12-03-2025
Dubai updates parking codes with weeks left for variable rates
Parkin PJSC - Dubai's largest operator of paid public parking facilities and services – has started putting up new parking signages in various commercial and residential areas across the city, in line with the implementation of new variable parking fees in April.
Parkin has also sent notifications to its customers who are using the app that read: 'Please be advised that the zone codes have been updated, but the tariff pricing remains unchanged. For example, zone code 'A' is now 'AP' and the parking fees remains the same.'
Paid public parking in Dubai is mainly divided into four different zones: A, B, C, D – which will become AP, BP, CP, and DP. The zones are further classified into standard and premium parking areas, which have different tariffs.
There are other parking codes/zones in different commercial areas of Dubai such as codes E, I, J, K and L at Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT); Code F – Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City; Code G – Burj Khalifa, Marasi Bay, Dubai Health Care City, Dubai Hills; Code H – Dubai Silicon Oasis; and Code X – around Dubai World Trade, where parking is Dh25 per hour when there are events.
Initially, there was a slight confusion among some motorists who saw the new parking signages for the first time, especially among those who are holding seasonal parking permits. Dubai resident Saad Aqueel, who is also a communications consultant, told Khaleej Times on Wednesday: 'I hold a seasonal parking pass for zones A, B, C and D. With the introduction of the new parking codes, I was uncertain whether my pass would still be accepted. I noticed that many people on Ittihad Road appeared confused by the changes. Out of caution and to avoid any potential fines, I chose to pay for parking despite having a valid pass.'
'I hope there are no changes for the seasonal pass holders and I hope its price will not go up,' added Aqueel, who recently paid Dh4,500 to cover his annual parking pass.
Parking fee increase
Last month, Parkin PJSC announced that the new variable pricing tariff will take effect from early April 2025 across Dubai. Salik has already rolled out variable rates depending on peak and off-peak usage of its 10 toll-gates.
Variable or dynamic pricing is about implementing flexible parking tariffs depending on peak and off-peak hours.
There are 14 chargeable hours per day (Monday to Saturday) – from 8am to 10pm. By April this year, six of those 14 hours will fall under peak timings – from 8am to 10am (2 hours) and 4pm to 8pm (4 hours).
This translates to higher parking fees during peak hours. For example, parking at a residential area in Al Barsha (code 373CP) during peak hours (8am to 10am; 4pm to 8pm) will become:
Dh 6 for 1 hour
Dh 12 for 2 hours
Dh 18 for 3 hours
Dh 24 for 4 hours
During off-peak hours, in the same area, parking fees remain as:
Dh 2 for 1 hour
Dh 5 for 2 hours
Dh 8 for 3 hours
Dh 11 for 4 hours
Free parking days
Public parking remains free of charge on Sundays and public holidays. Parkin earlier announced premium parking will be charged at Dh6 per hour across all public parking zones (A,B, C, D), except on Sundays and public holidays.
Tariffs during off-peak hours (10am– 4pm and 8pm – 10pm) will remain unchanged, with pricing in line with the existing tariff structure.
Zones B and D will continue to offer a daily rate option. The daily tariff for premium parking will be Dh40 in Zone B and Dh30 in Zone D.
Where are premium parking areas?
Parkin said they are 'currently engaged in advanced discussions with the Roads and Trasnport Authority (RTA) to confirm and finalise outstanding points regarding the variable pricing tariff, which is set to be introduced from early April 2025.'
The announcement about the increase in tariffs in premium parking areas was first announced by Parkin in November last year.
Eng Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, earlier explained: 'The locations for premium parking spaces were selected based on three criteria: First, ease of access to the area using public transport, such as areas within 500 metres of a metro station; second, areas with high parking occupancy during peak periods; and third, density and congestion, such as markets and commercial activity zones.
'Premium parking spaces include, for example, commercial areas in parts of Deira and Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Jumeirah and Al Wasl Road and other locations,' he added.
Approximately 35 per cent of the company's public parking portfolio of 184,000 spaces will qualify as premium parking.
Ramadan timings
Currently, Parkin is implementing Ramadan timings with two periods of chargeable hours from Monday to Saturday. The first period is from 8am – 6pm; and second period is from 8pm to 12 midnight. Pricing is in line with the existing tariff structure.
Parking is free between 6pm and 8pm Monday to Saturday and whole day Sundays during Ramadan only. Multi-level parking buildings operate 24/7.
