Parking meters
To increase parking opportunities and provide an easier way to pay, battery-powered – solar charged parking meters are located in the downtown Memphis area as well as in areas such as the Medical District.
These modern parking meters allow drivers to pay with coins and/or credit/debit cards. The meters do not make change or issue refunds. The multi-space kiosks use “pay and display” technology. Users follow prompts on the terminal to purchase the amount of desired time, starting at 30 minutes. A receipt is printed for display on the parked vehicle’s curbside dashboard.
The single space meters also accept coins and/or credit/debit cards. The kiosks and single space meters are as easy to use as modern gas pumps or ATM’s.
Please see the Parking Meter Map for details on days/times of enforcement and time limits allowed for parking in different areas. Rates at all meters are $1.50 per hour. There is a minimum payment of 50 cents.
The times of parking meter operation and enforcement cover Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm in the areas including the Central Business District (CBD), Medical District, Juvenile Court and North of Poplar. The maximum time limits of parking in these areas are a 2-hour parking limit from Mon.-Fri., 8 am-6 pm, and a 4-hour time limit on Sat. from 8 am-6 pm.
The parking meters located in the Entertainment District and South Main operate and are enforced from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm. The maximum time limits of for parking in these areas is a 2-hour parking limit from Mon.-Fri., 8 am-4 pm, a 4-hour time limit on Sat. from 8 am-4 pm, and a 6-hour limit on Mon.-Sat., 4 pm-10 pm.
Patrons can pre-pay for metered time beginning at 6:00 am at any parking meter. Pre-paid time is applied beginning at 8:00 am. Any remaining time left on a printed receipt can be used at any other parking kiosk prior to the expiration of time printed on the receipt.
FAQ
Why do we even have parking meters? Why can’t people just park for free anywhere they want downtown?
Parking meters are designed to create turnover and maximize the use of each parking space in order to accommodate short term parking demand in the area.
Why are time limits set for metered parking? What is the typical time limit for metered parking? Are there any holidays when the meters do not need to be paid?
Time limits are set to encourage turnover in spaces available for short-term on-street parking. Time limits on meters range from 30 minutes short term to 6 hours around locations appropriate for longer-term parking, such as restaurants and retail shopping establishments. Meter parking is free all day on Sundays and on the following holidays: January 1st, July 4th, Thanksgiving and December 25th. Time limits are posted on the parking meters.
How are credit card payments handled?
Credit card payments for the parking meters are handled by a third-party credit card clearing house. Credit card information is encrypted at the meter and immediately forwarded to the clearing house. The City does not handle credit card information.
How many on-street metered parking spaces are available?
The City manages approximately 1500 on-street parking metered spaces.
What is the current parking meter rate?
The current parking meter rate is $1.50 an hour at all on-street metered spaces.
Must a person with a handicap placard or tag pay an on-street parking meter?
No, parking at any metered space is free for drivers with valid and properly displayed handicap placards or license plates for the maximum current time limit posted on the meter. Tennessee Statute, T.C.A. 55-21-105(a) states: “No state agency, county, city, town or other municipality or any agency thereof shall exact any fee for parking on any street or highway or in any metered parking space. The parking privileges granted by this section are limited to any disabled driver or disabled passenger to whom the distinctive license plates or placards were issued.”
What is the method for securing parking meter spaces for special consideration such as dumpster parking for construction purposes?
Contact Traffic Engineering (901) 636-6710.