Sharjah Parking Timing 2026: Midnight Hours & Free Days
Quick answer: Paid public parking in Sharjah runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight, Saturday to Thursday, in every paid zone. Since 1 July 2026 this applies to the yellow-sign zones as well, which used to stop charging at 10 PM. Parking is free from midnight to 8 AM, and free all day on Fridays and official public holidays, except in blue-sign zones, which charge every day of the week including Fridays and holidays. Fees start at AED 2 for one hour.
Sharjah parking timings at a glance
| Zone or situation | Paid hours | Fridays | Public holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow-sign zones (standard paid parking) | 8:00 AM to midnight | Free | Free |
| Blue-sign zones (seven-day parking) | 8:00 AM to midnight | Paid | Paid |
| Smart parking zones in tourist areas | Set by the zone; can differ | Check the sign | Check the sign |
| Any paid zone, midnight to 8:00 AM | Free | Free | Free |
| Private and mall car parks | Operator’s own rules | Operator’s own rules | Operator’s own rules |
The same 8 AM to midnight window applies in Sharjah City, Kalba, Khorfakkan and Al Dhaid. Sharjah City Municipality manages about 124,000 paid public parking spaces across these areas.
What changed on 1 July 2026
Until 30 June 2026 Sharjah had two different finishing times: yellow-sign zones charged from 8 AM to 10 PM, while blue-sign zones had already moved to midnight on 1 November 2024. From 1 July 2026 the municipality extended the yellow zones to midnight too, so every paid public zone now charges until 12 midnight.
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 1 November 2024 | Blue-sign seven-day zones extended to 8 AM to midnight |
| Before 1 July 2026 | Yellow-sign zones charged 8 AM to 10 PM |
| 1 July 2026 | Yellow-sign zones extended to midnight; all paid zones now 8 AM to midnight |
| 1 July 2026 | Subscription prices unchanged; daily exemption for subscribers raised from 14 to 16 hours |
The municipality’s Public Parking Department said the change followed a study of parking patterns, occupancy and demand, and noted that subscription holders and restaurant visitors often struggled to find spaces after 10 PM. The aim is faster turnover of spaces and less illegal or random parking in busy areas.
What it means in practice: parking at 10:30 PM on a Monday was free before July 2026 in a yellow zone; now you need a ticket until midnight.
Blue signs and yellow signs: which zone are you in?
The colour of the parking sign tells you whether Friday and holidays are free. The paid hours are now the same for both.
| Yellow-sign zone | Blue-sign zone | |
|---|---|---|
| Paid hours | 8 AM to midnight | 8 AM to midnight |
| Saturday to Thursday | Paid | Paid |
| Friday | Free | Paid |
| Official public holidays | Free | Paid |
| Typical locations | Residential and general commercial streets | Busy commercial and high-demand areas |
| How to recognise it | Yellow information sign | Blue sign stating parking is paid all days of the week, including public holidays |
Always read the sign at the bay itself. A neighbouring street can be in a different zone, and a “paid all days” sign means you must pay on Friday as well.
When is parking free in Sharjah?
- Every night from midnight to 8:00 AM, in all public paid zones.
- Fridays, in yellow-sign zones.
- Official public holidays, such as Eid holidays, in yellow-sign zones. The municipality announces holiday free-parking periods each time, and blue-sign and smart zones are normally excluded.
- For subscribers, inside the zones their subscription covers.
- With a People of Determination permit, in the spaces the permit allows.
Free parking never overrides a no-parking sign, a loading bay, a reserved space or a road marking. Waiting in your car does not exempt you either: a paid bay needs a ticket during charging hours even if you stay inside the vehicle.
Sharjah parking fees
| Duration | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | AED 2 |
| 2 hours | AED 5 |
| 3 hours | AED 8 |
| 5 hours | AED 12 |
There is no 4-hour ticket: the municipality’s SMS service accepts only 1, 2, 3 or 5 hours. A 4-hour stay therefore costs AED 12 for 5 hours, or a 3-hour ticket extended by another hour. Fees and rules can differ in smart parking zones and in privately operated car parks.
How to pay for parking in Sharjah
By SMS to 5566
Send an SMS to 5566 in this format: plate source, space, plate number, space, hours. For a Sharjah plate, parking for one hour is SHJ 12345 1. For other emirates use the source code shown for your plate, for example DXB or AUH. You receive a confirmation SMS with the booking details, and you can extend by replying Y before the ticket expires. Each SMS carries a small service charge on top of the parking fee.
By app
The municipality’s Mawqef app (Sharjah City Municipality) handles parking payments and subscriptions. Parking can also be paid through the Digital Sharjah app.
At the parking machine
Pay-and-display machines in paid zones issue a ticket for the hours you choose. Place it where it is clearly visible on the dashboard.
For full SMS details, codes for every emirate and common mistakes, see our Sharjah SMS parking guide.
Parking subscriptions in Sharjah
If you park in Sharjah every day, a subscription is usually cheaper than tickets. Since July 2026 a subscription exempts you for 16 hours a day instead of 14, at the same price.
