Changes to Downtown Pensacola Parking Begin May 1

In an effort to standardize downtown parking enforcement, a new rate plan in the City of Pensacola will take effect on Saturday, May 1.

Starting May 1, City of Pensacola parking in the downtown core area, including the Jefferson Street Garage, will be a standardized 50 cents per hour, with the first 30 minutes free. All parking fees must be paid by PARKPensacola app or at a PARKPensacola pay station.

Additional changes effective May 1 are as follows:

All free two-hour parking zones from Garden Street south and Palafox Street east will be monitored 24 hours a day/seven days a week to encourage prime parking space turnover, allowing more people to enjoy the downtown entertainment district.
On-street paid parking in the same area will be extended to 24-hour enforcement beginning at 8 a.m. every Thursday and continuing until midnight Sunday morning.

There are no changes to paid parking hours Monday through Wednesday. All streets north of Garden and west of Palafox will continue to be free after 5 p.m. and on Sundays.

“I am happy that we can make these adjustments, which will reduce confusion by standardizing rates, while providing more parking opportunities on some of our most desirable streets downtown,” said Lissa Dees, City of Pensacola parking manager. “Most importantly, these changes will provide the public access to city parking spaces – as well as more around-the-clock parking ambassadors on the streets to help our citizens safely navigate downtown and parking.”

The City of Pensacola’s public parking is identified by teal blue PARKPensacola signs. The city’s parking fees and policies do not apply to privately-owned facilities.

The City of Pensacola offers several additional free parking options downtown:

Spring Street between Main Street and Garden Street
Public parking lots at Bayfront Parkway, Belmont-DeVilliers and South Palafox Marina
After 5 p.m. in the Escambia County garage at Intendencia Street and Palafox Street
The Harbourview Garage on West Cedar Street

A map of free parking is available on the City of Pensacola website.

In addition to these parking changes, the City of Pensacola will be linking license plate data directly to the Pensacola Police Department. License plate readers will send alerts to PPD for major crimes including kidnappings and stolen vehicles, in an effort to enhance public safety in downtown Pensacola.

Parking Ambassadors will be on the street during enforcement hours and will be happy to help with any parking questions.

For more information about City of Pensacola parking, visit cityofpensacola.com/parking.

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.