Guide · 7 min read
Is Parking Free in Washington DC Today?
Updated August 2026 · Sources: DDOT, ParkDC, DPW.
The short answer
Metered parking in Washington DC is free on Sundays and on District and federal holidays observed by DDOT. Every other day, meters run 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM in most zones.
But "free meters" is not the same as "free parking." On a free day you can still be ticketed or towed for rush-hour zones, street sweeping, no-standing signs, bus zones, hydrants, and blocked driveways. That gap is where most holiday tickets in DC come from.
2026 DC holidays with free meters
DDOT suspends meter enforcement on these days in 2026. Confirm against the current DDOT holiday notice before you rely on it — observed dates shift when a holiday lands on a weekend.
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1 | New Year's Day |
| Mon, Jan 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| Mon, Feb 16 | Presidents Day |
| Thu, Apr 16 | DC Emancipation Day |
| Mon, May 25 | Memorial Day |
| Fri, Jun 19 | Juneteenth |
| Sat, Jul 4 | Independence Day |
| Mon, Sep 7 | Labor Day |
| Mon, Oct 12 | Indigenous Peoples' Day |
| Wed, Nov 11 | Veterans Day |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day |
DC Emancipation Day (April 16) is a District holiday, not a federal one — visitors from Maryland and Virginia routinely miss it in both directions.
What stays enforced on a free day
- Rush-hour tow-away zones. Connecticut Ave NW, 16th St NW, Rhode Island Ave NE and other arteries clear curb lanes on weekday peaks. If the holiday is a weekday and the sign doesn't exempt holidays, the tow truck still runs.
- Street sweeping. Signs like "No Parking 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Tue, Mar 1 – Nov 30" are day- and season-specific and apply to one side of the street. Sweeping is often suspended on holidays — but only if DPW announces it.
- No parking / no standing / bus zones. Enforced 365 days a year.
- Hydrants, crosswalks, driveways, corners. Never suspended, never negotiable.
- Signs that say "including holidays." A posted sign always beats the general rule.
Is RPP enforced on holidays?
Residential Parking Permit zones are generally not enforced on Sundays and holidays. The trap: a meaningful number of DC blocks post signs reading "2 Hour Parking … Including Sundays and Holidays" — common around hospitals, universities, Metro stations, and nightlife corridors like U St and H St NE. On those blocks, the holiday means nothing.
If you're a resident or a visitor with a guest pass, our DC RPP guide covers zones, guest passes, and the $60 overtime ticket.
Event days are the opposite of free
July 4 fireworks, Cherry Blossom weekends, Nationals and Commanders games, marathons, and inaugural events bring emergency no-parking signs — temporary orange or paper signs posted days ahead that override everything else on the block. Meters may be free while the curb itself is illegal.
Rule of thumb: if there's a temporary sign zip-tied to a pole, read it before you trust the holiday.
How to check for today, in 60 seconds
- Is it Sunday or a DDOT holiday? If yes, meters are free.
- Read every sign on the block — including the one behind you. Look for "including Sundays and holidays."
- Check for rush-hour hours if it's a weekday holiday on a major artery.
- Check for a street-sweeping day on your side of the street.
- Scan for temporary emergency no-parking signs.
Need help with step 2? Our guide to reading DC parking signs decodes the actual sign stacks, and the DC parking map guide covers which official maps show what.
Key takeaways
- Meters are free on Sundays and 12 DC/federal holidays in 2026.
- Free meters never suspend rush-hour, sweeping, hydrant, bus zone, or no-standing rules.
- RPP is usually off on holidays — unless the sign says "including Sundays and holidays."
- Emancipation Day (Apr 16) is DC-only; out-of-state drivers miss it constantly.
- Temporary event signs override every rule above.
FAQ
Is parking free in DC today?
Parking meters in Washington DC are free on Sundays and on District and federal holidays observed by DDOT. On every other day, meters are enforced from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM in most zones. Even on free-meter days, rush-hour tow-away zones, no-parking zones, fire hydrants, and street-sweeping signs are still enforced.
Which holidays is parking free in DC?
DDOT suspends meter enforcement on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, DC Emancipation Day (April 16), Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Always confirm against the current-year DDOT holiday notice.
Is parking free in DC on Sundays?
Yes — metered parking in DC is free on Sundays. Residential Parking Permit (RPP) restrictions are also generally not enforced on Sundays. Rush-hour restrictions do not apply on Sundays either, but posted no-parking, no-standing, and tow-away signs still do.
Is RPP enforced on holidays in DC?
Residential Parking Permit zone restrictions are generally not enforced on Sundays and holidays, but this is the most common place DC drivers get burned: some blocks carry signs that read 'including Sundays and holidays,' and those override the general rule. The posted sign always wins.
Do I still get towed on a free parking day in DC?
Yes. Free meters do not suspend safety and traffic restrictions. Rush-hour tow-away zones on arteries like Connecticut Ave NW and 16th St NW, bus zones, fire lanes, hydrant setbacks, and blocked-driveway rules are enforced 365 days a year, including Christmas.
This guide is informational and reflects rules as published by DDOT, ParkDC, and DPW as of August 2026. Posted signs and current District notices always take precedence.