Seattle street parking rate changes coming June 1

Street parking prices are changing again in some of Seattle’s busiest neighborhoods, but the Seattle Department of Transportation notes many prices will remain relatively low.

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Starting Tuesday, June 1, street parking rates in downtown Seattle and in many surrounding neighborhoods are going up as much as $1 an hour. The highest prices will be in the Chinatown-International District in the afternoons at $2.50 an hour.

The rates are being adjusted, according to SDOT, to help customers be able to find on-street parking near restaurants, shops, cafes, and other businesses they may be visiting. SDOT also says that setting “effective and affordable” rates increases access to businesses by ensuring turnover of parked cars.

“As more and more Seattleites are fully vaccinated and out and about, we’ve seen an increase in demand for on-street parking in many neighborhoods,” reads the SDOT Blog about the rate changes.

Before the pandemic, some of Seattle’s street parking rates varied from $0.50 to as high as $5.00 for 60 minutes, depending on time of day and location in the city. SDOT says other cities have returned to their full pre-COVID parking rates, but Seattle is adjusting rates slowly based on demand. Parking conditions and data will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.

On June 1, parking rates will increase by either $0.50 or $1.00 per hour in parts of 12th Avenue, Belltown, Chinatown International District, Columbia City, Downtown, Denny Triangle, First Hill, Fremont, Green Lake, Pioneer Square, Roosevelt, South Lake Union, and the University District.

There is one rate drop: Prices will be reduced to $0.50 an hour for evening parking in the Pike-Pine neighborhood. In most other locations, parking will remain at $0.50 per hour, the lowest rate allowed by the city’s municipal code.

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Street parking remains free on Sundays and some holidays, including Memorial Day. Privately owned parking lots are not affected by this change.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.