Parking

How Does It Work?

No more coins! No longer will you have to hunt for the right change or run back to your car to top off time left on your parking meter. Instead, simply park your car, make one short phone call, then head for your destination. You will receive a text message reminder before your time expires. You may text or call back to extend your parking session from anywhere. Pay by Phone parking is convenient, easy, and safe.

1. Download Pay-By-Phone app or
2. Call 1.888.380.7275
3. Enter Location # (Posted on parking meter)
4. Enter Number of Minutes

How Do I Sign Up?

First time users simply need to set up a FREE account. You can do this online at Pay-by-Phone, via mobile app (search for Pay By Phone) or by calling our parking line 1.888.380.7275.

To set up an account you will need:

1. Mobile Phone Number
2. Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover)
3. The license plate of your car(s)

There is no meter enforcement on the following City Observed Holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Veteran’s Day
• Thanksgiving Day weekend (Thursday-Saturday)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

If you have experienced a meter that is not functioning properly, please call the number provided on the meter to report the problem so that Park Wilmington can repair it in a timely manner.

Downtown patrons are required to move their vehicle to another block before the expiration of specified time restrictions, indicated by signs posted in applicable blocks.

Locations

• 155 Brunswick St (across from Skyline Center)

Daily Rates

• Up to 1 hour:  $1
• Up to 2 hours: $3
• Up to 3 hours: $6
• 3 to 12 hours: $9
• 12 to 24 hours: $14 Max
• Evening Flat Rate: $10

• Thurs-Sat (9 p.m. - 2 a.m.)

• Decks charge 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
• Unreserved: $100 (monthly rate)

Special Event Rate

• $10 flat rate
• $20 during Live Nation concerts

• Contains more than 580 spaces
• Located on the corner of N. Water Street and Estell Lee Drive (entrance) next to the Wilmington Convention Center at 515 Nutt St.
• Contact Park Wilmington at 910.762.5678 for more info

Daily Rates

• Up to 1 hour: $3
• Up to 2 hours: $5
• Up to 3 hours: $7
• Up to 4 hours: $9
• 4 to 12 hours: $11
• 12 to 24 hours: $15 max
• Wilmington Convention Center parking deck charges 24/7, unless otherwise posted
• Credit card payment only when exit booth is unattended (pay station at exit does not accept cash)

Monthly Rates

• Unreserved: $100
• Reserved Rate: $130
• Card Replacement Fee: $15
• Card Reactivation Fee: $5

Purchase a monthly parking pass online

Special Event Rate

• Short Term (Up to 3 hours): $5*
• Partial Day (Up to 8 hours): $10*
• All Day (Up to 24 hours): $15*

* Rate will be posted on day of event

• 14 Grace Street (corner of Grace St. and Water St.)
• Contact Park Wilmington at 910.762.5678 for more info

Daily Rates

• Up to 1 hour: $2
• Up to 2 hours: $4
• Up to 3 hours: $6
• 3 to 8 hours: $9
• 8 to 24 hours: $14 Max
• Evening Flat Rate: $10
  • Thurs-Sat (9 p.m.-2 a.m.)

Monthly Rates

• Unreserved: $120
• Reserved: $150

Purchase a monthly parking pass online

Special Event Rate

• $10 per day

• 114 N. 2nd St. (between Chestnut and Princess streets)
• Contact Park Wilmington at 910.762.5678 for more info

Daily Rates

• First 30 minutes free
• Up to 1 Hour: $1
• Up to 2 hours: $2
• Up to 3 hours: $3
• Up to 4 hours: $4
• Up to 5 hours: $6
• Up to 12 Hours: $9
• Up to 24 Hours: $12 Max
• Evening Flat Rate: $7
  • Thurs-Sat (9 p.m.-2 a.m.)
• Lost Ticket Fee: $12
• Decks charge 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

Monthly Rates

• Unreserved: $75
• Unreserved Daytime: $50 (Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m. ONLY)
• Unreserved Evening & Weekend: $40 (Mon-Fri 5 PM-8 AM; all day Sat/Sun)
• Rooftop: $25
• Reserved space: $125
• Card Replacement Fee $15
• Card Reactivation Fee: $5

Purchase a monthly parking pass online

Special Event Rate

115 Market St. (intersection of Market and 2nd streets)

• Contact Park Wilmington at 910.762.5678 for more info

Daily Rates

• First 30 minutes free
• Up to 1 Hour: $1
• Up to 2 hours: $2
• Up to 3 hours: $3
• Up to 4 hours: $4
• Up to 5 hours: $6
• Up to 12 Hours: $9
• Up to 24 Hours: $12 Max
• Evening Flat Rate: $7
  • Thurs-Sat (9 p.m.-2 a.m.)
• Lost Ticket Fee: $12
• Decks charge 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

