Office of Transportation

The City of Berkeley currently uses two types of meters: the Cale pay-and-display stations (ParkEZ Stations) and the Duncan Eagle Meters. Meters are enforced 9:00am to 6:00pm.

If you encounter a meter which is broken or not working, please report this to the following information line 1-877-METER411. Even if the meter is broken, it is not legal to park in the space longer than the meter time limit, when the meter would normally be in effect. The time limit, such as 1 hour or 2 hours, is shown on the meter and often on street signs as well. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE BAGS OVER THE PARKING METERS.

HOLIDAY	DATE
New Year's Day	January 1st
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day	January 21th
Washington's Birthday (a.k.a Presidents Day)	February 18th
Memorial Day	May 26th
Independence Day	July 4
Labor Day	September 3rd
Indigenous People's Day (a.k.a Columbus Day)	October 13th
Veteran's Day	November 11
Thanksgiving Day	November 27
Christmas Day	December 25

Parking Meter and EZ Pay Station Rates

The rate for all metered parking lots and on-street parking meters is $1.00 per hour. The rate structure is as follows:

If you have questions concerning these meters or need assistance in how to operate them, please call the toll free meter information line at 1-877-METER411.

In the Spring of 2005 the City of Berkeley began upgrading the multi-space meters located in the Shattuck downtown area with new Cale pay-and-display stations (ParkEZ Stations). In January 2006, two other locations were retrofitted with ParkEZ Stations: Bancroft Avenue between Piedmont and Fulton; and Shattuck Avenue between Rose and Vine.

ParkEZ Stations make parking on the streets of Berkeley easier and more convenient. Parking customers have more payment options (coin, credit card/ debit card). After payment, visitors receive a special ticket from the machine that is then placed face-up on the street-side of the vehicle's dashboard.

The ParkEZ Stations are easily operated by following three easy steps that are clearly displayed on all ParkEZ Stations.

You can also download a .pdf version of the Cale pay-and-display stations flyer by clicking here.

How do you know to pay for parking at a Park EZ Pay Station?

Whenever a City block has one or more pay stations, signs at each end of the block direct users to "Pay to Park” with an arrow pointing towards the closest pay station. Additional signs advise of the zone limits for areas. Above each pay station, another sign points to the machine and directs users to "Pay Here to Park."

Figure 1

Q1. What days are Parking Meters enforced?

Click here to see 2008 Parking Meter Holiday Calendar

Q2. What does the ParkEZ Station look like?

A. A ParkEZ Station is an automated kiosk that replaces all the individual parking meters on the block. It still accepts coins, but also accepts credit and debit cards, making paying for parking much more convenient.

Q3. Where do I find the new ParkEZ Stations?

A. The ParkEZ Stations are conveniently located on both sides of Shattuck from Allston to the vicinity of Parker, on Center between Milvia and Oxford, on Kittredge in front of the Main Library, and on Addison Street between Shattuck and Milvia.

Additional pay stations are located in North Shattuck between Rose and Vine and on Bancroft between Piedmont and Fulton. There are directional signs throughout the block directing parkers.

Q4. When are the ParkEZ Stations enforced?

A. ParkEZ Stations are enforced Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, unless otherwise posted.

Q5. What is the dispensing machine ticket?

A. The dispensing machine ticket (DMT) is your proof of legal parking. The DMT is generated from the ParkEZ Station once you have paid for your desired time. You take the DMT and place it face up on the street side of the vehicle's dashboard, so that the expiration time and date are visible from outside the vehicle. For angled parking and normal parking on the right side of the road, use driver’s side dashboard. When parking on the left side of one-way streets, use the passenger side dashboard.

The DMT also provides the parker with a smaller portion that you can take with you shopping to remind you of the legal parking time. (See Figure 2)

Q6. How are the new ParkEZ Stations powered?

A. They are solar powered with a battery backup.

Q7. What is a Meter Repair Courtesy Notice?

A. Whenever the Meter Maintenance Team finds a vehicle parked at a malfunctioning meter, they initiate repair and place the maximum time on the meter. A courtesy notice is left on the windshield of the vehicle at the time a meter repair occurs, indicating the time of the repair and the amount of time put on the meter by the meter mechanic.

Figure 2

If you have questions concerning these meters or need assistance in how to operate them, please call the toll free meter information line at 1-877-METER411.

Meter Maintenance

The City's Office of Transportation has a Meter Maintenance Team consisting of a Supervisor and eight staff people who are responsible for the collection of revenues, as well as the maintenance and repair of the City’s on-street meters. The Meter Maintenance Team is responsible for routinely replacing meter batteries, lubricating locks, maintaining meter identification numbers, replacing domes and removing graffiti from meters and poles.

Whenever the Meter Maintenance Team finds a vehicle parked at a malfunctioning meter, they initiate repair and place the maximum time on the meter. However, the maximum time you can park in a meter space (during the days and hours it is supposed to be in operation) is the maximum time allowed if the meter were functioning (e.g. 1hour; 2 hours). Therefore, you could get a parking ticket later in the day after the meter is repaired, and after time has expired.

If you have any questions for the Meter Maintenance Team, please email Danette Perry, Dperry@ci.berkeley.ca.us or call (510)981-6472.

Parking Meter Revenue

The monies collected from on-street parking operations is used to support City services. Currently, it is applied directly to fund Parking Enforcement operations of the Berkeley Police Department.