Orlando Will Transition to Cashless Parking System
The city will remove 1,000 physical meters on October 1 as part of a move to a fully digital parking infrastructure.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Remote Work
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Starting October 1, 2026, Orlando will eliminate approximately 1,000 physical parking meters in favor of a cashless digital system. The city is also raising parking rates and extending enforcement hours to support maintenance and technology upgrades.
Why it matters
The city aims to reduce curb clutter and long-term equipment maintenance costs while generating $20 million in revenue over the next five years. This shift ensures the self-funded parking division can continue to manage municipal parking garages and infrastructure.
The new fee structure sets parking at $2 an hour for the first two hours, $3 for the third hour, and $4 for the fourth hour. Garage parking will reach a maximum daily charge of $20, replacing the current flat rate of $1 per hour.
The players
ParkMobile
This company provides the mobile payment platform that the city has utilized since 2015 to manage paid parking operations.
City of Orlando
The municipal government is responsible for managing local infrastructure, including a self-funded parking division created in 1982.
The details
Drivers will manage parking payments through mobile apps, text messages, or phone calls, building on the city's 2015 partnership with ParkMobile. The city has already tested the phased transition in the SoDo and South Eola neighborhoods.
Timeline
The parking division was established in 1982.
Parking rates were last increased in 2009.
The city partnered with ParkMobile in 2015.
Revenue needs were presented to city commissioners in April 2026.
The digital system and new rates take effect October 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
The shift toward cashless operations aligns with a nationwide trend among municipal parking divisions seeking to minimize equipment costs. By moving to digital management, the city positions its parking enterprise to maintain financial independence and infrastructure viability.
Residents and visitors must now pay for parking via phone or app between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Users can continue to access two hours of free parking up to 16 times by using the code ParkDTO.
The takeaway
Drivers should prepare for the transition by downloading the necessary mobile payment applications before the October deadline. Keeping the ParkDTO code saved will remain the primary way to claim free parking time under the new system.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest infrastructure changes in Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Orlando Weekly.
Live Poll
Do you support the city replacing all physical parking meters with a digital-only payment system?
