Each public parking garage or lot has its own rate structures, rules, and regulations.

Some have spaces available for monthly or quarterly parking. The Department of Transportation issues permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees vary according to location. Permits are not available for commercial vehicles.

Learn more about public parking facility rates.

To learn more about monthly or long-term City garage or lot permits, visit the Parking Permit page.

After you pay at the meter, it will issue a receipt showing the time you purchased to park there. You can also use the receipt to park at another parking meter in the City.

• In Pay-N-Retain facilities, officers get data directly from the machines. You should keep your receipt as proof of payment, as well as a reminder of when to return to your car. If you lose your receipt, you can't get another copy of it.
• In Pay-N-Display facilities, motorists must display the receipt on their vehicle's dashboard so enforcement officers can easily read the parking expiration time through the front window. Motorcycle owners are responsible for finding a way to comply with the requirement posted on the meter.

Displaying Receipts on Motorcycles

To prevent theft or damage to the receipt, the Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends that you use a clear plastic holder attached to your motorcycle with a lock or other device. Devices made for this purpose can be found in specialty stores. 

An illustration of such a device and other information about parking meters are available online.

Learn more about parking meters.

Parking Grace Period

Drivers have a 5-minute grace period for parking meter and Alternate Side Parking zones. The law gives drivers an extra 5 minutes past the expired time on the parking meter receipt and Alternate Side Parking signs. During the grace period, parking tickets cannot be issued.

You can park at meters without depositing money on Sundays and the following major legal holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

If you try to pay during these times, your payment will be rejected. The meter will display a "Meter Off, Read Posted Signs" message.

All parking regulations, other than parking meters, remain in effect as posted.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has changed signs throughout the City to reflect the current rules, but some signs may still display the old regulation.

You may not park in an unsecured lot overnight.

If you park after hours in an unsecured lot, you may get a ticket and your vehicle may be at risk of theft.