On-Street Parking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the city’s on-street parking program?

The City of Charlotte’s On-Street Parking Program manages all on-street parking (metered and non-metered spaces), residential parking permit zones, and loading zones in South End, Elizabeth, NoDa and Commonwealth Avenue in Plaza Midwood.

How does the city manage on-street parking?  

The management of daily operations is outsourced to a contractor. The contractor enforces parking regulations, issues citations, monitors the city’s commercial and passenger vehicle loading zones, conducts special event enforcement, maintains parking meters, equipment, and signage, and provides customer service.

WHO DOES ON-STREET PARKING SERVE?  

On-street parking is used to serve people and businesses in a short-term capacity. It is a critical resource to support retailers and other businesses as a convenient parking option for customers. 

WHY IS THE CITY MAKING CHANGES TO THE HOURLY RATE AND DAYS OF OPERATION?  

The city parking program received City Council’s vote through adoption of the budget to increase the on-street parking rate from $1/hr. to $1.50/hr. and to extend operational hours to Saturdays.

A recent parking occupancy and duration study provided insight to the parking demand in the Uptown and South End districts. This study included three types of on-street parking: metered, time-restricted, and unrestricted spaces. The evaluation was over a 6-day period (Monday-Saturday) and occurred from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.  In total, the evaluation observed parking behavior for approximately 30,900 parking sessions. The analysis covered parking demand across 1,979 on-street parking spaces, and the study’s recommendations were:

• Extend the Days of Operation: Parking behavior on Saturdays and during evenings met or exceeded the demand for parking during managed parking hours (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.), highlighting the need for managed parking on Saturdays.
• Increase the Hourly Rate: A rate increase can help shift long-term parking demand from the on-street parking system to the off-street parking system. Parkers that receive free or low-cost access to the on-street parking system typically have longer parking sessions and use a higher percentage of the on-street parking supply.

The city is currently studying our On-Street Parking & Curb Lane Management Program and there will be opportunities for public engagement and feedback in the coming months

HOW WILL THE CITY USE THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE?  

Fees collected go into the city’s General Fund, and the increase will help the city maintain streets and achieve broader transportation goals.