Sharjah extends paid parking hours until midnight from July 1
124,000 spaces affected under revised schedule
SHARJAH – The Sharjah City Municipality has announced that paid public parking hours across the emirate will be extended until midnight from July 1, 2026.
The updated system will apply to parking areas in Sharjah city, Kalba, Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid, introducing longer operating hours to meet increasing demand. The decision aims to improve parking availability, support commercial activity and ensure more efficient use of public spaces.
The revised timings will bring all paid parking areas under a unified schedule, with zones marked by yellow signboards now operating in line with blue-sign parking areas that already charge fees until 12am. Under the new system, parking fees will apply from 8am until midnight.
Parking update
Sharjah Municipality confirmed that the extension will affect approximately 124,000 paid public parking spaces across the emirate. However, the operating mechanism and fee calculation for these spaces will remain different from smart parking facilities located in various areas, particularly in tourist destinations.
Public parking will continue to remain free on Fridays and official public holidays under the existing system. Exceptions will apply to specific zones where parking fees are charged throughout the week, including weekends and public holidays.
Hamed Al Qaed, Director of the Public Parking Department at Sharjah City Municipality, said the change was introduced following the growing demand for parking services across the emirate.
He explained that the decision reflects the urban, demographic and tourism growth experienced by Sharjah’s cities. The municipality carried out a detailed study covering parking usage patterns, demand levels, distribution areas, benchmarking exercises and feedback from residents and visitors before introducing the updated timings.
Growing demand
The municipality said the emirate’s expanding economic and commercial activity has increased the need for longer parking hours, particularly in busy areas. Extending operations until midnight is expected to improve parking availability, reduce misuse of spaces and address challenges faced by motorists.
Al Qaed highlighted that seasonal subscription holders, as well as customers visiting restaurants and cafeterias, often face difficulty finding parking after 10pm. The updated system is designed to improve service efficiency and provide better access for residents and visitors during peak periods.
The extended timings will also support better parking turnover in high-demand commercial and residential areas while helping reduce random parking practices. The move forms part of wider efforts to enhance public parking services across the emirate.
Fees unchanged
Sharjah Municipality confirmed that seasonal parking subscription fees will not increase following the extension. Existing subscription rates will remain unchanged, while subscribers will benefit from an additional two hours of daily exemption.
Previously, subscription holders received a 14-hour exemption period, which will now increase to 16 hours each day under the revised parking schedule.
The municipality has urged motorists to follow the updated parking timings and pay applicable fees through available channels, including SMS services and the Sharjah Digital application. Residents and visitors can also use seasonal parking subscriptions, which are available through the municipality’s services.