San Luis Debuts App and Text Payment Options for Downtown Parking Meters

A text to 77447 or a tap in the Park Smarter app will pay for downtown San Luis parking starting Tuesday, April 1, when the city adds two digital options to its metered zone.

Francia Alonso, Public Information Officer for the City of San Luis, outlined both methods. The Park Smarter app, available for iPhone and Android, ties each transaction to the driver's license plate. "The application will give the parking you just put the license plate you change the time and put the information to charge for parking," Alonso said. Drivers will enter their plate number, select a time block and pay through stored card information linked to their account.

The text option removes the app download requirement entirely. "Another option you guys have is text to a number that is going to be displayed at all the parking stations which will be text 'PAY' to 77447," Alonso said. The short code will appear on signage at each pay station throughout the downtown zone, so drivers won't need to look it up in advance.

Coins and card payments at physical pay stations will remain fully operational for drivers who prefer either method. The rate and rules stay unchanged: parking in the ZIP 85349 downtown zone costs $0.50 per hour, enforcement runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the five-hour maximum stay per space remains in effect.

The city framed the upgrade as a convenience measure for residents, shoppers and visitors who no longer need exact change at a metered space. The San Luis Police Department's parking page and city public information contacts are available for questions ahead of Tuesday's rollout.