basis by either the lot owner or the towing company patrolling the lot. When the boxes are checked, the money is removed, and your license plate is recorded so if you leave and someone else parks in that spot without paying they will be towed, but if they come back around and you are still there, they will know you are paid up.

Online Ticket Payment

The City of Columbus offers a convenient Pay-By-Web Service. Keep in mind, if you fail to pay your ticket within the time period marked on the ticket, the cost will go up.

To pay parking tickets online follow these directions:

Go to ColumbusPVB.com
Enter the ten digit ticket number or plate number in the box below. If you don't know your ticket number, please call 614-645-6400 for assistance.
Select the Submit button to begin the secure credit card payment process. This link will take you to a secure site.
Follow the directions on the secure site to walk through the payment process.

Internet payments are not available for:

Tickets issued to vehicles that have been impounded
Tickets issued to vehicles that are on Registration Hold with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Tickets may not be immediately available for payment after issuance. Please check back each day or contact customer service at 614-645-6400 for further assistance.
Persons with 3 or more unpaid tickets are subject to Registration Hold prohibiting you from renewing your license tags.
Please call Customer Service at 614-645-6400 if you need further assistance, or email.

Towing Companies

All signs that warn against parking in a tow away zone should clearly post the towing company. Towing, depending on the company, usually exceeds $100.