Memphis, TN Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Designation
- By city council resolution, city engineer administers
- Petition threshold
- 75% of property owners must approve
- Annual permit fee
- $50.00 (min. $15.00 prorated)
- Permit limit
- Two annual permits per dwelling unit
- Visitor permits
- $25.00 each, max four per dwelling
- Named eligible street
- E. side of N. Main St., Saffarans to Looney Ave.
- Revocation penalty
- One-year bar after violation hearing
Summary
Memphis lets the city council designate permit parking districts by resolution, exempting residents' vehicles displaying a valid permit from otherwise-applicable street parking restrictions. Designation requires a petition approved by 75 percent of property owners, and an annual permit costs $50.00, prorated to no less than $15.00.
Permit parking district means a residential area with streets and boundaries designated by a city council resolution wherein vehicles displaying a valid permit shall be exempt from parking restrictions established pursuant to this section. ... The city engineer shall prepare rules and procedures for the designation of permit parking districts setting forth the petition process (requiring approval by 75 percent of property owners), the hearing and notification processes, reporting requirements, criteria for designation of a permit parking district and for the implementation and administration of this section. ... The fee for an annual parking permit shall be $50.00. The fee for an annual parking permit shall be prorated by the month for the unexpired period of the district, but in no case less than $15.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32 | Charter: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
Section 11-40-29 of the Memphis Code of Ordinances creates the city's parking permit program for neighborhoods. " Once designated, the city engineer posts signs and issues permits: no more than two annual permits per dwelling unit, applicants must clear unpaid parking citations first, and permits go only to district residents. 00 per visitor permit (capped at four per dwelling). Certain vehicles are exempt outright, utility and government vehicles on official business, and vehicles parked adjacent to a commercial-use property. Falsifying a permit application, using a counterfeit permit, or violating district restrictions can bring revocation and a one-year bar on reissuance.
The code names one eligible street directly: the east side of N. Main Street between Saffarans Avenue and Looney Avenue, added by Ord. No. 5933 in 2025; additional neighborhoods require a council resolution and a demonstrated parking-demand need found by the city engineer.
Violations & Fines
Parking without an exempting permit within a designated district in violation of the posted restrictions is unlawful under subsection K. Falsely claiming permit eligibility, submitting false application information, transferring or assigning a permit, or displaying a counterfeit permit are separately prohibited. A person found by the city engineer, after a hearing, to have violated the program has any permits revoked and is barred from receiving a new one for one year, with 15 days to surrender the revoked permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Memphis neighborhood get a permit parking district?
How much does a residential parking permit cost in Memphis?
How many permits can one household get?
What happens if I violate the permit parking rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Memphis
Compare Memphis to another location·View the Tennessee parking rules overview
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