Jim Carchidi
May 6, 2025
Parking in downtown Orlando could get pricier if city leaders side with a request from the parking division. A proposal, up for vote at the next city council meeting, would raise downtown parking fees for the first time since 2009.
Current rates
Graphics compare Orlando's parking rates to other cities. Images courtesy of Orlando Parking Division
The on-street parking rate is currently $1 per hour with a maximum of two hours in most areas. Off-street parking at city-owned garages is $2 per hour for up to seven hours with a maximum daily charge of $15. Proposed increases to hourly rates would also extend on-street parking hours while setting Orlando rates more in line with those of Tampa.
Proposed increases
The parking division request was presented at an April 20 city workshop and calls for on-street rates to start at $2 per hour for the first 2 hours. The fee would then increase an additional $1 per hour up to 6 hours. The proposal also calls for on-street parking to be enforced from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
According to presentation notes, higher on-street fees are expected to improve parking availability during peak demand hours and support local businesses by increasing the availability of sidewalk spaces. The on-street price hike is also meant to incentivize the use of lots and garages for extended parking needs; however, off-street parking would also be affected by the proposal.
Hourly off-street parking at city garages and lots would start at $2 per hour for the first four hours. The fee would then increase to $3 per hour for the 5th, 6th, and 7th hours. The daily max would also increase from $15 to $20. Monthly parking and event parking would also rise up to $10 above current rates.
Violations
The standard parking violation fee would increase from $27 to $32, and from $37 to $57 for more severe violations posing life and safety hazards. Boot fees would increase from $100 to $120. Late payment fees would increase from $15 to $20, but would go into effect after 21 days instead of the current 14 days.
Free parking and employee incentives
The proposal would not affect a city program in cooperation with the ParkMobile app, which allows free two-hour parking sessions at metered and non-metered spots. Visitors can access up to 16 sessions through December 31 by entering the "PARKDTO" code in the app.
The proposal would also keep the existing Service Employee Incentive Program, offering downtown service workers a $65 per month parking permit for select garages. Program hours currently run from 5:30 p.m. to 5:29 a.m. but an extension would begin parking hours at 2:30 p.m.
What’s next
Parking division leaders say revenue from the increases would be invested in garage maintenance and upgrades ranging from cashless and meterless payment systems to real-time tracking technology for listing available spaces.
City Council members will hear and vote on the first reading of an ordinance enacting the proposed increases at their May 11 meeting. A second reading and vote is scheduled for June 8. If approved, the increases would take effect on October 1 of this year.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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