Director of Transportation—Rate setting for parking payment devices
Seattle Mun. Code § 11.16.121
in effect11.16.121 - Director of Transportation—Rate setting for parking payment devices
A. Parking rates to be charged at parking payment devices, including parking meters, for parking in city rights-of-way and other city-controlled parking areas under the jurisdiction of Seattle Department of Transportation shall be within rate limits established by this section. Rates may vary according to location, time of day, maximum parking time allowed, the capabilities of available parking payment devices, and any other factors the Director determines are pertinent. In setting rates, the Director is not subject to Chapter 3.02 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
B. The Director of Transportation is authorized to set parking rates up to $8 per hour ("Maximum Hourly Rate"), except that for large Seattle Center events the Director is authorized to set parking rates up to $12 per hour for locations within a mile of Seattle Center. When parking rates are in effect, parking rates shall be set no lower than $1 per hour ("Minimum Hourly Rate").
C. The Director shall establish on-street parking rates and shall adjust parking rates higher (up to the Maximum Hourly Rate) or lower (as low as the Minimum Hourly Rate) in neighborhood parking areas based on measured occupancy so that approximately one or two open spaces are available on each block face throughout the day in order to:
1. Support neighborhood business districts by making on-street parking available and by encouraging economic development;
2. Maintain adequate turnover of on-street parking spaces and reduce incidents of meter feeding in commercial districts;
3. Encourage an adequate amount of on-street parking availability for a variety of parking users, efficient use of off-street parking facilities, and enhanced use of transit and other transportation alternatives; and,
4. Reduce congestion in travel lanes caused by drivers seeking on-street parking.
D. The Director of Transportation is authorized to develop a Director's Rule setting forth how rate setting will occur for the Performance-Based Parking Pricing Program, including for large Seattle Center events and how the Seattle Department of Transportation will determine the applicable geographical area that is subject to large Seattle Center event rates. Performance-Based Parking Pricing has a policy goal of achieving approximately one to two parking spaces available on each block face.
(Ord. 126949, § 1, 2023; Ord. 126399, § 2, 2021; Ord. 125210, § 1, 2016; Ord. 123462, § 1, 2010; Ord. 122852, § 2, 2008; Ord. 122274, § 1, 2006; Ord. 121420, § 6, 2004; Ord. 121330, § 2, 2003.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT11VETR_SUBTITLE_ITRCO_PT1GEPRAD_CH11.16TRAD_11.16.121DITRATSEPAPADEFetched: 11/1/2026