New rates for parking meter fees and parking fines went into effect Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as part of changes approved by the Alexandria City Council during the FY 2027 Budget process.

Beginning July 1, 2026:

• Most on-street parking meter rates will increase to $2.75 per hour
• Most parking fines and citations will increase to $55 per violation

The rate changes will apply to most metered parking spaces in the City of Alexandria. The City Council approved ordinances updating the rates and fees at the April 18, 2026 City Council Public Hearing.

As an attractive destination for area residents, workers, and visitors alike, parking in Alexandria is always in demand. To provide fair and convenient access, public parking spaces are time-delimited and may be metered. Please carefully note any parking restrictions on nearby signs before parking. Also note that unless a sign provides for longer parking, vehicles may not be parked on the street for more than 72 hours at a time (not including Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays below) without being moved.

• Multi-space meters accept credit cards, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar coins. Alexandria uses pay-by-plate meters - the license plate of the parked vehicle must be entered to authorize the vehicle to park for a given time in that meter zone.
• It is illegal to “feed the meter” to extend your time past the posted limit. For example, if the maximum posted time limit is two hours, you must move your vehicle off of the block after two hours regardless of whether you purchase more time.
• Typically, payment on metered blocks is required Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 6 p.m., and it is typically free to park on metered commercial blocks on Sundays and state holidays. However, time and day restrictions can vary for each metered block, so signs on each block should be read thoroughly to verify specific block restrictions. Metered lot spaces require payment during the hours posted on each meter.
• Some residential blocks near metered areas in Alexandria require payment to park if a vehicle does not have the applicable district parking permit. These blocks may charge higher parking rates and have longer hours and days of restrictions (including Sundays). Please read all signage carefully before parking. Learn more about the Residential Pay-by-Phone Program.
• To report a broken parking meter in the City of Alexandria, use Alex311. For other issues related to meter maintenance, contact the Traffic Operations division at 703.746.4006.

• The City has installed multi-space parking meters throughout the City.  Unfortunately, these meters do occasionally fail to operate properly.  Customers seeking reimbursement for failed parking meters may do so by following the instructions in the Parking Meter Refund Policy.   
  • Note:  All refund requests must be submitted in writing and include a valid Service Request ID from the Customer Connection Center and a certification of a failed meter by a Parking Meter Technician. 

Parking meters do not require payment, and parking in residential parking permit districts is not time-delimited, on federal holidays:

• New Year's Day (Jan. 1)
• Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (3rd Mon. in Jan.)
• George Washington Day (3rd Mon. in Feb.)
• Memorial Day (last Mon. in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (1st Mon. in Sept.)
• Indigenous Peoples' Day (2nd Mon. in Oct.)
• Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (4th Thurs. of Nov.)
• Christmas Day (Dec. 25)

Police officers, parking enforcement officers, and parking enforcement contractors regularly patrol to enforce regulations concerning the operation of vehicles as well as stopping, standing and parking on public streets. Learn more about how to pay or contest a parking citation.