Charleston Parking Garage Rates to Increase Starting in October

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Drivers in downtown Charleston will soon pay more to park, as Charleston County plans to roll out new rate hikes for two major parking garages starting October 1, 2025.

New Rates Aimed at Market Alignment

Charleston County officials announced that both transient and monthly parking rates at the Cumberland Garage (90 Cumberland St.) and King and Queen Garage (85 King St.) will be raised after being reviewed as “below prevailing market values,” according to county spokesperson Chloe Field.

The goal is to establish a consistent pricing structure across all county-operated downtown garages.

Breakdown of the New Pricing

Beginning Oct. 1, the following rates will go into effect:

• Transient Parking (all county garages):
  • $1 per 20 minutes
  • $24 daily maximum
  • $50 lost ticket fee
• Monthly Parking (24/7 access):
  • King and Queen Garage: $215/month
  • Cumberland Garage: $175/month

These changes eliminate the previously offered Daytime Parking Access rate. All existing contracts with daytime access will automatically shift to the 24/7 monthly rate.

Why the Rate Change Now?

The increased revenue will be used to fund ongoing maintenance and repairs, and help cover the costs of credit card processing fees associated with garage operations.

Key Dates for Drivers to Know

For those with automatic payments set up through a debit or credit card, charges will reflect the new rates beginning November 1 for the month of October. Anyone who wishes to cancel their parking contract before the price changes must do so by September 30, 2025, by contacting the Main Parking Office via parking@charlestoncounty.org.

No refunds will be issued for early contract cancellations before the new rate schedule begins.

What Drivers Should Expect

With this adjustment, county officials aim to standardize pricing, support garage upkeep, and align Charleston’s parking fees with market expectations. While it may be a pinch for frequent parkers, officials argue that it reflects the growing demand and operational costs tied to managing downtown parking.

For more updates on Charleston infrastructure, parking, and local development, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.