JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Some downtown Jacksonville parking meters are showing their age — and for drivers trying to pay for a spot, that could mean more confusion than convenience.
Distorted screens and water inside the meter housing can make it nearly impossible to know whether a payment went through. The city acknowledged that the problem is tied to older technology that’s been exposed to the elements for years.
“We are aware that some of the existing single-space meter screens can become difficult to read over time. This is largely due to the age of the technology and continuous exposure to outdoor conditions. Addressing these limitations is one of several reasons for transitioning to newer kiosk-based systems,” the city said.
City rolls out kiosks, mobile pay to replace aging meters
Jacksonville is already in the process of upgrading its parking infrastructure. The city is swapping out single-space meters for multi-space pay kiosks across the downtown core.
“The City is currently in the process of modernizing its on-street parking system by replacing single-space meters throughout Downtown with multi-space pay kiosks, as funding allows. These kiosks are already deployed on Adams and Forsyth Streets,” the City of Jacksonville said.
In some locations, the meters are disappearing altogether. In their place, drivers will find placards — a sign that parking is paid through a mobile app rather than a physical meter. Approximately 40 additional kiosk units are planned for installation across downtown in 2026.
What to look for at older meters
Until the transition is complete, single-space meters will remain in service in parts of downtown. Drivers who encounter a meter with a hard-to-read screen should look for the indicator light built into each unit.
A flashing green light means the meter has been paid. A blinking red light means no valid payment is registered. These lights serve as the primary tool for parking enforcement officers when checking for violations.
If a screen is distorted, the light system still functions independently. The city says it’s unlikely both systems would fail at the same time.
“It is highly unlikely that both the meter screen and the colored indicator lights would fail simultaneously, as these are independent systems. Parking enforcement refers to the colored light status as their first indication there may be a parking violation,” the city said. “If the light is red, they then review whether a payment was made on the mobile app or if the vehicle has a permit before proceeding to issuance of a citation.”
Got a ticket? The city can check
Drivers who believe they paid but still received a citation aren’t without recourse. The city has the ability to verify whether a payment transaction was active at the time a ticket was issued.
“If a valid payment transaction was in effect at the time a citation was issued, we will void the ticket upon review,” the city said.
In the meantime, meter maintenance technicians inspect each unit weekly and replace components using spare parts from meters already removed during recent upgrades.
How to pay without a meter
Drivers can also skip the meter altogether by using ParkMobile to pay for parking. No app download is required. Users can simply text “Park” to 77223 to receive a secure payment link.
For those who park downtown regularly, the city recommends downloading the app for added convenience.