Fort Myers City Council extends free parking for downtown area

Fort Myers, FL (WINK) — Downtown Fort Myers visitors can now experience slightly longer free parking after the city council voted to raise the free parking time at three garage locations.

As part of a pilot program approved by the Fort Myers City Council on Wednesday, the City of Palms Garage, Main Street Garage, and the Luminary Hotel Garage will increase their free parking time from one hour to two hours. 

The temporary rate structure is as follows:

• The first two hours are free

• The third hour is $3, with each additional hour costing an extra dollar

• The daily maximum is $10

• The evening rate after 5 p.m. is $5

According to the city council, the rate change is to attract residents and visitors to visit the downtown area.

The rates are in effect from Thursday through October 31, 2026.

The city said it will evaluate the program’s effectiveness during the pilot period and consider future parking strategies based on how it’s used and how the community reacts to the rates.