| Metered Parking
The District has over 17,000 metered curbside parking spaces designed for short-term use—generally ranging in time from 30 minutes up to three hours. Select the links below to learn more about metered parking.
Did You Know?
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Parking meters increase access to parking by encouraging "turnover" of the spaces.
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The meters display decals indicating meter rates, time limits, and effective hours.
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In most areas of the District, parking meter effective hours are from 7 am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday only. However, in densely populated Georgetown, as well as on several blocks around the Verizon and Convention Centers, parking meter hours may extend until 10 pm, Monday through Saturday.
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Meter and residential parking is prohibited on some streets during morning and evening rush hours, typically from 7 am-9:30 am and from 4 pm to 6:30 pm.
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Vehicles displaying DC-issued handicap license plates or placards may park for double the amount of time indicated on the meter. All other vehicles, including those with out-of-state handicap plates or placards, must observe posted fees and time limits.
Broken Meter
Meters are high-volume, heavy-use machines that can malfunction as a result of either mechanical failure or deliberate tampering. Most broken meters are easy to spot. They will display an LED message stating FAIL, OUT OF ORDER, or DEAD BATTERY. However, an otherwise operable meter may be jammed with coins or slugs, preventing deposit of further coins by others wishing to park. Motorists have also reported depositing coins in a meter, but receiving no time or less time than expected.
Report a broken meter online at the District Department of Transportation.
Parking at a Broken Meter- Call it in First!
Vehicles are allowed to park at a metered space in DC, even when the meter is not working. There are just a few rules that must be followed in order to avoid paying a fine. Upon parking and discovering that a meter is malfunctioning, the motorist should call the telephone number ((202) 541-6030) printed on the meter decal, and report the faulty meter. After a brief recording, the caller will be connected to the Mayor's Citywide Call Center. A customer service representative will take the meter information and issue a six-digit confirmation number. The motorist may then park in that space for the time posted on the meter. After that time has elapsed; however, the vehicle must be moved.
Getting a Ticket Anyway
It can happen. The new digital meters have the ability to do a self-diagnostic and fix certain internal problems, which can return the meter to operation. The parking officer patrolling the beat, upon seeing the meter flashing and displaying three zeros, would not know that the meter previously had malfunctioned and then reset itself. He or she would only see an expired meter, and therefore would issue a ticket to a vehicle parked in that space.
Anyone receiving a ticket while parked at a broken meter, should follow the mail adjudication instructions on the back of the ticket. Placing a note on the meter will not prevent a ticket. However, if the motorist reported the defective meter via (202) 541-6030, a trackable, official record would already have been generated. The person would have proof via a confirmation number that the meter was reported and that authorization to park had been granted. Additionally, the meter records times of malfunction that can then be checked if a ticket is contested.
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