St. Armands Circle Parking
Parking at St. Armands Circle is managed by the City of Sarasota Parking Division, which runs more than 1,600 public spaces across the Circle and Lido Key. The good news: the closest option is a parking garage with a free first hour, and there is also a free street-parking zone and free parking at Lido Beach.
This guide covers the garage, surface lots, street meters, free parking, accessible spaces, EV charging, and where to park when you want both the Circle and the beach. Rates and enforcement hours are from City of Sarasota sources and the St. Armands Circle Association, last verified August 2026. Confirm details on the City of Sarasota parking pages before you go.
Last verified: August 14, 2026
Parking map
The St. Armands Parking Garage at 57 N. Adams Drive is one block from the Circle. The Fillmore Lot is nearby on S. Adams Drive, and Lido Beach is about a 10-minute walk to the west.
Where to park: quick comparison
| Location | Address / area | Rate | Enforcement hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Armands Parking Garage | 57 N. Adams Drive | 1st hour free, $2 for 2nd hour, then $1/hr, $23 daily max | Paid 24 hours, daily (gateless system) | ~480 spaces + 23 adjacent lot spaces; EV charging on level 2; accessible spaces near elevators |
| Street parking around the Circle | Meters on and around the Circle | $1.50 per hour | Daily 8 a.m.-midnight | Free Sundays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and city holidays; 10 min free with plate registered |
| Fillmore Lot | S. Adams Drive near Monroe Drive | $1 per hour | Paid 24 hours, daily | Surface lot; free Sundays 7 a.m.-1 p.m. and city holidays |
| Free parking zone | N. Blvd of the Presidents, north of Madison Drive | Free | - | About 186 free spaces |
| Lido Beach Pavilion lot | 400 Ben Franklin Drive | Free | About 6 a.m.-11 p.m. | ~368 spaces next to the sand; no overnight parking |
| Ben Franklin Drive (beach) | Street spaces along Ben Franklin Drive | $1 per hour | Paid parking | About 80 premium spaces near the beach |
St. Armands Parking Garage (57 N. Adams Drive)
The St. Armands Parking Garage is the largest and most convenient structured parking option, one block from the shops. It holds about 480 cars with 23 additional spaces in an adjacent surface lot.
- Rate: The first hour is free when you register your license plate on the pay-by-app system or at the meter. The second hour is $2, and each hour after is $1, up to a $23 daily maximum.
- Payment: The City switched the garage to a gateless system in June 2025 — there are no entry/exit barriers. Pay by entering your plate at the pay stations or through the City's parking app.
- EV charging: Four electric vehicle charging stations are located on level 2.
- Accessible parking: Handicapped spaces are located throughout the garage near the elevator on each level.
- Note: No parking on level 1 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday.
- Special events: The City may offer a flat $5 rate during major events at the Circle.
Street parking around the Circle
Metered street parking rings the Circle and its approach streets. The rate is $1.50 per hour, in effect daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. Sundays are free from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and parking is free on city holidays. You get 10 minutes of complimentary parking after registering your license plate on the app or at the meter.
Street spaces near the restaurants and shops are the most convenient, but they turn over quickly during high season and events. If the streets look full, the garage or the free zone on North Boulevard of the Presidents are better bets.
Free parking at St. Armands Circle
There are about 186 free parking spaces on North Boulevard of the Presidents, north of Madison Drive, with additional free spaces south of Monroe Drive on South Boulevard of the Presidents. These fill early on weekends and in season, but they are the best free option for a day at the Circle.
Also free: the Lido Beach Pavilion lot (~368 spaces at 400 Ben Franklin Drive) and the first hour in the St. Armands Garage (with plate registration).
Parking for Lido Beach
The Lido Beach Pavilion lot is free, with roughly 368 spaces right beside the sand at 400 Ben Franklin Drive. It is open about 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. with no overnight parking, and it fills early on summer weekends and during peak season (January-April).
The 80 street spaces along Ben Franklin Drive near the beach cost $1 per hour, paid via credit card or the ParkMobile app. If the beach lot is full, a smart move is to park in the St. Armands Garage and walk the 10 minutes to the beach — you can then enjoy the Circle before or after without moving the car.
Accessible parking
Accessible parking is available in the St. Armands Parking Garage on every level near the elevators, and at designated metered spaces around the Circle. The Lido Beach Pavilion lot includes accessible spaces close to the beachfront walkways, and courtesy beach wheelchairs are available at Lido Beach (see the Lido Beach guide).
EV charging
The St. Armands Parking Garage has four electric vehicle charging stations on level 2. This is the only public EV charging the City of Sarasota lists in the St. Armands paid parking area.
Paying for parking
The St. Armands paid parking program is gateless: no barriers, no tickets. You pay by entering your license plate at the pay station or through the City of Sarasota parking app, or by credit card at beach-area meters. The City's parking division can be reached at 941-263-6475 or ParkingInfo@SarasotaFL.gov.
Alternative ways to get around
- BayRunner free trolley — open-air trolley linking downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, and Lido Beach, free to ride. A great way to skip parking entirely, especially on event days.
- Veo scooters — sit-down or stand-up rental scooters available around St. Armands, Lido Beach, and downtown.
- Walking — the Circle is compact, and Lido Beach is a 5-10 minute walk. Most visitors park once and walk everywhere.
When parking is busiest
Plan around these busy periods:
- High season (January-April): the busiest months for the Circle and Lido Beach.
- Weekends and holidays: expect full lots by mid-morning on nice weekends.
- Event weekends: art festivals, car shows, and holiday events draw large crowds; consider the trolley or arriving early.
- Sunset (October-March): Lido Beach parking fills before sunset as people arrive for the famous Gulf sunsets.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to park at St. Armands Circle?
Street meters are $1.50 per hour. The St. Armands Parking Garage is free for the first hour (with plate registration), then $2 for the second hour and $1 per hour after, up to $23 for the day. The Fillmore Lot is $1 per hour.
Is any parking at St. Armands Circle free?
Yes. About 186 spaces on North Boulevard of the Presidents (north of Madison Drive) are free. Street parking is free on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on city holidays. The first hour in the garage is free with plate registration, and the Lido Beach Pavilion lot is free.
Can I park overnight at the Circle or Lido Beach?
No. Overnight parking is not allowed in the St. Armands lots and garage, and Lido Beach parking is limited to roughly 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Hotels in the area offer guest parking; check with your hotel.
Is there accessible parking at St. Armands Circle?
Yes. The St. Armands Parking Garage has accessible spaces near the elevator on every level, and there are accessible metered spaces around the Circle and at Lido Beach.
Is there electric vehicle charging near the Circle?
Yes, four EV charging stations are on level 2 of the St. Armands Parking Garage at 57 N. Adams Drive.
What is the easiest way to avoid parking at St. Armands?
Ride the free BayRunner trolley from downtown Sarasota, or park once and walk between the Circle, the beach, and nearby hotels — the whole area is very walkable.
Plan your route first
See the map with the garage, free zones, and Lido Beach in context.