There are a variety of options for parking in downtown Lakeland. Your best option depends on the length of time needed and parking frequency during the month. If you are willing to walk a few blocks, free parking options also exist!
Parking is monitored on the streets between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. Parking in the evenings and on the weekends is free. Parking in public lots is also free in the evenings and on the weekends.
There are no parking meters in the downtown area. Payment for parking is done through ParkMobile. Setup an account with ParkMobile by going to www.ParkMobile.com – you will need to know your license number. Once you have an account, you can use it to pay for parking by either calling ParkMobile at 877-727-5714 or using an app on your phone (free download from either Google Play Store or iTunes App Store). Parking is $1/hour and there is a $0.35 transaction fee. ParkMobile payment methods are PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
Parking Options: For 2 Hours or Less
Street parking is free for the first 2 hours per day in the downtown area. Note that changing parking spaces does not restart the free parking clock! License plates are monitored and vehicles that are parked longer than 2 hours on the street without payment will be ticketed.
Parking Options: For 4 Hours or Less
If you expect your meeting to last no more than 4 hours, park on the street and set a timer on your phone to remind you to pay for parking once your first 2 free hours have passed. Use the ParkMobile app (or call) to pay for up to 2 additional hours of parking. The Zone Number for street parking is 2705. Parking on the street is limited to a total of 4 consecutive hours per day. If you leave the downtown area and return later in the day (at least 30 minutes later), you will be able to purchase an additional 2 hours of street parking.
Parking Options: For 4 to 8 Hours
There are two parking lots located near My Office & More that support all day parking.
Surface Lot north of Munn Park before the Railroad Tracks (ParkMobile Zone 2702)
Enter this lot from Kentucky Avenue, park your vehicle and note the number of your parking space in one of the 25 spots. You may use either ParkMobile or the machine at the entrance to the lot to pay immediately after you park your car. The machine accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. Parking is charged between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. There is no free parking time available in this lot.
Main Street Parking Garage (ParkMobile Zone 2701)
For hourly parking, enter the garage from Cedar Street and note the number of your parking space (be careful to avoid the permit parking spaces to the right of the entrance). There are 47 hourly parking spaces. The garage entrance on Main Street is for permit parking only.
You may use either ParkMobile or the machines in the garage to pay immediately after you park your car. At the current time, the machines accept only quarters. There is a working change machine in the garage on the first floor near the Main Street entrance that takes one and five dollar bills. Parking is charged between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
Permit Parking
For those who will be working downtown on a regular basis, permit parking might offer a convenient solution. Permits are usually more cost effective for those who need parking 4 or more hours a day more than ten days a month. Permits start at $35/month plus sales tax. Obtain a Parking Application from the City of Lakeland. Once the application is completed, submit it to the Parking Office located in the Main Street Garage on the first floor (near the Main Street entrance).
Free Parking
Yes, there is free parking available in the downtown area! Trade a little bit of walking for more change in your pocket.
Street Parking west of New York and Main Street
The advantage of parking in this area is the walk to My Office & More is on fairly level streets.
Lot Parking near Hollis Gardens
The advantage of parking in this area is the walk to My Office & More has more shade trees and prettier views but some of the walk is uphill.
Rose Street Lot
If you have a group coming for an all-day seminar at My Office & More, a little bit of coordination and carpooling can save lots of money. Parking at the Rose Street Lot is free so participants can leave their car in this lot and then carpool with others who park in either the lot north of Munn Park or the Parking Garage.
Another option from this lot is to use the Bike Share Program. Buy an annual pass for only $25 and then you can use a bike from the Rose Street Bike Station to ride over to the Munn Park Bike Station and vice versa. It takes less than 5 minutes to go between these stations! Learn more here.
Special Street Parking Zones – Be on the Lookout!
If you choose to park on the street, be alert for the following types of parking zones that are identified by signage right next to the parking spot:
15 Minute Parking – This parking is usually positioned near coffee shops so you can quickly get a cup of coffee and go! If you need more than 15 minutes, don’t park here or you have a high likelihood of getting a ticket!
Handicap Parking – If a vehicle has a disabled parking permit in the window or on the license plate, it can be parked in a “Disabled” space for any length of time, for no charge. If the vehicle with disabled parking permit is parked in a timed “general” space, it can park for free, for up to double the posted time.
Commercial Vehicles Only – Unlike most other types of parking restrictions, these parking spots are limited 24/7. Businesses (particularly restaurants) depend on commercial deliveries every day so these designated spots make it easier for drivers to get close to their delivery point. The Lakeland Police Department will ticket vehicles over the weekend so beware!
Veteran Parking – If your car has a Purple Heart/Combat Wounded Veteran license plate (available to combat-wounded veterans), you can park for free in any city space.
Special Event Parking – When special events like First Friday and Food Truck Rally take place each month, signage is put out on certain streets requiring parked cars to be moved by 3 p.m. Cars that are not moved in time could be towed.