On Street Parking

Time Limits at Meters

The City of Lincoln Parking Services Division operates approximately 2,400 parking meters in the downtown area. The purpose of time limits on parking meters is to ensure that parking spaces regularly become available for customers of area businesses and visitors to the area.

Please note that vehicles must not remain longer than the time restriction shown on the meter. Parking meters are color coded to coordinate maximum durations that were established depending on the desired parking turnover in the area. All meters have different time restrictions and rates, which are posted on the meter (view photos below).

  • White = 10 Minutes
  • Red = 30 Minutes
  • Yellow = 60 Minutes
  • Orange = 90 Minutes
  • Green = 2 Hours
  • Brown = 5 Hours
  • Blue = 10 Hours


Cost of Meters

Parking meters are $.50 per hour. Fines for expired time are $10.00 for the first seven days. Effective September 1st, 2011, if a citation is not paid within seven days the cost will increase by $15.00, according to City Ordinance 10.06.120. You have the opportunity to save $1 by paying your citation on-line. It is illegal to deposit additional coins in the meter after the time limit has been reached. This is also called “plugging” the meter.

Not all meters accept the same type of coin. Each meter shows the type of coins it will accept.

Malfunctioning Meters

Reporting a malfunctioning parking meter:

  • Note the meter number (displayed on the meter) and the location of the meter.
  • Note what happened or did not happen when coins were deposited in the meter.
  • Call 402/441-PARK as soon as possible to report the meter malfunction.

Meter will be checked/repaired as soon as possible!

Meter Enforcement

Meters located on City streets are enforced from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Parking Services Division monitors and enforces these restrictions. They are not enforced on Sundays and the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

This information is also found on every meter.

Parking Meter Hooding Information:

Appealing a Parking Citation:

You can go to 850 ‘Q’ Street, the Parking Services office, if you feel like you received an unfair ticket or parked at a malfunctioning meter. Within ten days, you may also mail the ticket along with the Appeal Form describing your dispute. You must include your full name, address, and telephone number, so we may respond to you.

Policy on Dismissal

Note: We ask that you provide evidence corresponding with your citation that will support your circumstance, such as a proof of registration, a handicapped placard, etc. You may send a scanned copy of this information in a separate e-mail to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your citation number as the subject title, send it in the mail, or fax it to 402/441-6476

Request for Dismissal Form
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