Net Income Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net Income Per Common Share
Net income attributable to Standard Parking Corporation	$ (5,610)	$ 2,379	$ 4,155	$ 2,196	$ 3,602	$ 5,976	$ 4,543	$ 3,779	$ 3,120	$ 17,900	$ 16,840
Weighted average common basic shares outstanding	21,836,583,000	15,668,129,000	15,665,263,000	15,563,914,000	15,485,793,000	15,704,837,000	15,834,622,000	15,790,875,000	17,179,606	15,703,595	15,579,352
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)									310,598	344,284	365,310
Weighted average common diluted shares outstanding	22,357,602,000	15,928,685,000	15,900,659,000	15,820,118,000	15,845,173,000	16,034,330,000	16,164,114,000	16,146,106,000	17,490,204	16,047,879	15,944,662
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.15	$ 0.27	$ 0.14	$ 0.23	$ 0.38	$ 0.29	$ 0.24	$ 0.18	$ 1.14	$ 1.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.26)	$ 0.15	$ 0.26	$ 0.14	$ 0.23	$ 0.37	$ 0.28	$ 0.23	$ 0.18	$ 1.12	$ 1.06
Additional securities not included in the computation of diluted net income per share									0	0	0