Duluth Parking Meters Go Digital, Rates Increase

Coin-operated parking meters will soon be phased out in Duluth, replaced by digital payment options.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:18pm

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The city of Duluth, Minnesota is transitioning its on-street parking system from coin-operated meters to digital payment options, including a mobile app, text-to-pay, and QR code scanning. This change also comes with an increase in parking rates from $1.50 per hour to $2.00 per hour, as well as a 35-cent convenience fee for those not using the digital options.

Why it matters

The shift to digital parking is aimed at encouraging more off-street parking usage and freeing up on-street spots, but some local business owners are concerned it will negatively impact downtown foot traffic and make it more difficult for customers to quickly stop by their shops.

The details

About 1,200 traditional parking meters will be replaced in the upcoming weeks. The new digital payment options include the existing Park Duluth mobile app, a new text-to-pay feature, and QR code scanning. The city is trying to accommodate those without smartphones by offering the text-to-pay option, but a 35-cent convenience fee will be charged for not using the digital options.

  • In the next few weeks, coin-operated parking meters will be phased out in Duluth.
  • The new $2.00 per hour parking rate and digital payment options will go into effect in the coming weeks.

The players

Mark Bauer

Parking Services Manager with the Duluth Police Department.

Tristan Roth

A barista at Duluth Coffee Company who believes the digital parking changes will negatively impact downtown businesses.

Kendra Dean

The owner of Ren Market in Lincoln Park, who says she's had to help some customers figure out the new digital parking system.

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What they’re saying

“We are remaining sensitive to the various different technological abilities that folks have who are trying to park in the in the Duluth area. There's a few different things; first of all, we're talking about something like 20% of our parking public that doesn't already use that smart technology to pay and so we are hoping that a certain percentage of those folks will be able to use the text-to-park option.”

— Mark Bauer, Parking Services Manager (wdio.com)

“People just aren't going to want to stop and make a quick run-in to all of the businesses down here with that extra level of complication.”

— Tristan Roth, Barista (wdio.com)

“Recently I came across some exchange students who had parked and had the app on their phone, but the parking spot didn't actually have a number, so I tried to help them figure out where, like, what the number in the zone was and we couldn't figure it out.”

— Kendra Dean, Owner (wdio.com)

What’s next

The city plans to replace about 1,200 traditional parking meters with the new digital payment options in the upcoming weeks.

The takeaway

Duluth's shift to digital parking aims to encourage more off-street parking usage, but some local businesses are concerned the added complexity and cost will deter customers from quickly stopping by downtown shops and restaurants.