(The Center Square) – Seattle is adjusting parking rates throughout the city, with 11 locations now having a maximum $5 per hour on-site parking fee.
The city adjusts street parking rates three times a year in the winter, summer, and fall, in order to account for seasonal changes to parking demand. The new adjustments will go into effect on Monday, Oct. 23.
Overall, 26 street parking locations and times will see a 50 cent change out of a possible 88. The Seattle Department of Transportation noted in its parking rate change announcement that many parking areas have returned to pre-pandemic parking rates based on the change in demand.
Out of the 88 street parking locations, 19 are seeing 50 cent increases and seven will see 50 cent decreases.
“We adjust street parking rates with the goal that one to two spaces are generally open on each block throughout the day to provide reliable access at the curb for people to park and visit businesses in the area,” the Seattle Department of Transportation said in an announcement.
Ian Erlichman, a resident in Seattle’s Capitol Hill District, does not believe the parking increase will help with the city’s cost of living.
“Cap Hill is a tough place to own a car – parking is scarce and oftentimes the most available places are privately owned parking lots that charge way more than residential parking zone permits,” Erlichman said to The Center Square in a phone call.
The 11 locations with $5 hourly parking rates include the Ballard core (afternoon), Capitol Hill South (evening), Chinatown/International District (afternoon and evening), Commercial Core Waterfront (afternoon), Denny Triangle North (afternoon), Denny Triangle South (afternoon and evening), First Hill (afternoon), Fremont (afternoon and evening), Pike-Pine (evening), South Lake Union South (afternoon), and the University District Core (afternoon).
