New Downtown Parking Plan Begins March 1st

(February 25, 2026 3:25 PM ET) The City of Jackson announced it will implement updated downtown parking regulations beginning March 1, saying the regulations will preserve free parking access, simplify permit rates and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the parking system.

City leaders received feedback from residents and business owners and made several adjustments to maintain accessibility while ensuring the parking system remains financially self-supporting.

Two-hour free on-street parking will remain in place throughout the downtown district, continuing a practice that City Engineer Troy White says has been part of Jackson for more than 20 years. “The goal here is to preserve that accessibility while making sure the spaces people rely on remain available”, said Whie.  In addition, two lots will offer free all-day parking: Lot 3 adjacent to the YMCA and Lot 9A at the corner of East Cortland Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Several rates were reduced and simplified by the City Council in December. Daily parking in permit lots and city garages will be $7 per day. Standard permit lots will now have a uniform rate of $55 per month or $600 per year, replacing the previous tiered system. Garage permits will be $30 per month, with annual garage permits set at $330 per year.

Enforcement hours will remain at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will be no weekend enforcement.

Downtown parking operations are intended to be self-supported and are not funded through general tax dollars. Over time, the previous structure no longer fully supported the system’s operational and maintenance needs. The updated plan aligns rates and Downtown Parking District boundaries to strengthen long-term sustainability.

The updated plan also includes clearer signage and marked downtown boundary lines to help drivers identify when they have entered the parking district. Daily, monthly, and yearly permit purchases will be available online as well as paying and appealing citations at JacksonMI.rmcpay.com.

“Our focus is community-first decision making,” said the City Manager, Jonathan Greene. “We want a downtown that is welcoming, accessible and financially sustainable for years to come.”

A map outlining Downtown Parking District boundaries, permit lots and free parking locations is available above and on the city’s website. Residents with questions may contact parking@cityofjackson.org.