Meters and disabled placards
Do I have to pay the meter with a disabled placard?
A University of Tennessee advisory service says state law bars cities from charging a parking fee to a vehicle with a disabled placard or plate when the disabled person is the driver or passenger.
- The summary cites Tenn. Code Ann. 55-21-105; the statute text itself was not opened.
- The same page says a person with a certificate or special plate is relieved of parking violations except in fire lanes and rush-hour lanes.
- Private lots are not covered by this summary.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
Disabled parking placards
Who can get a disabled parking placard, and are other states' placards honored?
Tennessee residents who use a wheelchair, walk with difficulty, have 20/200 vision or worse, or are guardians of a permanently disabled non-driver can get one. Whether visitors' out-of-state placards are honored was not confirmed.
- Temporary placards are valid up to six months and can be reissued once.
- An application from another state is not accepted for a Tennessee placard, but an out-of-state physician's proof of disability may be accepted.
- Whether Tennessee honors a visitor's out-of-state placard was not found on an official page.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: noVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“license plates, placards and decals are available to Tennessee residents who: use a wheelchair. walk with difficulty or uncertainty.” (TN Dept. of Revenue - Disabled Plates & Placards)
Time limits and overtime
How long can I stay in a time-limited space, and what happens if I overstay?
Tennessee has no statewide time-limit rule we could confirm. Example city: Nashville paid parking allows two phone extensions up to 10 hours, then the vehicle must leave that zone for at least 30 minutes.
- Nashville's page says sessions can be extended from your phone twice, to a 10-hour maximum.
- After a session expires, the vehicle must move out of the parking zone for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Other Tennessee cities set their own limits, so read the signs.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“extend your parking session from your phone twice with a maximum allotted time of 10 hours” (Example city: Nashville - Paid Parking (Nashville.gov))
“your vehicle must be moved from that parking zone for a minimum of 30 minutes” (Example city: Nashville - Paid Parking (Nashville.gov))
Snow emergencies and street cleaning
When do I have to move my car for snow or street cleaning?
Tennessee has no statewide rule we could confirm. Example city: Nashville cites and tows cars parked against posted street sweeping signs, and removes vehicles that obstruct snowplowing.
- Nashville's street sweeping page says citations for violating posted sweeping signs began August 2025, with towing added in October 2025.
- Nashville's snow removal page says vehicles abandoned in the right-of-way in a way that obstructs operations are removed at the owner's expense.
- Check the signs on your street for sweeping days.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“NDOT will begin issuing citations for vehicles parked in violation of posted street sweeping signs” (Example city: Nashville - Street Sweeping Schedule (Nashville.gov))
“vehicles abandoned within the public right-of-way in such a manner to obstruct operations and/or create a hazard” (Example city: Nashville - Snow Removal (Nashville.gov))
Overnight parking and permits
Can I park on the street overnight?
Tennessee has no statewide overnight rule we could confirm. Example city: Nashville issues residential parking permits for residents and visitors on approved streets; its page does not state overnight rules.
- Permits apply only on streets that have joined Nashville's residential permit program.
- The page does not say whether overnight street parking is banned, so check posted signs.
- Other Tennessee cities set their own rules.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“issuing parking permits for residents and their visitors” (Example city: Nashville - Apply for a Parking Permit (Nashville.gov))
Towing and fines
What can I be fined or towed for, and how do I get my car back?
Parking in a disabled space without a placard or plate can bring a $200 fine and towing. A vehicle illegally on public property over 48 hours counts as abandoned. Contact the tow company or police agency to reclaim it.
- Owners get a mailed notice and have 20 days from receipt to reclaim the vehicle before it may be sold at auction.
- The state's Abandoned Vehicle Portal owner search is not available until 2027; until then contact the police agency or tow company.
- Total fees (storage, release) are set by the tow company or agency; the state portal may not show all fees.
- Other fines for ordinary parking violations are set locally.
Partly confirmedVaries by city: yesVerified Nov 12, 2026
What the source says
“Has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than 48 hours;” (TN Dept. of Revenue - Abandoned Vehicle Portal, For Vehicle Owners)
“the authorized entity in possession of your vehicle may sell the vehicle at public auction.” (TN Dept. of Revenue - Abandoned Vehicle Portal, For Vehicle Owners)
Ask about parking rules
COMING SOONSoon you will be able to ask a question and get an answer from these verified rules, with the source.
General information, not legal advice. Local signs and ordinances always apply.
