City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 22, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
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Consideration of a Resolution to Increase the Parking Meter and Pay by Phone Rates. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of a Resolution to Increase the Parking Meter and Pay by Phone Rates.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve the resolution increasing the parking meter rate to $2.75 and any pay by phone rates that are currently less than $2.75 to $2.75 (Attachment 1).
BACKGROUND: Metered parking areas include Old Town along King Street and one to two blocks north and south, Carlyle and Eisenhower East, Potomac Yard, and Oakville Triangle. Most meters are in effect Monday-Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., although meters in Potomac Yard end at 6 p.m. With the exception of six blocks that have an all-day rate, parking at the meter is limited to 2-3 hours. See Attachment 2 for parking meter locations.
Section 5-8-93(c) of the City Code authorizes the City Council to establish meter rates by resolution. The current meter rate of $1.75 per hour has been in place since 2010, when it was increased from $1.00 per hour. The four City garages and two lots in Old Town are within metered blocks and charge $2.00 per hour, although the Courthouse Square Garage offers a reduced weekend rate of $1 per hour. Private garages in the area average $6-$15 an hour.
Within existing residential permit parking (RPP) districts, residents can request additional residential pay by phone restrictions that require individuals from outside of that district to pay to park on the block. Pay by phone blocks must be adjacent to a metered block or another block with these restrictions. Currently, there are over 30 blocks with these restrictions, wi...
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