Monthly Rates

• Unreserved: $75
• Unreserved Daytime: $50 (Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m. ONLY)
• Unreserved Evening & Weekend: $40 (Mon-Fri 5 p.m.- 8 a.m.; all day Sat/Sun)
• Rooftop: $25
• Reserved space: $125
• Card Replacement Fee $15
• Card Reactivation Fee: $5

Purchase a monthly parking pass online

Special Event Rate

Locations

• 20 S. 2nd Street (Between Market St. & Dock St. on 2nd St.)
• 118 S. 2nd Street (Next to Hannah Block Historic USO Building)

Daily Rates

• Up to 1 hour: $2
• Up to 2 hours: $3
• Up to 3 hours: $4
• Up to 4 hours: $5
• Up to 5 hours: $6
• Up to 24 hours: $12 Max
• Flat Rate:
  • Mon-Thurs after 6:30 p.m.: $8
  • Friday after 6:30 p.m.: $12
  • All Day Sat/Sun: $12
• Parking enforced 24/7 unless otherwise noted.

Monthly Rates

• $75 Unreserved
• $125 Reserved

Purchase a monthly parking pass online

Accessible Parking

Patrons with valid accessible parking license plates or hanging tags may park for free at any on-street metered space for an unlimited time.

Patrons with a valid accessible parking license plate or hanging tag may also park in the off-street parking garages and surface lots for an unlimited time when paying the posted hourly rates.

No Parking

There are locations on all streets where parking is prohibited and is enforceable without a sign. Exceptions to the law are when an operator of an emergency vehicle parks during an emergency or a law enforcement officer or other public employee is required to park in the prohibited locations in the performance of his or her duties.

Large vehicle parking is available at the following locations:

• 700 block of N. 2nd Street between Hanover and Brunswick streets
• 1100 block of N. 4th Street between Swann and Nixon streets
• 00 block of N. 2nd Street between Market and Princess streets

The free Wave Trolley will shuttle you to other destination points downtown. Please visit the Wave Transit site for route and schedule details.

Important: Vehicles that are being used for loading and unloading of goods can park free of charge in a designated Commercial Loading Zone, indicated by signage.

Selected public streets in the Historic Downtown are designated as time-limited for non-permit holders. Properties on those streets and corners adjacent to qualifying streets are eligible to participate in the Residential Parking Permit Program.

Cost

• $40: First three Resident Permits; $50 each additional permit
• $40: First Long-Term Visitor Permit (expires Jan. 31 annually); $100 for second permit
• $5: 48-hour visitor's pass (may purchase up to 10)

Requirements

1. Proof of residency (lease agreement, deed, or utility bill)
2. Resident's vehicle registration and driver's license
3. Payment of outstanding tickets prior to issuance of permit.

Violations

Individuals who park in designated residential permit areas in excess of maximum time limit indicated by signage will be written a $40 ticket.

Fraudulent Use

It is unlawful for any person to display an unauthorized parking permit. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection is subject to civil and criminal action and prosecution to the fullest extent as it relates to fraud or forgery per North Carolina General Statute and Wilmington City Code.

Application Forms

The following blocks are currently located in the Residential Parking District:

• 100 & 200 blocks of Ann Street
• 200 block of Orange Street
• 200 & 300 blocks of South 2nd Street
• 200 block of South 3rd Street
• 100 block of South 4th Street
• 100 & 200 blocks of Nun Street
• 121 S. 2nd Street
• Wimble Square Townhouses: 221, 223, 225, 227 & 229 S. Front St.

Historic District Parking: The following blocks are located in the Historic District:

• 300 & 400 blocks South Front Street
• 400 block South 2nd Street

Residential Parking Information

Parking information for residents of the downtown area.

Throughout the year, a number of private and public events are held downtown. The City manages four parking decks and two open-air lots. Additionally, there is also on-street metered parking, with a 2-hour time limit. The time limit is essential to ensure turnover of valuable on-street parking spaces for downtown visitors and businesses. Many other cities utilize time limits for this same reason. The first place one looks for parking in a new town is on the street, but downtown offers many more parking options. For more information please view the following webpages:

• Wilmington Convention Center
• Cape Fear Community College

Traveling in a large vehicle?
The City has designated parking for large vehicles, such as tour buses, off N. 2nd Street and N. 4th Street.

The City manages five of the nine parking decks and lots included in the Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park parking and walking map, as well as on-street parking throughout downtown.

The City of Wilmington locations are as follows:

• P3: Skyline Deck; 155 Brunswick St.
• P6: Convention Center Deck; 515 Nutt St.
• P8: River Place Parking Deck; 14 Grace St.
• P10: 2nd St. Parking Deck; 114 N. 2nd St.
• P11: Market St. Parking Deck; 115 Market St.
• ADA On-street Spaces in the areas of 902 Nutt St. and 102 Harnett St.  Signage will be present.

