https://parkchattanooga-tn.com/

This ordinance limits parking rates and fines to help protect customers from unfair or overly expensive charges on privately owned parking lots and garages that choose to join the program. The ordinance also supports local businesses by helping keep parking spaces available and traffic moving instead of cars staying parked in one place for too long. Money collected from fines will help support Chattanooga’s electric shuttle system which provides free and convenient transportation for residents and visitors. The ordinance also creates clearer rules, better signage, and more consistent parking practices, making parking easier and more predictable for everyone.

This ordinance puts drivers first by establishing clear, enforceable protections for privately owned parking lots and garages that choose to participate in the program. Parkers benefit from capped rates and fines in participating lots/garages, no more being forced to pay for 8 to 10 hours when you only needed an hour for dinner, and all enforcement operators must be licensed, bonded at $250,000, and held to uniform standards. Required signage at all participating lot and garage entrances and exits means no more surprise charges, and a 24/7 staffed customer support line ensures help is always available. 

Functionally, the ordinance creates a legal framework that establishes consumer protections for any entity involved in parking enforcement, while authorizing the Chattanooga Parking Authority (CPA) to enforce parking violations both on-street and in CPA lots and garages. The CPA is also assigned as the licensing administrator for private operators seeking access to the enforcement mechanism, and the CARTA Board of Directors is granted authority to establish licensing requirements for those private operators.

The ordinance focuses on repeat, chronic non-payment violators rather than first-time offenders. An amnesty period and voluntary payment remain the first step in the process. To be eligible for a boot, the individual must have three (3) or more tickets AND that have not been paid within 60 days.

The ordinance sets simple rules for parking prices and fines in Chattanooga.

• Hourly Parking Rate: Maximum of $3.00 per hour

• Daily Parking Maximum: Maximum of $18.00 per day

• Parking Ticket Fine: Maximum of $25.00 per ticket

• Maximum Total Charge: Cannot exceed the daily parking limit ($18.00) plus a $25.00 fine

• Late Fee: Limited to $20.00 after 30 days of non-payment

• Maximum total with late fees can be up to $63.00

Before enforcement begins, there will be a 120-day amnesty period between June 1, 2026 and September 30, 2026 giving violators the opportunity to resolve unpaid parking fines in a few different ways.

1.      Discounts

2.      Hardship program

3.      Food For Fines program

www.chattanoogaparking.com/amnesty-program