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Boise City Council approves changes to downtown parking

Boise City Council approves changes to downtown parking
Posted at 5:11 PM, Dec 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-19 19:11:53-05

The Boise City Council Tuesday approved a number of changes to the city’s downtown parking regulations -- in an effort to increase the availability of on-street parking for short-term visits and to encourage the use of garages and perimeter parking for longer stays.

The Council’s 3-3 tie vote on the ordinance was broken by Mayor David Bieter. Council members Maryanne Jordan, TJ Thomson and Scot Ludwig voted against adopting the ordinance, while Council President Elaine Clegg, Council President Pro-Tem Lauren McLean and Council member Ben Quintana voted in favor of the ordinance.

The changes, which go into effect February 1, will increase meter rates and enforcement hours in two designated zones in downtown Boise’s inner core.

“Zone 3, in more peripheral areas of downtown, will not be affected. The ordinance will also increase parking fines and allow special ePermits for downtown service workers,” said Boise City spokesman Mike Journee.

The changes also establish Saturday enforcement in zones 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a reduced 50-cents-per-hour meter rate and a two-hour time limit.

New Enforcement Hours:

In Zone 1 and 2:
--Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
--Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Zone 3 (no change)
--Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New Meter Rates:

Monday through Friday in Zone 1:
--$2 for the first hour
--$3 for the second hour

Monday through Friday in Zone 2:
--$1.25 for the first hour
--$2 for the second hour

Saturdays in Zone 1 and 2:
--50 cents for the first and second hour
--Two-hour parking limit

Monday through Friday in Zone 3 (no change)
--50 cents for the first and second hour
--$1 for the third and fourth hour

New Parking Fines
--Expired Meter Violation: $20
--Time Zone Violation: $25
--Hazard Violation: $60
--Accessible Violation: $150

“Individuals who are employed in the downtown core will have the opportunity to purchase a parking pass that will allow unlimited parking in zone 3 after 3 p.m. daily,” Journee said. “This parking pass, aimed to accommodate service workers, will be available from the City of Boise for $15 per month with proof of employment.”

Free parking options in downtown are still available to the public. The “20-minute free” button at all meters will remain available along with the first hour of free parking at CCDC garage locations.
Revenue generated from parking will be used to fund transportation initiatives around the city, including improving alternative options such as shuttle and park-and-ride programs.

Additional parking information can be found online at https://dfa.cityofboise.org/parking-services/downtown-on-street-parking/