Did you know that your car is tagged downtown to track how long you’ve been parked? What about the City of Lakeland’s interactive parking map or app?
Don’t fret — we’re breaking down all you need to know about parking.
Free on-street parking is available to everyone downtown for up to two hours every day and is unlimited after 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and all weekend long. Car tagging and tracking begin at 9 a.m., and your two hours start as soon as you park.
This means that your time will continue whether you’re parked on Main Street or Kentucky Avenue, accruing time within the same zone, unless extended by $1 per hour, up to an added two hours.
Wondering where else you can park? Check out the city’s garage, lot, and accessible options.
Parking lots + garages
All off-street city metered parking lots + garages charge $1/hour for parking with a daily rate of $6. Wanting to park in a lot or garage for free? Here’s when you can do so:
- Main Street Garage — Monday-Friday after 3 p.m. and all day on weekends
- Summit Parking Garage — Monday-Friday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.
- Heritage Parking Garage — first and second floors only after 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and all day on weekends.
- Munn Park, North Kentucky, North and South Tennessee, Trinity Church, and East Orange Street Lots — Monday-Friday after 5 p.m. + all day on weekends
- Oak Street Lot — in designated spaces for up to two hours, after 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and all day on weekends.
- South Massachusetts Lot + Orange Street Garage — only during events such as the Christmas Parade.
Accessible parking options
- Residents with accessible licenses or placards may park on-street for double the listed time. For example:
- Two standard hours free = Four hours free for accessible plates or placards
- For those interested in off-street parking, Munn Park and the Main Street Garage’s Cedar Street entrance allow for unlimited free parking.
- Residents with a Combat Wounded license plate or Purple Heart license plate can park for free all day.
Any public, accessible-marked space is available for free, unlimited parking.
If you want to park for free, make sure to look for the white and green.
Photos by @thelaltoday
ParkMobile vs. 717 parking apps
Upon registration, residents and visitors can pay for parking, add to meters, extend free parking, and log visits downtown via the ParkMobile Parking App. You’ll know you’re in a city-owned zone and can pay via ParkMobile by the green and white signs. Note: These signs are gradually being replaced with green and black signs throughout downtown.
If you see a blue sign for 717 Parking Enterprises, that particular lot is privately managed, meaning it has its own parking rules, rates, and payment system via the 717 Parking App.
