Chattanooga, TN, September 16, 2025
News Summary
The Chattanooga Parking Authority will introduce a pilot program offering free parking credits to residents and a Weekend Parking Pass. Residents can register for credits valued up to $24 for a three-month period, applicable to on-street parking and CPA-managed lots. The Weekend Parking Pass, costing $25, provides unlimited access to paid parking options from Friday evening to Monday morning. These programs aim to enhance parking accessibility and clarify the differences between public and private parking in downtown Chattanooga.
Chattanooga, TN – The Chattanooga Parking Authority (CPA) is set to launch a new pilot program that introduces free parking credits for city residents while also debuting a Weekend Parking Pass aimed at increasing accessibility to downtown areas. This initiative seeks to address the common challenges residents and visitors face when navigating parking in the downtown zone, where both public and private parking spaces coexist.
Starting next month, residents can register for the free parking credits program. This program will allow drivers to select credit packages valued up to $24 for a three-month period. The credits can be applied to on-street parking sessions and CPA-managed lots, while any unused credits will expire at the end of each month.
Moreover, the Weekend Parking Pass, available for $25, provides unlimited access to all paid street parking, CPA-managed lots, and shuttle park garages from Friday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 6 a.m. These programs are part of a broader attempt to enhance parking accessibility in downtown Chattanooga.
Parking in downtown Chattanooga has been a point of confusion for many, as numerous facilities are labeled “public parking,” despite being privately owned and managed. Companies like BrightBase and PMC often manage many of the parking spaces, typically charging higher rates compared to the city’s publicly operated spaces.
The CPA oversees approximately 1,350 parking spaces across three garages and about 900 spaces in four surface lots in the downtown area. Street parking, which costs $1.50 per hour, is free after 6 p.m. and on Sundays. The CARTA North Garage and South Garage also provide the first hour of parking for free, while publicly managed lots have a structured payment plan: $2 for the first hour, $4 for two hours, $8 for three hours, and $10 for anything longer than that. In contrast, parking in privately managed lots can exceed $10 per hour, which has heightened the need for clearer distinctions between public and private parking options.
To aid in this, the CPA recently developed a new logo that differentiates publicly managed parking locations from private facilities. The logo was launched in July, as part of the pilot program, and is visible at specific sites, including the Renaissance lot on Manufacturers Road, the Theatre lot at Coolidge Park, the CARTA North Garage on Broad Street, and the Riverfront lot by the Tennessee Aquarium. Additionally, this branding helps to clarify the status of CARTA’s Incline Railway lot in St. Elmo.
The effectiveness of this new branding will be evaluated after a three-month pilot period, along with the reception of the new credit programs. To improve user experience further, the CPA provides a comprehensive online parking map at chattanoogaparking.org to assist residents and visitors in locating free and validated parking.
Furthermore, the CPA integrates the ParkMobile app, allowing users to search for and reserve parking that is not collected through traditional meters or garage machines. The combination of these improvements aims to simplify parking for the thousands of tourists who visit downtown Chattanooga each year and to enhance the overall understanding of parking management among locals.
Key Details of the Parking Initiatives
- Free parking credits for residents up to $24, reverting monthly
- Weekend Parking Pass at $25 for unlimited weekend access
- Free first hour of parking at CARTA garages
- Clear differentiation between public and private parking
- Comprehensive online parking map available through CPA
- Utilization of ParkMobile app for payment options
Background Context
The Chattanooga Parking Authority, operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), plays a crucial role in managing downtown parking facilities. Its efforts to enhance the parking experience reflect a commitment to both residents and visitors, encouraging more people to utilize downtown amenities.
As local businesses and attractions continue to draw in visitors, effective parking management will be vital in ensuring that Chattanooga remains a vibrant and accessible destination.
FAQ Section
What is the new free parking credits program?
The free parking credits program allows Chattanooga residents to obtain credits valued up to $24 over a three-month period for on-street parking and CPA-managed lots, with unused credits expiring at the end of each month.
How does the Weekend Parking Pass work?
The Weekend Parking Pass costs $25 and offers unlimited access to paid street parking, CPA-managed lots, and Shuttle Park garages from Friday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 6 a.m.
How can I register for the free parking credits program?
Registration for the free parking credits program will open on a specified date. Drivers need to register on time as late entries will not be accepted.
What are the parking rates in downtown Chattanooga?
Publicly managed lots charge $2 for one hour, $4 for two hours, $8 for three hours, and $10 for more than three hours. Metered street parking costs $1.50 per hour and is free after 6 p.m. and on Sundays. Private lot rates can exceed $10 per hour.
Chart of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Parking Credits | Up to $24 over three months for residents; unused credits expire monthly |
| Weekend Parking Pass | $25 for unlimited access from Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 6 a.m. |
| Parking Rates | $2 for the first hour, $4 for two hours, $8 for three hours, $10 for more; private rates can exceed $10/hour |
| Parking Management Areas | Approximately 1,350 spaces in three garages; 900 spaces in four lots; metered street parking |
| New Branding | New logo to distinguish public from private parking; trial for three months |
| Technology | ParkMobile app for payments and parking reservations |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga City Council Advocates for New Senior Center
Chattanooga Prepares for the IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival
Chattanooga Real Estate Professionals Face Disciplinary Actions
Tennessee Department Enforces Real Estate Standards in Chattanooga
Grand Opening of Embassy Suites by Hilton in Chattanooga
Tragic Shooting at Evergreen High School
Nissan Stadium Construction Progresses for Tennessee Titans
Chattanooga Reports Disturbing Child Abuse Allegations
First Friday Art Crawl Returns to Chattanooga
Chattanooga Man Arrested After Chaotic High-Speed Chase
Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: How to Tell Public from Private Parking in Chattanooga
- News Channel 9: Chattanooga Launches Pilot Program Offering Free Parking Credits to Residents
- Local 3 News: Free or Discounted Parking in Downtown Chattanooga
- Times Free Press: How to Get Free Parking with City Sticker in Chattanooga
- News Channel 9: Chattanooga Unveils $25 Weekend Parking Pass for Downtown Visitors
- Wikipedia: Parking
- Google Search: Chattanooga parking
- Google Scholar: Parking Management
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Parking
- Google News: Chattanooga Parking News
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
