Paid Parking at Reston Town Center Has Begun, Here's What You Need to Know

RESTON, VA — Like it or not, parking at Reston Town Center will no longer be free starting Tuesday, and the ParkRTC app is now active. A total of 28,000 people have downloaded the app so far, according to the Fallston Group, which represents RTC manager Boston Properties. Here's a few things to keep in mind when you park at Reston Town Center from here on out.

Parking garage rates: Parking will now cost you $2 per hour for the first two hours in a garage. After that, rates start falling to a low of about $1 per hour after 12 hours of parking. Garage parking is free on weekends and during major events.

Street parking is different: It'll cost you $3 per hour for a maximum of two hours. Street parking will only be free on Sundays, so if you come by Reston Town Center on a Saturday, you'll want to use the garage instead.

You don't have to use ParkRTC: Many locals have expressed concerns about privacy with the ParkRTC app, which developer Boston Properties wants visitors to use to streamline parking. While BP promises that it has taken every precaution to protect your privacy, you can still opt out of using ParkRTC and park at the garage. You can do this by paying online or using a pay station at the garage.

Who's validating? RTC has released a guide: We have our own poll of RTC restaurants regarding who will and will not be validating parking, but RTC has also put out a limited guide on parking validation that they are adding to. This guide not only shows the shops and restaurants that will validate, but for which garages.

Image via Reston Town Center