Downtown Orlando city parking rates rise and meters go digital-only on October 1

Since October 1, 2026, City of Orlando parking downtown costs more, paid hours run later, and payment is digital only. WKMG News 6 reported that the increases, "approved by the Orlando City Council last spring", are "now officially in effect". The free PARKDTO code still works.

What changed

• On-street parking: the city's rates page lists "1st hour: $2 2nd hour: $2 3rd hour: $3 4th hour: $4", and "Additional hours continue to increase incrementally, up to a max of six hours". It was $1 an hour before.
• Paid hours: payment is required "Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m." News 6: "up from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m."
• City garages: "$2 per hour for first four hours $3 per hour after 4 hours $20 daily maximum". The daily maximum was $15. The city also lists "$1 for the first 30 minutes", and these garage rates are "Not valid at the City Commons parking garage."
• No more meters: the city "is retiring all of its physical parking meters — there are about 1,000 total — and transitioning to a fully digital paid parking system". On-street payment is by "ParkMobile app, text to pay, or on website". The cashless policy "also applies to city garages and lots. They will only accept credit cards and digital payment methods."
• Which lots: the rates "are only valid at City of Orlando parking facilities (not privately-owned), unless otherwise noted".
• The city's projection: "an additional $5.5 million per year", as reported by News 6.

When

• In effect since October 1, 2026.
• The council's path: in April the plan was a vote "on May 11, with a second reading and vote to take place June 8". In May, the council "unanimously advanced" the increase, "the first rate adjustment in 17 years", with the second vote "expected to occur at City Council's June 8 meeting". News 6 says the increases were "approved by the Orlando City Council last spring".

Where

City of Orlando parking facilities downtown: on-street spaces, city garages and city lots. Private lots are not covered.

What it means if you live here

• Expect to pay $2 an hour on the street, rising after two hours, and until 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
• Parking is still free "from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m." and "on Sundays and city holidays".
• Have ParkMobile, text-to-pay or a card ready. Meters no longer take payment, and city garages and lots take only cards and digital payment.
• Use the free code where it fits. "Get up to 2 hours of FREE parking at any metered and non-metered parking spot in downtown by using the ParkMobile code: PARKDTO", "a maximum of sixteen (16) times per account". It still works under the new system. The program ends "when the allocated funding is expended or on December 31, 2026, whichever is sooner".