View the Free Port City Trolley Map to Riverfront Park from Wave Transit.

The City of Wilmington has marked accessible parking at all of its managed downtown public parking lots and parking decks. The City's closest off-street parking option to the park would be the Convention Center Parking Deck. Patrons with a valid accessible parking license plate or permit / hang tag may also park for free at any on-street metered or un-metered space for an unlimited time. There is also an ADA patron drop off, located at the corner of Harnett and Nutt St which is directly adjacent to the pavilion’s entry. New for 2024 season, there are 22 Special Event ADA Parking Spaces along Harnett and Nutt streets.

The additional parking options detailed on the map are managed by Cape Fear Community College (P2, P3, P4) and New Hanover County (P6). Parking fees at these locations should be posted upon entry.

There are many privately managed parking options throughout downtown. The city does not manage these lots.

For additional information, please call 910.342.2786.

Please email Park Wilmington with any questions.

Pay or appeal your citation online 

To pay in person visit the Park Wilmington office located at 11 N. Second Street — accepts cash, credit cards and personal checks.

Credit card payment can be made via phone. Call the Park Wilmington office at 910.762.5678.

Mail payments with check or money orders to:

PO Box 1655
Wilmington, NC 28401

A $15 late fee will be incurred for all payments made later than 20 days past issue date.

Ticket Appeals

An appeal must be received within 20 days of ticket issuance date.

Appeals will be reviewed and a response will be mailed back within 5 – 7 days.

The following are not valid reasons for an appeal:

• Lack of knowledge of the city’s parking regulations
• Appointment conflicts or tardiness going or returning from appointments
• Inability to find a legal parking space
• Failure to have appropriate or sufficient amount of coins

Immobilized Vehicles

Vehicles illegally parked within downtown that have three or more outstanding parking citations 90 days past due are subject to having an immobilization device (commonly referred to as a 'boot') attached to their vehicle.

Removing the Immobilization Device

Come to the Park Wilmington Office at 11 N. Second Street between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to settle outstanding parking citations and pay the $50 booting fee. Vehicles not claimed within 24-hours of the boot are subject to towing.

The City is not responsible for any damage to a booted illegally parked vehicle resulting from unauthorized attempts to free or move that vehicle.

Retrieving Your Vehicle

Immobilized vehicles that have been towed may be reclaimed from the vehicle impoundment lot once all requirements have been met.

In order to have your vehicle released, please go to Kirby's Towing, 1513 Castle Street.

Towed Vehicles

View the towing ordinance(PDF, 17KB). The City will enforce towing when:

• Vehicles park illegally to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic.
• Vehicles that have been booted and have not been released within 24-hours after boot.

Notice: Due to Federal Regulations, vehicles that park next to the Federal Courthouse downtown will be towed. Signs are posted.

Private lots

There are a number of private lots throughout Wilmington who enforce parking through towing. Non-consensual towing of a vehicle is a matter between the lot owner, the vehicle owner, and the tow operator. The city does not manage these lots.

All private lots must clearly post signs warning of towing risks. The city regulates towing fees that can be charged for cars towed without owner permission.

Fees

• $100 - Parking Violations
• $25/day - Daily Storage
• $35 - Vehicle/personal property retrieval outside of business hours
• $35 - Dolly charge (if used)

Park Smart! Park with the City!

The best way to avoid being towed is by parking where you are allowed.

There are a number of privately-owned and operated surface lots in the downtown area that are not managed by the City of Wilmington.

Tips

• Pay careful attention to the signs indicating rates, hours of enforcement and contact information.
• Determine if it is a permit only or public pay lot.
• Towing can occur on private property without notice provided the area is clearly marked.

Got A Ticket?

Most private lots downtown are managed and enforced by either Park Select, NC Parking Co. or Midway Parking.

You will need to contact them to resolve your citation.

Towed From A Private Lot?

Each lot will post signage to indicate who to contact in the event that your vehicle has been towed.

Looking For Simpler Parking Solutions?

• Park smart! Park with us.
• Deck parking is free the first 90 minutes you park.
• You can park free of charge at on-street meters after 6:30 p.m. daily and all day Sunday.

Documents

• Temporary meter removal policy(PDF, 43KB)
• Large Meter bagging application and policy(PDF, 105KB)(PDF, 85KB)
• Trolley Map

The Downtown Parking Advisory Committee (DPAC) is a citizen advisory board that serves as a liaison between City Council and the citizens of Wilmington. Download a copy of the Committee's bylaws.

Any person who has information they would like to contribute during a Downtown Parking Advisory Committee meeting is invited to participate.

• Meets the third Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m.
• Location: Virtual until further notice.
• Contact the Parking Manager at 910.342.2786 to be included on the agenda.