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Under the parking meter contract with Serco Management Services, Inc. approved in Spring 2002, DPT was able to replace the City's 23,000 mechanical meters with new electronic meters that are more accurate, accept coins other than quarters and eventually "smart cards," utilize electronic vault locks to deter theft, and are included in a comprehensive data management system to analyze parking usage.
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Meter replacement began in August 2002 and was completed on March 13, 2003. A special installation vehicle designed by Serco facilitated the replacement process. At the peak, approximately 200 meters were replaced per day (1000 per week) over a 26-week period. The first new meters to be installed were Reino Multi-Space Meters, pictured below, predominantly for motorcycle parking spaces. Approximately 1400 single-space meters were replaced with 225 multi-space meters, reducing sidewalk clutter. Our single space meters, pictured at left, are manufactured by MacKay. |
HOW TO USE A MULTI-SPACE METER:
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Remember the number on the sidewalk next to your vehicle
and walk in the direction of the arrow to the multi-space
parking meter. At the meter you will need to:
1) Press your parking space number
2) Pay for the time you need to park
3) Return to your vehicle before your time expires |
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Bicyclist Information
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Mini lock on new
meter sleeve |
Mini lock |
Regular lock on new meter sleeve |
For a reference on how to safely lock your bicycle, download this section (.pdf file) of our Safe Cycling in San Francisco Guide. The entire guide is available on the Bicycle Program section of this website along with more info on the program and its bicycle parking efforts. Bicycle Program staff are always interested in improving bicycle facilities within the City and County of San Francisco.
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These photos show a bicycle locked with a mini lock around a new meter (Cortland Avenue). |
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Meter Hours & Rates
Please check the parking meters for hours. In general, meters are in operation from 7 am or 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday. Meters in off-street parking lots can extend as late as 9 pm. On Port Property meters are in operation from 7 am to 7 pm. In Fisherman's Wharf and in Port jurisdiction, meters are in effect everyday, including Sundays and holidays. See the Holiday Enforcement Schedule (pdf).
The new electronic meters are in sleep mode from one hour after the end of operating hours until one hour before operating hours begin again. When money is inserted towards the end of the day, the meter will only display time bought up to the end of hours of operation. A "pre-pay" mode is available one hour before metered time begins, allowing one to park and insert money in the meter if hours of operation have not yet begun but the individual expects to be parked there after the meter does go into service. PLEASE NOTE: "pre-pay" mode does not apply to meters on Port property.
"Feeding the meter" repeatedly is illegal. Parking time limits are designed to promote parking turnover. Parking time limits also apply if a meter is broken.
Please note that motorcycle meter rates passed by the Board of Supervisors in 1999 but not implemented at the time are now in effect as the new meters go into use. Additionally, in May of 2003, the Board of Supervisors approved a $.50/hour increase to all (non-motorcycle) meter rates throughout the City. It has been over ten years since these rates were increased.
| Area |
Hourly Rate |
Motorcycle Hourly Rate |
| (1) Downtown |
$3.00 |
$.25 |
| (2) Downtown Periphery |
$2.50 |
$.15 |
| (3) All other areas |
$1.50 |
$.10 |
| (4) Fisherman's Wharf |
$2.50 |
$.15 |
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