What to know about paid parking in downtown Wichita: Rates, hours, ADA spots & more
Paid parking began in some parts of downtown Wichita on July 1.
Here are questions readers had as it began:
What are rates and hours for paid parking?
Visitors will pay a dollar an hour for on-street parking and a dollar an hour in lots and garages, up to $5 a day in lots and $10 a day in garages, after new parking equipment is installed.
Monthly rates will be $35 a month in parking lots and $70 in garages.
The city’s private contractor, The Car Park, will enforce parking regulations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sundays would be free.
Why is the city implementing paid parking?
The city has said it has $18 million of deferred maintenance in its parking infrastructure, mainly in parking garages it owns downtown.
It says the parking revenue is needed to help with that.
However, much of the money it expects to take in in the first year will go to pay Car Park to enforce the new parking plan and to install new technology and equipment.
The city expects to bring in $2,205,080 in the first year, pay $1,817,357 to Car Park and have $387,723 for maintenance.
Do drivers with ADA/handicap tags get free parking?
On-street parking with proper tags or placards is free. However, the city’s website says that public surface and parking garages for handicap parking will require payment.
How do you pay for parking?
Visitors to the downtown area can use coins, card or the ParkMobile app to pay for parking at $1 an hour. Bills are not accepted at the machines.
How do I know if I need to pay for parking?
The city has installed signs on streets where paid parking is now required. Pay stations are also installed on streets where paying for parking is required. Old Town and Delano are not included in the paid parking implementation for now.
How can a business pay for its customers to park?
Businesses can set up an account with the PayByPhone app to create parking coupons for their customers, according to the city. Instructions to set up an account can be found at ParkWichita.com.
How do we know when ‘event parking’ applies?
The city defines “event parking” as any nearby parking available for people going to events at Intrust Bank Arena, Century II or any other large event. Event parking may include special pricing, whether that be surge pricing or decreased pricing, at the request of the venue. The city’s website said that event parking will be advertised on event websites, parking websites or with signs near those parking spaces during the event.
More parking questions?
Do you have more questions about paid parking in downtown Wichita? Send them to us, via this Google form.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept. 25 to note hourly rates for parking lots and garages.
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM.