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Detroit

Detroit Airport Cracks Down on Curbside Parking

Violators face a $70 fine and towing as a new North Cell Phone Lot with 145 spaces opens at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Air Travel

Wide photograph of an empty airport curbside lane with a tow truck parked at the edge beside a painted cell phone lot under overcast daylight.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport began enforcing a zero-tolerance curbside parking policy, fining violators $70 and towing unattended vehicles as a 145-space North Cell Phone Lot opens. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on curbside terminal parking, citing violators with a $70 fine and towing unattended vehicles. The Wayne County Airport Authority has opened a new North Cell Phone Lot with 145 spaces to ease arrivals pickup.

Why it matters

The airport says the new lot is intended to reduce congestion at the curb and create a safer environment for travelers and drivers. Travelers picking up passengers ahead of the holiday rush will need to adjust where they wait.

Curbside terminal parking carries a $70 fine and towing for unattended vehicles under the airport's zero-tolerance policy. The new North Cell Phone Lot offers 145 spaces, while the South Cell Phone Lot remains unchanged.

The players

Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the Detroit metropolitan area in southeastern Michigan.

Wayne County Airport Authority

The Wayne County Airport Authority is the public body that owns and operates Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The details

Drivers must remain in a cell phone lot until they receive confirmation that passengers have their bags and are waiting at the curb. The new lot sits at Rogell Drive and Burton Drive, on the same side of the road as the Warren C. Evans Terminal, so drivers no longer need to park near the I-94 exit and use the turnaround.

Timeline

  1. Late November 2026: North Cell Phone Lot scheduled to open

  2. Ahead of the holiday travel rush: new lot opens to ease arrivals pickup

Season Trajectory

The new North lot extends the airport's existing South Cell Phone Lot model by adding a second staging area ahead of the holiday travel period. Leaving the South lot unchanged means the airport is expanding waiting capacity rather than replacing its arrangement.

Travelers picking up passengers should plan to wait in a cell phone lot until receiving confirmation that bags are ready and passengers are at the curb. Drivers should avoid curbside terminal parking, since violations carry a $70 fine and towing.

The takeaway

Waiting in a cell phone lot instead of at the curb avoids fines and towing while easing congestion for everyone at the terminal. Confirm passenger readiness before heading to the arrivals area.

Further reading

For more on airport logistics, see Air Travel coverage in Detroit.