Our Mission

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) contributes to the economic vitality of Philadelphia and the surrounding region by effectively managing and providing convenient on-street parking and off-street parking in Center City garages, surface lots located throughout the city, and Airport parking. The PPA’s mission also includes the operation of the automated red-light and speed camera enforcement system, regulating taxicabs, limousines, transportation network companies, and other transportation-related activities.

Several customer-focused actions flow from the PPA’s mission: 

• Improving cooperation and planning with PPA stakeholders, including state and local transportation partners,
• Implementing cutting-edge technology to improve the customer experience and enhance overall management and agency efficiency,
• Emphasizing employee training on industry best practices,
• Maximizing transparency in hiring and procurement,
• Implementing on-street parking management policies that address neighborhood needs throughout the City,
• Moderating off-street parking charges in the City by setting reasonable rates at our seven PPA Center City facilities,
• Maintaining and improving neighborhood parking lots to address both residential and commercial demand,
• Providing leadership by partnering with private and public hospitality and tourism entities to enhance the visitor experience,
• Providing a superior customer experience at the parking facilities at Philadelphia International Airport in support of this critical regional economic engine,
• Encouraging safe, clean, reliable taxicab, limousine, and transportation network company service through sound regulations and consistent enforcement,
• Improving vehicle and pedestrian safety at targeted intersections through automated red light enforcement and speed cameras,
• Applying the latest technology and continuing staff development to provide the highest quality public service with maximum efficiency.

Our History

By a City Ordinance enacted on January 11, 1950, the City of Philadelphia created the Philadelphia Parking Authority pursuant to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Parking Authority Law (Act of June 5, 1947, 53 P.S. § 341 et. seq.). To this day, the PPA carries out its statutory mandate of providing adequate parking services for the residents, businesses, and visitors of Philadelphia by coordinating the efforts of public agencies concerning parking, establishing and operating public parking facilities,  and analyzing parking needs and resources for the overall benefit of the public.

Expansion of Responsibilities 

The Authority’s original responsibilities primarily concerned establishing and operating a permanent coordinated off-street parking system. On July 7, 1982, the Pennsylvania General Assembly amended the Parking Authority Law, permitting the City to delegate certain municipal powers to the Philadelphia Parking Authority to coordinate on-street parking management. On April 8, 1983, City Council passed an Ordinance transferring the following responsibilities to the PPA:

• Location, installation, and maintenance of all parking meters throughout the city
• Preparation of documentation to modify existing or implement new parking regulations, establishing time limits, loading zones, fire hydrant restrictions, reserved parking for people with disabilities, tow-away zones, and residential permit parking.
• Preparation of work orders for parking regulations signs
• Meter Revenue Collections
• Issuance and processing of parking tickets
• Towing of motor vehicles
• Impoundment of motor vehicles
• Issuance of Loading Zone Permits
• Administration of the Residential Parking Permit Program

Following an additional ordinance passed by City Council in July 1983, the PPA implemented its vehicle immobilization program, more commonly referred to as booting.  

Board Governance 

Through the Pennsylvania Legislature’s Act 22 of 2001, the PPA’s operations became governed by a six-member state-appointed board appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania.

Automated Red-Light Camera Program

In 2002, the Pennsylvania Legislature created the Automated Red Light Camera Program to improve highway safety in Philadelphia and named the PPA the program’s administrator.  With the oversight of City Council and the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation, the PPA recommends dangerous, high traffic volume intersections to install the necessary equipment and operate the enforcement program. The Red-Light Camera Program has dramatically reduced red light violation wherever it has been installed, thereby preventing many “T-Bone” accidents. That success led the Legislature to expand Automated Red Light Enforcement systems throughout the Commonwealth in 2012.  

For-Hire Transportation Regulation 

In 2005, regulatory authority over taxicab and limousine services in Philadelphia was transferred from the Public Utility Commission to the PPA’s Taxi & Limousine Division, and in 2016 the PPA’s jurisdiction expanded to include Transportation Network Companies such as Uber and Lyft. 

Speed Enforcement Camera Program 

In 2018 the Pennsylvania Legislature created the Automated Speed Camera Program in Philadelphia to address dangerous driving conditions on the Roosevelt Boulevard and named the PPA its administrator. The City of Philadelphia and PPA have significantly reduced speeding on Roosevelt Boulevard through this program. 

Job Inquiries

Current Job Postings can be found here: Job Postings