Paid parking rates adjusted in parts of Seattle to ‘improve customer access’
Feb 17, 2021, 8:44 AM
On-street parking in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. (SDOT/Flickr)
(SDOT/Flickr)
Paid street parking rates are again being adjusted in a few Seattle neighborhoods.
Pay per mile gains steam in the legislative background in Olympia
The Seattle Department of Transportation says the rate changes are to help make it easier for customers find a parking space. The new rates go into effect Feb. 17.
“Setting effective and affordable parking rates improves customer access so our businesses can continue to recover,” SDOT said in its blog post about the rate changes.
Starting Wednesday, parking rates will decrease to $0.50 per hour in the morning hours in parts of the International District. In parts of Ballard, the International District, Denny Triangle, First Hill, Pike-Pine, and South Lake Union, rates will go up to $1 or $1.50 per hour. Parking at all other times and locations will remain at $0.50 per hour.
Loading zones remain free, including the temporary zones outside retail shops and restaurants for pick-up priority. Street parking is still free on Sunday and some holidays.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, SDOT says paid parking rates in Seattle varied between $0.50 and $5.00 an hour, based on time and location. Rates currently range between $0.50 and $1.50 per hour.
“Unlike other cities around the country that have returned to their full pre-COVID parking rates, Seattle’s approach is to start conservatively to adjust rates based on demand as the city continues to recover economically,” SDOT said.
Time limited parking and paid parking enforcement first returned in July 2020, after having been removed toward the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When it resumed, paid parking was $0.50 an hour in all paid areas, which is the minimum rate allowed.
Hourly time limits in unpaid business districts, as well as restricted parking zone time limits and all signs that indicate no parking will continue to be enforced. Enforcement of the city’s 72-hour rule is still suspended.
View a map of parking rates at different times of day across Seattle online here.
