Stop Predatory Parking in Nashville

Nashville residents and workers are being exploited by private parking companies that prioritize profit over people. The nurses, teachers, hospitality workers, and everyday Nashvillians who keep this city running cannot afford to park in it. They are being hit with hidden fees, unlawful charges, and impossible-to-navigate dispute systems while these companies face little to no accountability.

 

THE COMPANIES RESPONSIBLE

 

Several private parking companies operating in Nashville have faced significant consumer complaints, with at least one major enforcement action by the State of Tennessee:

 

Metropolis Technologies (formerly Premier Parking and McKinley Payments) agreed to a nearly $9 million settlement with the Tennessee Attorney General  following more than 300 consumer complaints involving misleading pricing, erroneous charges, and difficulty obtaining refunds.

Other parking operators, including Park Happy, LAZ Parking, and Peak/Apex Parking have received numerous complaints from Nashville residents describing:

 

• High or unclear fees

• Confusing or insufficient signage

• Difficulty disputing charges

• Aggressive enforcement practices

 

THE PROBLEM

 

Across Nashville, residents are experiencing:

 

• Exorbitant and unpredictable fees — often 5 to 7 times the posted parking rate

• QR-code-only and app-based payment systems that exclude elderly individuals, low-income residents, those with limited access to technology, or even people whose phones have simply run out of battery.

• Hidden or concealed pricing — with "special rates" applied without notice or disclosure

• Charges issued to drivers who never parked — due to faulty license plate readers

• Hard to dispute or refund process — no phone numbers, no accountability

• A total absence of free or affordable parking options in high-traffic areas of our city

 

Parking is not a luxury, it is essential infrastructure. Nashville residents and workers simply cannot absorb these added costs. This goes beyond convenience. It is a matter of affordability, and Nashville’s leaders must recognize and address it as such.

 

We are calling on Mayor Freddie O'Connell, the Metro Council, and the Tennessee

Attorney General's Office to stop passing the buck and take decisive action. The AG's

settlement with Metropolis proves these abuses are real — now it's time to end them

City-wide.

 

WE DEMAND

 

• Free and low-cost parking options in high-traffic and downtown areas, so that parking in Nashville is accessible.

• Enforceable rate caps on private parking lots tied to neighborhood income levels, preventing companies from price gouging Nashville residents and workers.

• Clear, upfront pricing displayed prominently before parking begins. No hidden “special rates,” no surprise bills arriving later with outrageous late fees that can quickly add up.

• Mandatory grace periods of at least 15 minutes before any violation or fine can be issued.

• Non-digital payment options including cash and credit card — QR-code-only systems must be prohibited.

• A mandatory, accessible dispute process with a real phone number, a defined response timeline, and independent oversight.

• Strict accountability for companies that violate these standards — including fines, loss of operating licenses, and mandatory consumer refunds.

 

Nashville belongs to its people — not to predatory parking corporations. We demand a city where you can park without fear of being ripped off.

 

Sign this petition. Make your voice heard. Demand change NOW.