All-areas subscription (Sharjah City)
| Duration | Personal | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days | AED 170 | AED 170 |
| 20 days | AED 290 | AED 290 |
| 1 month | AED 390 | AED 390 |
| 3 months | AED 850 | AED 1,050 |
| 6 months | AED 1,400 | AED 1,750 |
| 12 months | AED 2,300 | AED 2,850 |
Two-zone subscription
| Duration | Personal | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | AED 166 | AED 200 |
| 3 months | AED 500 | AED 600 |
| 6 months | AED 900 | AED 1,100 |
| 12 months | AED 1,700 | AED 2,100 |
Exceptional subscription
A discounted “exceptional” all-areas subscription costs AED 600 for 3 months, AED 1,050 for 6 months and AED 1,850 for 12 months. It is open to retired Emiratis, university students in the UAE, local and federal government employees working in Sharjah City, people receiving aid from Sharjah’s Social Services Department or the Ministry of Community Development, Emiratis over 60, Emiratis living in paid zones of Sharjah City, and holders of National Service (Humat Al Watan) cards.
All subscriptions add municipality service charges of AED 10.50 (collection), AED 10 (scientific research) and AED 25 (service provider) to the listed price. You need a valid vehicle registration, any vehicle fines must be paid first, and individuals need copies of their Emirates ID and vehicle ownership card. Companies need a trade licence.
How to subscribe in the Mawqef app
- Register in the Mawqef app or continue as a guest.
- Open Vehicles and add your vehicle details.
- Go to Services and choose Public Parking Subscription.
- Tap New Subscription, select your vehicle and tap Next.
- Choose the permit type, the zones and the duration.
- Enter your personal details and upload your Emirates ID and vehicle ownership card.
- Pay by Apple Pay, bank card or the Tahseel wallet.
Sharjah parking fines
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Parking in a paid space without a valid ticket | AED 150 |
| Staying beyond the paid time | AED 100 |
| Parking that obstructs traffic or endangers others | AED 200 |
| Not displaying a reservation permit | AED 300 |
| Misusing a parking machine | AED 500 |
| Parking in a People of Determination space without a permit | AED 1,000 |
Fines can be checked and paid online through the municipality’s vehicle-violations service and the Mawqef app, and you can file an objection to a public parking fine online. If your car has been clamped, request the release through the municipality’s vehicle-unlock service after paying.
Ramadan, Eid and holiday parking
Ramadan parking hours are announced by the municipality each year, so do not assume the regular timing applies during the holy month. Free parking for Eid and other public holidays is also announced in advance, with the exact free days stated in the notice.
In both cases the blue-sign seven-day zones and smart parking zones normally remain paid. Check the notice for the specific dates and zones before leaving your car on a holiday.
Other parking services in Sharjah
| Need | Municipality service |
|---|---|
| Disabled parking | People of Determination parking permit, applied for online |
| Reserving a space outside a business or home | Parking allocation and closure permit, with renewal and change options |
| Using land as a paid car park | Permit to invest land as vehicle parking |
| Caravans | Booking for mobile caravan parking in the Al Mamzar area; appointments are on Mondays only, for customers without a valid permit |
| Checking a subscription | Online subscription status enquiry |
| Lost reserved-parking permit | Replacement permit service |
Tips for parking in Sharjah after dark
- Buying a ticket after 10 PM is now normal: an evening meal from 9 PM to 11 PM needs a 2-hour ticket (AED 5).
- A ticket bought at 11:30 PM only needs to cover the time until midnight, because charging stops then.
- If you arrive after midnight, you do not need a ticket until 8 AM, so set a reminder if you will still be parked then.
- On Thursday night, parking in a yellow zone after midnight is free through Friday until 8 AM on Saturday.
- Visiting from Dubai? Sharjah does not follow Dubai’s Sunday rules. Compare with the Dubai parking SMS format and the Ajman parking SMS guide if you drive between emirates.
If you would rather not drive into central Sharjah at all, buses run from Dubai to Sharjah throughout the day, for example the E303 from Union and the 309 from Al Quoz.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parking timings in Sharjah?
Paid parking runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 midnight in all paid public zones. It is free from midnight to 8 AM.
Is parking free in Sharjah on Friday?
Yes in yellow-sign zones. No in blue-sign zones, which charge every day including Fridays and public holidays.
Is parking free in Sharjah after 10 PM?
Not any more. Since 1 July 2026 all paid zones charge until midnight on charging days.
Is Sharjah parking free on Sunday?
No. Sunday is a normal paid day in Sharjah. Only Fridays and public holidays are free, and only in yellow-sign zones.
How much is parking in Sharjah per hour?
AED 2 for one hour, AED 5 for two hours, AED 8 for three hours and AED 12 for five hours.
How do I pay for parking in Sharjah by SMS?
Send your plate source, plate number and hours to 5566, for example SHJ 12345 1. Reply Y before expiry to extend.
What is the fine for not paying for parking in Sharjah?
AED 150 for parking without a valid ticket, and AED 100 for staying beyond the time you paid for.
Did subscription prices change when hours were extended?
No. Prices stayed the same, and the daily exemption for subscribers increased from 14 to 16 hours.
Timings, fees, subscription prices and services were checked against Sharjah City Municipality’s official service pages and its July 2026 announcement on 20 October 2026.
