Parking in Bloomington is complicated. Here's the easiest we could make it.

Whether you just moved to town or have lived here for years, chances are you have some questions about how parking works around Bloomington. Bike lanes get mistaken for parking lanes . Downtown is full of cryptically coded Indiana University lots that no one seems to know when they can use. Neighborhood streets can switch from unmetered to residential-only in the blink of an eye. And, as both the city and IU stay on top of parking enforcement around the clock, even a five-minute mistake can result in a ticket .

Parking in the downtown area is a mishmash of meters, time-restrictions, and app spaces, but with a little understanding of local lots, street regulations and parking costs, you can finesse low-cost or even free parking downtown without worrying about getting ticketed or towed.

Here’s a primer on how parking works downtown.

Where can I park for free in downtown Bloomington?

During the day, your best bet for free parking downtown is going to be a free two-hour spot in the areas just outside of the commercial district. While times vary, most are monitored between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

There’s plenty of spots on Washington and Lincoln streets just south of Third Street, as well as along Rogers Street north of Kirkwood Avenue. There are a few unmetered spots, such as around Rogers and Madison streets west of College Avenue, but these are often taken by area residents, so they’re not the easiest to find.

The city actively monitors parking, so don’t think just because it’s unmetered you can stay past the two hours. Remember also that two-hour parking applies for the whole street or block, meaning you can’t just move your car down the street after two hours are up.

Metered street spots and surface lots in Bloomington’s downtown are also free after 9 p.m. and all-day Sunday, as well as on all official city holidays . Parking in the city’s public garages is also free all day Sunday.

What’s the cheapest parking option downtown?

If you’re downtown and planning on being there for a while, one of the city’s four public garages is your best bet. Garages charge an hourly rate of 50 cents per hour, compared to $1 per hour for surface lots and street parking.

• Parking garages: 50 cents per hour
• Surface lots: $1 per hour
• Street parking: $1 per hour

If you have change, street parking is probably your best bet for quick, in and out parking, as you can pay as little as 5 cents for three minutes of parking.

All surface lot and street parking can be paid using the ParkMobile app. Look for the zone on a sign or meter. There is a 50 cent upcharge.

Some establishments, like Bloomingfoods and Kroger have parking lots, but it's not a good idea to park there and go elsewhere; most downtown establishments are strict about non-customers using their lots or customers leaving their cars after they’ve already shopped.

Where can I park at IU as a visitor?

Options for parking in IU controlled facilities are few and far between, but here are a few tips.

IU has six parking garages, all of which offer some visitor parking: the Atwater Avenue Parking Garage, the Fee Lane Parking Garage, the Forrest Avenue Parking Garage, the East Parking Garage on Eagleson Avenue, the Poplars Parking Garage on Sixth Street and the Henderson Parking Garage on Fess Avenue.

Parking is free in the garages after 6 p.m. on Friday and all-day Saturday and Sunday, unless otherwise posted.

IU also has three surface lots near Kirkwood Avenue where you can park after 5 p.m. on weekdays and anytime over the weekend. Those are Lot 402 at the corner of Sixth and Dunn streets, across the street in Lot 404, also at the corner of Sixth and Dunn streets (behind the Von Lee building), and Lot 412 at the corner of Fourth and Dunn streets (behind Starbucks and BuffaLouie’s). Steer clear of Lot 414, behind Toppers and Chow Bar, as that’s fully reserved.

Aside from that, IU has some metered, visitor spaces at its more public-facing buildings like the Herman B Wells Library, the Biddle Hotel and the quadrangle dorms. For a full list of visitor parking options, see IU’s parking map at parking.iu.edu/maps-locations/ under “IU Bloomington.”

What does a parking ticket cost?

Parking tickets from the City of Bloomington are generally $30 for basic citations like elapsed time or parking in front of yellow curbs. If not paid or appealed within 14 days, that fee doubles to $60 and will increase over time after that.

IU tickets are $25 for an expired meter and $50 for parking without a permit in a permit spot. These also increase if not paid or appealed within 14 days .

Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Parking in Bloomington is complicated. Here's the easiest we could make it.