Parking in Charlotte

Who operates the Park It program?

The Park It Onstreet Parking Program is a Charlotte Department of Transportation turnkey operation outsourced to SPPlus. SPPlus manages the day-to-day operations.

The Park It office is located at 333 E. Trade Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28202.

Park It office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Park It phone number is 704-432-PARK (7275).

How many onstreet parking spaces are located Uptown?

There are over 1,200 on-street parking spaces.

How much does it cost to park at a meter?

Rates for most spaces in Center City are $1.50 per hour. Parking meters accept quarters, dimes, and nickels.

What do I do if a parking meter doesn't work?

If you have parked at a parking meter that is broken, please call 704-432-PARK (7275). Make sure you have the name of the street where the meter is located and the meter number.

When are the meters enforced?

Meters are monitored from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Parking at meters is free on city holidays.

Park It agents enforce parking rules in the Center City area on weekdays, weeknights, weekends and during special events.

How much are parking tickets?

Parking fine amounts vary depending on the violation. Please see Parking Fines.

How do I pay a ticket?

Parking citations can be paid in the following ways:
Online - Charlotte parking tickets can be paid online or by one of the traditional methods. Payments will be accepted through a secure server, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

By Phone - Payments can be made through Parking Ticket Payment's automated phone system by calling 980-270-2129. A $3.00 per ticket service charge will be assessed for tickets paid using the automated phone system, and all outstanding tickets must be paid.

By Mail - When paying a citation by mail, please enclose the citation and a personal check, money order or cashier's check (Do Not Send Cash) for the penalty amount indicated on the front of the citation. Make checks payable to the "City of Charlotte." Mail payments to:

Park It

333 E. Trade Street
Suite A
Charlotte, N.C. 28202

Drop Box - Payments can be deposited in the city's drop-box locations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

  1. Government Center, 600 E. Fourth Street, at the front entrance circle
  2. Government Center, at the handicap entrance off 200 South Davidson Street.

Please make all checks payable to the City of Charlotte. Do Not Send Cash. MasterCard, Visa and Discover are accepted.

What if I feel that a violation has been issued in error?

The Park It Onstreet Parking program has an administrative appeal process for individuals who believe their parking citation was issued in error. The appeals process was authorized by the Charlotte City Council.

The administrative appeal process includes three levels of appeal:

  1. Administrative Review
  2. Administrative Hearing
  3. Appeal through the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County

Submit an appeal form online (READ NOTE ABOVE FIRST).

As a matter of policy, the Park It program does not accept the following as grounds for appeal:

  • Lack of knowledge of the city's parking regulations.
  • Conflicts or tardiness going to or returning from appointments.
  • Inability to find a valid parking space.
  • Failure to have appropriate, sufficient amount of coins or alternate payment methods.

Park It

333 E. Trade Street
Suite A
Charlotte, N.C. 28202
704-432-PARK (7275)
Fax: 704-632-8140

What if I have questions or concerns about the violation?

  • Inquire by telephone at 704-432-PARK (7275)
  • Inquire in person at 333 E. Trade Street, Suite A, Charlotte, N.C. 28202
  • Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

What if I fail to respond to a violation?

  • If you fail to pay or appeal the violation within 30 days, a late fee of $25 will be applied to the violation amount.
  • If you continue to ignore your obligation to pay, the city may seek alternative forms of collection, including collection agency, credit bureau action, tax garnishment and small claims court.

When can my car be booted?

The City of Charlotte Park It program has authority to use wheel locks (boots) on illegally parked vehicles for which there are three or more outstanding, unpaid and overdue parking tickets for a period of 90 days. The operator of such a vehicle is known as a scofflaw.

When can my car be towed?

Towing Policy

The City of Charlotte Park It program has authority to tow illegally parked vehicles. When a parking agent discovers a vehicle parked illegally, the following procedures are followed:

  • The agent writes a ticket for the current violation and requests a wrecker to tow the vehicle.
  • The customer is charged for the ticket that caused the tow, any outstanding and unpaid parking tickets for a period of 90 days and any associated tow fees due the wrecker company.
  • A notification sticker is placed on each towed vehicle. The notification includes the citation number, the reason for the tow and how to appeal the citation.
  • A sticker is placed on the meter adjacent to where the towed vehicle was parked. The sticker includes the reason for the tow, license tag of the towed vehicle, how to appeal the citation and the address and phone number of the wrecker company holding the vehicle. If the vehicle was not parked at a meter, the sticker will be attached to a nearby object.

What if I feel my license plate number has been mistakenly cited on a parking violation?

Please contact Park It at 704-432-PARK (7275). Park It personnel will provide prompt assistance and will alert you to the evidence that must be presented to have the violation withdrawn.

Can I be held responsible for tickets issued to a vehicle that I co-own, even though I do not use the vehicle?

Yes. As a registered owner, you are liable for any tickets regardless of whether or not you were using the vehicle at the time the tickets were issued.

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