Austin Transportation's Parking Enterprise Division manages curb space to encourage equitable access for residents, visitors, and businesses, while also promoting safe mobility for the entire community.

Parking Enforcement

Be sure to always read posted signage for information on parking regulations and enforcement. Please contact Austin 3-1-1 to report a malfunctioning or damaged parking meter or posted sign.

  • The City of Austin does not regulate nor enforce parking on the University of Texas campus or within the State Capitol Complex.
  • City of Austin parking meters are not enforced on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
  • The City of Austin will not tow legally parked vehicles for being left overnight. 
  • Parking is not allowed on 6th Street between Red River and Brazos streets from Thursday through Sunday, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. The Austin Police Department will tow vehicles from this area.

Paid On-Street Parking

On-street parking in metered areas is ideal for short-term visits. Below on this page is a list of parking lots that are regulated by the City of Austin.

View the parking map in a new window.

Metered Parking Areas and Schedules

Metered Parking Area

Parking Hours

Downtown: I-35 to Lamar Boulevard, and Lady Bird Lake to 10th Street

Monday and Tuesday – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday – 8 a.m. to midnight
Saturday – 11 a.m. to midnight.

Central-North Austin: West of State Capitol area; University of Texas West Campus and North Campus (up to 29th and 30th streets)

West Austin: Sections of West 5th Street and nearby streets

Monday through Saturday – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

South Austin: Barton Springs Road and South Lamar Boulevard, including Toomey Road, Lee Barton Drive and nearby areas

East Austin: Several streets between I-35 to Chicon Street

Monday through Saturday – 8 a.m. to midnight

Mueller: Aldrich Street, Simond Avenue, McBee Street, Mattie Street, Robert Browning Street, Philomena Street, and Garcia Street

Monday through Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday – 10 a.m. to midnight

Colorado River: Stephen F. Austin Drive, Veterans Drive, Atlanta Street, Foster Avenue, Deep Eddy Avenue and Hearn Street

Monday through Friday – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Walsh Landing Monday through Sunday – 8 a.m. to midnight
Q2 Stadium: Brockton Drive, Beatrice Cove, McHale Court, Donley Drive, Delta Drive, Denton Drive, Metropolitan Drive, Energy Drive, Boyer Blvd, Centimeter Circle Active on Q2 Stadium event days – 8 a.m. to midnight
Woods of Westlake: Scottish Woods Trail Monday through Sunday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How to Pay for Parking

Austin parking follows a tiered pricing structure to promote turnover of street parking spaces to increase community access to places of interest.

  • Pay by mobile payment app: Customers have different mobile payment options for street parking. 
    • Park ATX, Austin's mobile payment app. Some parking areas are "mobile pay only" in Austin to facilitate contactless transactions. Park ATX mobile app users can use eligible promo codes for free short-term parking sessions, including FREE15ATX1 and FREE15ATX2.
    • The Way.com app allows users to pay for on-street parking within Austin. Users enter their license plate number, vehicle information and length of stay.
  • Pay at a pay station: Enter your license plate number at the pay station to start your parking session and pay with a credit card or coin. Paper currency is not accepted at the pay station. Card transactions at pay stations will have a single $0.25 charge to cover processing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pay-by-Plate

Do I still need to add a sticker on my window?

The pay-by-plate parking system requires customers to simply enter their license plate number when paying at a pay station, so customers do not need to display a sticker for their parking

I didn’t receive a receipt at the pay station. Does that mean I didn’t pay?

Printing a receipt is optional. If you completed a payment transaction and did not receive a requested receipt, check your bank account first before attempting to pay for another session or contact Austin 3-1-1 to submit a service request.

Without a sticker on my dashboard, how will parking enforcement know that I paid?

City of Austin parking enforcement officers are able to look up license plate numbers for valid parking sessions. Please make sure to enter your license plate number correctly at the pay station to avoid receiving a parking ticket.

On-Street Parking Rates

The following rates are effective Sept. 1, 2020. Card transactions at pay stations will have a single $0.25 charge to cover processing costs. This cost is separate from the rates in this table.

Parking Session

Hourly Rate

1st hour

$2.00

2nd hour

$2.00

3rd hour

$3.00

4th hour

$3.50

5th hour

$4.00

6th hour

$4.50

7th hour

$5.00

8th hour

$5.00

9th hour

$5.00

10th (maximum time in a single parking session)

$5.00

Individuals with disabilities who have a parking hangtag or license plate with the International Symbol of Access may park on the street at no cost but must observe time limits. Private parking garages and lots may have different rules.

Motorcycles and mopeds/scooters may park on the street at no cost and must observe a 12-hour time limit. After 12 hours, drivers may receive a parking ticket.

Active Permits for Reserved Parking Spaces

This interactive map displays permit information related to reserved parking spaces for construction and special events. This information includes affected meter space number, permit name, permit description, and permit end date. This viewer is updated daily to reflect the latest information. This map does not convey parking permits for excavation work.

View the active permits map in a new window.

Off-Street Parking

Austin Transportation also offers off-street public parking options. The following options are managed by Austin Transportation. Other off-street parking may be managed by other City of Austin departments.

If you are a downtown employee looking for long-term transportation solutions, you can find sustainable options through Get There ATX or low-cost parking options through the Affordable Parking Program.

I-35 Parking Lot

  • The I-35 lot is operated through mobile payment only and is $2 per hour. Download the Park ATX app.
  • Parking meters at the I-35 lot are enforced Monday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. 
  • Parking is $7 a night Monday through Thursday and $8 a night Friday and Saturday. Parking is free on Sunday.
  • Cars that are left in this parking lot from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday morning may be towed due to routine cleaning.  

MoPac Parking Lot by Stephen F. Austin High School

  • Parking meters are enforced Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Parking rates are the same as on-street parking.

Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Parking Lot

  • Parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.
  • Parking is $2 per hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. is a flat rate of $5. For paid time that continues after 6 p.m., the $5 flat rate is added to existing payment and parking expires at 3 a.m.
  • The parking lot has an entrance gate that is managed by the Mexican American Cultural Center.