Sharjah paid parking hours will be extended until midnight across the emirate from July 1, following a new decision by Sharjah Municipality aimed at improving parking availability and meeting growing demand.
Under the revised system, paid parking spaces in Sharjah City, Kalba, Khorfakkan, and Al Dhaid will operate from 8 am until midnight. The change will standardise operating hours across all paid parking zones by aligning areas marked with yellow signs with those marked with blue signs, which already follow longer paid parking hours.
The municipality said the decision comes as the emirate continues to experience growth in population, tourism, and commercial activity, increasing the demand for public parking spaces in key areas.
What Is Changing for Drivers?
The most significant change is the extension of paid parking hours in zones marked with yellow signs. Previously, these areas had shorter operating hours, but from July 1, they will follow the same schedule as blue-sign zones.
Despite the revised timings, public parking will remain free on Fridays and official public holidays under the existing system. However, certain designated zones that already charge parking fees seven days a week, including holidays, will continue to operate under those rules.
Sharjah Municipality said the updated schedule is designed to improve parking turnover, reduce misuse of public spaces, and make it easier for drivers to find available parking in busy commercial and residential districts.
The emirate currently has around 124,000 paid public parking spaces, making efficient management increasingly important as demand continues to grow.
Why the New Parking Timings Were Introduced
According to Hamed Al Qaed, Director of the Public Parking Department at Sharjah Municipality, the decision was based on studies examining parking usage patterns, demand levels, and feedback from residents and visitors.
He noted that many seasonal subscription holders, as well as customers visiting restaurants and cafés during the evening, often struggle to find available parking after 10 pm. Extending operating hours until midnight is expected to ease this issue and improve access in high-demand areas.
The municipality also confirmed that seasonal subscription fees will remain unchanged despite the extended parking hours. Subscribers will benefit from an increased exemption period, rising from 14 hours to 16 hours daily.
Motorists are encouraged to follow the new parking timings and pay fees through available channels, including SMS services, the Digital Sharjah app, or seasonal parking subscriptions offered by the municipality.
