Parking Information

Following a thorough review of the city’s parking structures, new equipment has been installed to create an easy-in, easy-out experience for all parkers. New equipment and software by TIBA Solutions provides cloud-based kiosks with user-friendly, contactless entry and convenient payment options.


Parking Systems Manager Aaron Ford and Museum Specialist Caitlin Donnelly demonstrate how to use the new parking equipment.

Entry/Exit Options
- Transient Parker (Non-Monthly Pass Holders)
Pull ticket at entry, scan ticket at exit
Debit/Credit Card – insert or tap to pay (no cash)
     

- Monthly Parking Pass Holders
Scan your parking pass, or use the TIBA Mobile Access App

Payment Options
Enjoy convenient payment options such as:
- Debit/Credit Card – insert or tap to pay (no cash)
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay

More Information
Learn more with our frequently asked questions and answers below, or contact Parking Manager Aaron Ford at aford@bhamgov.org or 248-530-1257.

Transient Parker (Non-Monthly Pass Holders) Q&A
- Am I still required to insert my credit card to enter and exit the structures?
There are now two options for entering and exiting the parking structures: 1) Insert or tap a debit/credit card, or 2) pull a ticket upon entry and scan the ticket upon exit.
- I understand that parking in all city structures is free for the first two hours. If I stay longer than two hours, what are my payment options?
You may pay via debit/credit card (insert or tap), Apple Pay or Google Pay. In the near future, the equipment will also integrate with the ParkMobile app.

Monthly Parking Pass Holder Q&A
- Will I use the same parking pass to enter and exit the structure?
No. You will receive a new parking pass. Stay tuned for information coming soon regarding your new pass.
- Is scanning my new parking pass the only way to enter and exit the structure?
No. Parking pass holders may use the TIBA Mobile Access App which enables the use of Bluetooth to enter/exit the structure without even rolling down your window. A barcode in the app can also be scanned and there is an  option to enter your cell phone number for access. 

Why TIBA?

• Enhanced user experience
  • High-speed ticket issuance for fast vehicle entry
  • TIBA Mobile Access App (enter with Bluetooth or cell number) for parking pass holders
  • High resolution 10” color touch screen
  • User-friendly, voice activated interface
  • Barcoded tickets – quickly scan tickets on exit. No inserting tickets.
  • Integrates with ParkMobile (coming soon)

• Enhanced backend management
  • TIBA’s software is robust, offering a variety of reports and a cloud-based system.
  • With no onsite servers, their software allows for remote updates with no downtime.
  • TIBA is mobile friendly, allowing operators to see equipment health, gate arms and manage operations remotely.

The City of Birmingham recently worked to evaluate parking operations, strategies and practices in the City’s Central Business District with a goal of ensuring the parking system is being operated, managed and developed as efficiently and effectively as possible. The City hired the consulting firm of Nelson/Nygaard to study the parking system and to provide new recommendations on operations and facilities that would help the system better handle its mission, as well as prepare for the future. Download their Preliminary Parking Report here, and the final Parking Master Plan here.

ENJOY THE CIVICSMART LIBERTY SMART METER!
All parking meters located in the City of Birmingham offer payment by credit card as an option. Learn more at www.bhamgov.org/smartmeters.

The City offers enhanced traffic control equipment at the City's parking structures. The system requires drivers to use a credit/debit card or Apple/Google Pay to pay for parking. 

The system does not accept cash. It does allow guests to either pull a ticket or to insert a credit/debit card on entry. Guests then can either scan the barcode on their ticket or insert their same credit/debit card on exit. Monthly permit holders simply hold up their access cards to a scanner at the entrance and exit. Monthly parkers also have the ability to use the new TIBA Mobile Access App which allows them to enter/exit the garage using either Bluetooth or a QR code. Monthly parkers can register to use the app by contacting the City's parking department to register their cell phone number by contacting the City at the information below.

In addition, each structure has signs that display the number of spots available at the structure. Those driving by the structure will easily see how many spaces are open. For more information, contact parking@bhamgov.org or call 248-540-9690.

Park in one of the five City-owned parking decks for an easy, convenient and less expensive parking option than metered street parking, and there are no time limits. The first 2 hours are free in all five of the City-owned parking decks, and parking is always free on Sundays and designated holidays (see list below).  All the City parking decks are well lit and have public telephones. The parking decks are handicap accessible with elevators. Take advantage of one of Birmingham’s 1,200 parking meters for quick visits or one-stop shopping, or check out some valet options. If you plan on staying in town for any length of time, a parking deck is always a better choice.

