Parking Meters

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​Salem has two types of parking meters. You will find meters that accept coins and credit cards in paid parking areas, including on-street and parking garage spots. Parking time limits are posted on signs throughout the paid parking areas.

Meter payments

Parking meter rates are:

  • $1.50 per hour; maximum 10 hours for $15
  • If using a debit or credit card, the minimum purchase is one hour ($1.50)

Coins are accepted to accommodate shorter-term parking needs and allow more flexible time options, such as paying in advance of the 8:00 a.m. enforcement time.

None of the meters make change or give refunds.

If the meter is broken or malfunctioning, please move to another space and call 503-588-6133 to report the issue.

Meter enforcement

  • Meters are enforced between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Capitol Mall area except Sundays and legal holidays.

  • Meters are enforced between 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Downtown Parking District except Sundays and legal holidays.

  • Motorcycles are not exempt.

  • Government-issued plates are not exempt.

​Electronic pay stations

Electronic pay station and instruction diagram: Pay, print, display

Pay with your choice of VISA or MasterCard or coins, then print the receipt, and display the receipt face-up in your car.

Electronic pay stations accept coins, Visa/Master Card credit cards, debit cards, and pre-paid Visa/Master Card credit cards.

To operate:

  1. Insert coins (quarters, dimes, and/or nickels), or card (VISA/MC)
  2. Press the yellow button to add time
  3. Press the green button to complete
  4. Display receipt face-up on dash or at the bottom of the curbside window, facing out

If the pay station is out of order, please find the nearest pay station for use and contact Parking Services to report the issue.

No change or refunds are given.

Pay by plate:

  1. Enter license plate number then press green button
  2. Insert coins (quarters, dimes, and/or nickels), or card (VISA/MC)
  3. Press the yellow button to add time
  4. Press the green button to complete
  5. Keep the receipt for your records

If the pay station is out of order, please contact Parking Services to report the issue.

No change or refunds are given.

​Electronic space meters

Electronic space meter and instruction diagram

Select space, pay, and confirm transaction on single head smart meter. Press your space button to view time remaining.

Electronic space meters accept coins, Visa/Master Card credit cards, debit cards, and pre-paid Visa/Master Card credit cards.

To operate:

  1. Select corresponding space
  2. Insert coins (quarters, dimes, and/or nickels), or card (VISA/MC) and select time
  3. Confirm transaction

You can press your space button to view time remaining.

If the meter is out of order, please move to another space and contact Parking Services to report the issue.

No change or refunds are given.

​Coin-operated meters

Coin-operated parking meter

Traditional single space meters accept coins only.

Coin-operated meters accept coins only.

To operate:

  1. Insert coins (quarters, dimes, and/or nickels) until you reach the desired time

If the meter is out of order, please move to another space and contact Parking Services to report the issue.

No change or refunds are given.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The only Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) placard exempt from paying is the “Wheel Chair User.”

Additional information​

Authority to enforce parking meters and parking limits is granted by these ordinances in the Salem Revised Code (SRC).

Contact us

Parking Services
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Mailing address:
350 Commercial ST NE
Salem OR 97301
Phone: