The role of parking enforcement is to confirm compliance or non-compliance with local parking regulations and then act upon noncompliance. Parking enforcement systems regulate the use of parking spaces. They include parking meters, parking ticket machines, and vehicle-mounted cameras that are used to monitor and enforce parking regulations. Parking enforcement systems work by monitoring the use of parking spaces and enforcing regulations through the issuance of parking tickets or fines. The goal of these systems is to ensure that parking spaces are used fairly and efficiently and to reduce the amount of illegal parking on city streets. There are numerous benefits to implementing a comprehensive parking enforcement system: improved traffic flow, increased safety and revenue as well as improved compliance.

Parking management refers to various policies and programs that result in more efficient use of parking resources. Parking management is designed to make more efficient use of parking resources by sharing, regulating, and pricing; using off-site parking facilities; implementing overflow-parking plans; improving user information; and improving walking and cycling conditions. It also involves reducing parking demand by encouraging use of alternative modes of transportation and improving enforcement and control of parking regulations. Parking management generally improves travel options (better walking, bicycling, public transit, carsharing, etc.), parking options (allowing motorists to choose between more convenient but higher priced or less convenient but cheaper spaces), and pricing options (hourly, daily or monthly fees, electronic payment, etc.). Parking management is becoming more efficient due to new technologies and services. A parking management plan lays out the objectives and policies to optimize parking. Plans often focus on areas such as occupancy, layout, violation management and allocation.