Philadelphia

Most metered street parking in Philadelphia is managed by the Philadelphia Parking Authority through pay-by-plate kiosks and the meterUP mobile app, which is powered by ParkMobile. You enter your license plate and the posted meterUP zone number at the kiosk or in the app, select how long you want to stay, and pay by card or digital wallet instead of feeding a traditional meter. ParkMobile also lets you reserve spaces in many garages and lots around the city so you arrive with a guaranteed place to park instead of circling for an open street space.

If you paid with meterUP or ParkMobile at a metered space, you can usually extend your active session in the app as long as you have not hit the posted maximum time for that block. The app will send alerts before your time expires so you can add more time remotely rather than rushing back to the car. When you know you will need longer than the on-street time limit, booking a ParkMobile garage or lot in advance is the easiest way to stay all day or into the evening without worrying about meter rules.

Every block in Philadelphia can have different rules, so always read all posted signs on both sides of the street before you leave your car. Typical metered blocks in busy areas have time limits, residential permit restrictions, or rush hour regulations that change by time of day, and you must follow the strictest rule shown on the signs. If you want to avoid juggling different street signs and time limits, choosing a ParkMobile garage or lot close to your destination gives you clear pricing and fewer surprises when you return.

Parking enforcement in Philadelphia is handled mainly by the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which patrols Center City, University City, commercial corridors, and residential permit areas throughout the day. Officers check license plates and meterUP records electronically instead of looking for a paper receipt, and they can ticket, boot, or tow vehicles that ignore posted rules or have significant unpaid fines. Keeping your vehicle information accurate in ParkMobile and starting your session as soon as you park helps ensure that enforcement officers can see your valid payment in their system.

Philadelphia has a few city specific rules that frequently catch visitors off guard, so it pays to slow down, check the curb, and plan ahead with a reserved spot when you can.Near intersections and fire hydrants: You may not park too close to corners, crosswalks, traffic signals, or fire hydrants, and violations carry higher fines in Center City and University City. When in doubt, leave extra space from the corner or hydrant and choose a nearby ParkMobile garage instead.Bus lanes and bus stops: Painted bus lanes and clearly signed bus stops must be kept clear at all times, and cameras on buses and along key corridors can trigger fines if you stop or park in those areas even briefly.Bike lanes and crosswalks: Parking in a bike lane, blocking a crosswalk, or stopping on a sidewalk is treated as a serious safety violation and can lead to expensive tickets.Residential permit areas: Many blocks near Center City and popular neighborhoods require a residential parking permit beyond a short posted time limit, so visitors should not assume they can leave a car there all day.Loading zones and double parking: Commercial loading zones are actively enforced, and double parking in travel lanes is prohibited even if you are only running inside for a minute.Snow emergency routes: Streets marked as snow emergency routes must be kept clear when the city declares a snow emergency, and vehicles left there can be ticketed and towed, so consider a ParkMobile garage if snow is in the forecast.

By checking signs, using the city’s meterUP system, and reserving a guaranteed space with ParkMobile before you arrive, you can spend less time worrying about parking in Philadelphia and more time enjoying your visit or getting your work done.

Metered street parking rates in Philadelphia vary by area, with Center City generally the most expensive. As of mid‑2025, meters in the Center City Core are around $4 per hour, with nearby Center City blocks typically about $3.50 per hour, and some outer and long‑term meters lower. Using ParkMobile to compare locations before you park lets you see the current hourly price and avoid surprises when you arrive.

Yes. Many garages and lots across Philadelphia allow advance reservations so you can secure a space before you drive into the city. With ParkMobile, you can search for participating facilities near your destination, compare prices and time windows, and book a spot ahead of time so you can skip circling the block and go straight to your reserved space.

Most Philadelphia neighborhoods, especially Center City and popular commercial areas, have posted time limits and meter hours, and these are strictly enforced. Always read the nearest sign or kiosk for rules on maximum stay, meter hours, and loading or residential restrictions, and move your car before your time expires. ParkMobile helps by letting you start and extend your parking session from your phone where permitted, and by sending expiration reminders so you can avoid tickets.

Philadelphia supports pay‑by‑phone parking in many metered areas, so you can pay without using coins or a physical meter. After parking, you enter the posted zone number, select how long you want to stay, and confirm payment in the app instead of at the meter. Using ParkMobile in these zones means you can manage your session remotely, extend time where allowed, and keep a clear digital record of your parking in case you need it later.