Parking in any city structure marked "P" is free for the first 2 hours. Click on the "P" and get the garage address (for your GPS), total parking spaces, and additional rate information.

PARKING METER RATES: The City of Birmingham has two different rate structures for on street parking at meters: $1.00/hr. and $1.50/hr., based on the location. Meters have 2-hr. limits, 4-hr. limits, and 12-hour limits.

The City of Birmingham owns and operates five parking structures providing over 3,500 parking spaces for public use in the Central Business District.  The following rates apply at all five locations:

Less than 2 hours              Free
Less than 3 hours              $2
Less than 4 hours              $4
Less than 5 hours              $6
Less than 6 hours              $8
More than 6 hours           $10

Evening Parking Permits 
The City of Birmingham offers Evening Only Monthly Permits at all five parking structures, allowing unlimited monthly parking to those who enter after 4 p.m. only, and leave prior to the next regular business day.  The Evening Only Permit is sold at a discounted rate of $20 Off the usual monthly permit rate.  For example, if you would like to park at the Pierce St. Structure, which has a monthly rate of $100 per month, the Evening Only Parking Permit will be available for just $80 per month.  If you know that you could benefit from the Evening Only Permit, we encourage you to call 248-540-9690 or sign up on our new parking system portal coming soon.

Monthly Parking Permits 
Monthly parking permits are in high demand! Regular monthly permits are now sold out at the Pierce, Peabody, and Park St. structures. However, there is plenty of availability at the Chester St. and N. Old Woodward structures.

To increase efficiencies and ensure the best possible service, the City of Birmingham is bringing parking operations in-house. Monthly permit holders may log in on a new parking system portal very soon. We are excited to introduce Zephire, a personalized and secure online monthly parking system. With online access, you can manage your account whenever and wherever you would like. Monthly parking invoices will be emailed from bham@mgzephire.com; monthly parkers should whitelist this email address to avoid delays in service.  Once you have logged on to the new system, you can review your account details in real time, change your password, send and review messages and enter your credit card information for future billing.

Monthly / Quarterly rates are as follows:
Pierce St. Parking Structure - $100
Park St. Parking Structure - $90
Peabody St. Parking Structure - $90
N. Old Woodward Ave. Parking Structure - $90
Chester St. Parking Structure - $70
Parking Lot #6 Regular - $210 (Sold Quarterly)
Parking Lot #6 Economy - $150 (Sold Quarterly)
Ann St. / Frank (Lot A) - $180 (Sold Quarterly)
Ann St. / Landon (Lot C) - $120 (Sold Quarterly)
S. Old Woodward Ave., South of 555 Building (Lot B) - $105 (Sold Quarterly)

Did you know Parkmobile is available at all Birmingham parking meters? Motorists can pay for parking with cell phones using Parkmobile’s native mobile applications for the iPhone, Android, Windows 7, and Blackberry smartphones. To use the Parkmobile system, register for free at www.parkmobile.com. Once registered, motorists can use a mobile app, the internet, QR code, or call toll free at 800-280-4146 to pay for parking. Users will select the zone and parking space numbers printed on the Parkmobile stickers on each meter. Customers can add more time to a meter from their phones, as long as the posted time limit is not exceeded.

Parking permits are available Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the police department clerical area. There is an $8.00 charge per household. Permits expire every two years and are available only for residents living on streets designated for residential permit parking. Follow this link to learn about guidelines for Residential Parking Permit Requests.

To report a defective parking meter, please contact 248.530.1873. All defective parking meters must be reported immediately.

Legal Holidays-Free Parking at Meters (No need to insert money or slide your credit card - park and enjoy!)

The following are designated as legal holidays. Parking at meters spaces on these dates will be free.

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President’s Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Indigenous Peoples' Day
• Veteran’s Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve

The City of Birmingham offers 70 designated accessible parking spaces throughout the Central Business District. The spaces are the result of the City’s 2017 accessible parking policy, adopted to comply with state and federal laws as well as being more consistent with neighboring communities. The spaces provide more reserved, designated handicap accessible parking than ever before offered in Birmingham.

The City’s parking policy applies to any public street that has individually marked parking spaces and all municipal lots. The City provides reserved, marked accessible spaces at the ratio of at least one parking space per 25 that exist on any city block. The spaces are metered and subject to time limitations and fees. Consistent with neighboring communities, parking for free at any meter or at yellow curbed zones is not permitted.

Visit www.bhamgov.org/paymybill for information about paying your parking ticket online, in person or by mail.