Skip to main content
City of Madison
  • Accounts
    • All Accounts
    • My Account
    • ePayments
    • Water Customer Care
    • Employment
    • Licenses & Permits
  • Services
  • Jobs
  • Agencies
    • All Agencies
    • Assessor's Office
    • Attorney's Office
    • Building Inspection
    • Civil Rights
    • Clerk's Office
    • Common Council
    • Community Development
    • Development Services Center
    • Economic Development
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Engineering
    • Finance
    • Fire
    • Fleet Service
    • Golf
    • Goodman Pool
    • Housing Authority
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Madison City Channel
    • Madison Public Library
    • Madison Senior Center
    • Mayor's Office
    • Metro Transit
    • Monona Terrace
    • Municipal Court
    • Office of Business Resources
    • Office of Real Estate Services
    • Olbrich Botanical Gardens
    • Parking Utility
    • Parks
    • Planning
    • Planning, Community & Economic Development
    • Police
    • Public Health Madison & Dane County
    • Public Works
    • Streets & Recycling
    • Traffic Engineering
    • Transportation
    • Treasurer's Office
    • Warner Park Community Recreation Center
    • Water Utility
  • Data
  • Contact
    • Mayor
    • City Council
    • City Staff & Agencies

Search form

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • City Services
  • Public Health
  • Get Alerts
  • Español
  • Hmoob
Parking Utility logo, copyright City of Madison

Parking Utility

  • Sabrina Tolley, Assistant Parking Utility Manager
  • Home
  • Special Event Parking
  • Garages & Lots
  • Permits
  • Street Parking
  • Accessibility
  • Español
  • About
  • Contact
  1. City of Madison
  2. Parking Utility
  3. Permits
  4. Street Occupancy
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

View information about changes to on-street parking restrictions, permit applications, and other services.

Street Occupancy

Meter Signs and Cloth Bags

Meter Signs can be used to secure on-street parking: to accommodate large moving trucks; to facilitate construction on property adjacent to the street; to accommodate funerals or weddings; to prohibit parking for block parties, races, or parades. City ordinance allows up to six meter hoods for funerals and wedding ceremonies -- not including receptions, at no charge. All other uses require payment. If meter signs are to be used as part of a block party, race, or parade, a Street Use Permit or Parade Permit must be obtained in advance. Contractors seeking parking may find contractor hangtags to be a viable option. Depending on the type of construction, a Street Occupancy Permit may be required.

  • Meter Signs are issued for a full day, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, or half day, either 8:00 am - 1:00 pm or 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm. If the parking space will be in use before and after 1:00 pm, a full day sign will be required.
  • To offset lost revenue, the cost to reserve a parking space is $18.00 per full day and $10.00 per half day, Monday through Saturday. No fee is charged on Sundays. There is a $2.00 charge per Meter Sign.
  • Signs are placed on meters by the purchaser. The Meter Signs and zip ties must be removed immediately after use and recycled by the purchaser.
  • Vehicles may not idle in excess of 5 minutes -- MGO (12.1291 & 28.141)
  • For more information or to request Meter Signs, call Parking Utility at (608) 266-4761.
  • Meter Sign Information Sheet

Temporary No Parking Signs

In areas where there are no parking meters, temporary No Parking signs can be issued: to accommodate large moving trucks; to facilitate construction on property adjacent to the street; to accommodate weddings or funerals; to prohibit parking for block parties, races, or parades. Signs for weddings and funerals are provided at no charge per city ordinance. All other uses require payment. If No Parking signs are to be used as part of a block party, race, or parade, a Street Use Permit or Parade Permit must be obtained in advance. If construction is to occur, and depending on the type, a Street Occupancy Permit may be required.

  • Temporary No Parking Signs cost $2.00 per sign.
  • Signs must be posted by the purchaser in compliance with Madison Police Department Guidelines
  • Vehicles may not idle in excess of 5 minutes -- MGO (12.1291 & 28.141)
  • For more information or to request Temporary No Parking Signs, call the Parking Utility at (608) 266-4761.

On-Street Moving and Storage Containers

If possible, storage containers, pods, and moving trailers (referred to here as containers) should be located off-street in private driveways, private parking lots, or other private property. If this is not possible you may apply for a Street Occupancy Permit to place the container on the street.  Instructions for completing the Street Occupancy application with regards to storage containers or trailers.

  • Applications for a Street Occupancy Permit must be in writing and can be initiated via email sop@cityofmadison.com or in person at the Parking Utility Office. It is advisable to call ahead for help with container placement.  
  • The fee for a permit is $50.
  • Containers may not remain on the street for more than 5 consecutive calendar days.
  • If the container is to be placed at a metered parking space, meter signs must be purchased for the duration of this placement. This cost is in addition to the $50 permit fee.
  • Containers can only be placed in front of the residence of the container user.  An acknowledgement letter is required if placing the container in front of an alternate address.
  • No containers may be placed in a traffic lane, peak hour lane, bike lane, parking restriction area, at a bus stop or other street area designated for a specific use.
  • Containers are not allowed on the terrace between the street and sidewalk.
  • For more information, call Parking Utility at (608) 266-4761.

Permits

  • Residential Parking Permits
    • Residential Permit Program - Area Maps
    • Apply for a Residential Permit
    • Eligibility for Multiple Permits
    • Replacement Permits
  • Monthly Parking Permits
    • Monthly Permit Savings
    • Carpool Program
  • Motorcycle & Moped Annual Permits
  • Contractor Permits
  • Street Occupancy

Contact Parking Utility

Parking Utility Office
Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 109
Madison, WI 53703

  • Office Hours:
    Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
    Residential Parking Permit sales 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Currently closed for walk-in service. Please call or email for additional information.
  • Phone: (608) 266-4761
  • Fax: (608) 267-1158
  • Email: parking@cityofmadison.com

Contact Parking Utility

Parking Utility Office
Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Suite 109
Madison, WI 53703
  • Office Hours:
    Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
    Residential Parking Permit sales 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Currently closed for walk-in service. Please call or email for additional information.
  • Phone: (608) 266-4761
  • Fax: (608) 267-1158
  • Email: parking@cityofmadison.com
  • WI Relay Service

Navigate to

  • Current Hourly Parking Availability
  • Residential Permits
  • Accessible Parking
  • En Español
  • Winter Parking

External Departments

  • Pay a Parking Ticket
  • Request a Parking Ticket Review
  • Traffic Engineering
  • Madison Metro
  • Park & Ride
  • RideShare
  • Dane County Regional Airport Parking

Stay Informed

  • Traffic & Parking Facebook

All Social Media »

City of Madison, Wisconsin logo, copyright City of Madison

Our Madison – Inclusive, Innovative, & Thriving

Copyright © 1995 - 2021 City of Madison, WI
  • Contact Webmaster
  • Accessibility
  • Web Policies
2019 Winner of the Digital Cities Survey by the Center for Digital Government