On Street Parking Changes
Several factors contribute to the rising demand for parking. These include increased vehicle ownership, population growth in certain areas, and a rise in nearby employment and shopping activities. On-street parking operates based on the principles of supply and demand. Although the number of parking spaces remains constant, the demand for these spaces can be limitless.
How Do We Address Parking Demand?
To address parking demand issues, the City implements regulations to manage this demand through parking rules and optimize supply by setting limits on parking time, day, and duration. Below is an overview of recent changes to Tacoma’s on-street parking system, along with additional context and information.
Changes to Tacoma's On-Street Parking System
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Implemented September 2024
The City of Tacoma’s Parking Services aims to simplify parking for visitors to the southern Downtown Tacoma area, especially near the University of Washington Tacoma campus.
Background
In reviewing the on-street occupancy data collected in 2022, studies have found the area to have returned to highly constrained levels. The Parking Technical Advisory Group (PTAG) supports deploying Phase 2 of Recommendation #15 to maximize right-of-way use and ensure the efficiency of the parking system. With the implementation of the “3-Hour Unpaid” regulations, Parking Services expects to realize the following benefits:
- Stimulate turnover in these areas that have reached practical capacity.
- Increase user access to areas with a demand for short-term parking.
In 2019, the City’s Parking Technical Advisory Group (PTAG) put forth Recommendation #15 to implement an ‘3 Hour’ unpaid parking zone in the following area:
- South 15th Street, South 17th Street, and South 21st Street from Market Street to Tacoma Avenue, except those already regulated stalls
Parking Occupancy Data demonstrated the area experienced significant parking constraints. These changes intend to create more parking access for short-term users. The City rolled out the new parking changes in a phased approach to allow flexibility for parking users to adjust to the new dynamic.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically impacted the parking system in unexpected ways. At that point, PTAG recommended halting the deployment of the second phase of Recommendation #15 until the downtown area returned to higher occupancy levels. In September 2024, we implemented the second phase of the changes.
Read PTAG’s Recommendation #15.
Phase 1: S. 17th Street to S. 21st Street from Tacoma Avenue to Market Street
- September 2019
- Status: Implemented
Phase 2: S. 15th Street to S. 17th Street from Tacoma Avenue to Market Street
- September 2024
- Status: Implemented
For more information and to inquire about these changes, contact Rachel Barra at (253) 591-5371 or email parking@tacoma.gov.
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Implemented December 2023
The Residential Parking Program establishes Residential Parking Zones (RPZ), which Parking Services manages. RPZs provide parking privileges to residents and guests with a permit. The permit exempts vehicles from a citation when parking in the designated zone during the posted regulated hours. The City considers RPZs on a request basis via an application. Applications must demonstrate majority support from property representatives and meet the parking occupancy thresholds via a parking study.
Parking Changes
The application for RPZ 12 has met the application requirements, and city staff approved the following changes:
- Conversion of 126 unregulated stalls to an RPZ,
- Starting on December 1, 2023, RPZ 12 will be activated, and enforcement will begin.
- Regulations will be “2 Hours of By Permit Only” Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Anyone without a permit may park within the RPZ boundaries for up to two hours. Permit coverage will be required to exceed the time limits.
For more information, visit the City’s Residential Parking Program web page.
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Implemented April 1, 2022
The Residential Parking Program establishes Residential Parking Zones (RPZ), which Parking Services manages. RPZs provide parking privileges to residents and guests with a permit. The permit exempts vehicles from a citation when parking in the designated zone during the posted regulated hours. The City considers RPZs on a request basis via an application. Applications must demonstrate majority support from property representatives and meet the parking occupancy thresholds via a parking study.
Parking Changes
The application for RPZ 11 has met the application requirements, and city staff approved the following changes:
- Along Broadway from S. 4th Street to 483′ north of S. 4th Street, west side only,
- Conversion of 41 unregulated stalls to an RPZ,
- Starting on April 1, 2022, RPZ 11 was activated, and enforcement began.
- Regulations will be “2 Hours of By Permit Only” Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Anyone without a permit may park within the RPZ boundaries for up to two hours. Permit coverage will be required to exceed the time limits.
