Boise council approves increase in parking fees. What drivers need to know
Boise is set to increase the amount people pay for parking fines.
On Tuesday, June 24, the Boise City Council approved increases for parking ticket fees to help offset “significant” rising costs, according to a city memo. The fines will go up approximately 3%, but will vary, according to city spokesperson Maria Ortega.
For example, parking within 30 feet of a stop sign will cost $73 under the increase, up from $70. For parking in a city park beyond the posted time limits, fees will go from $29 to $30. Failing to comply with permit terms will increase to $16.50, from $16.
The jump in costs includes supplies like envelopes and postage, software and equipment and third-party vendor fees, according to the memo.
“The adjustment in parking fines will help offset these additional expenses, ensuring the City can continue to maintain and improve its parking services efficiently while meeting the financial needs of the program,” wrote Jennifer Pitino, a lawyer for the city, in a memo to the mayor and council.
People who, for example, park in an alley, fire lane or who obstruct traffic could face higher fines. All told, the City Council voted to increase the financial penalty on 73 offenses.
The city collected over $1.7 million in parking ticket payments in Fiscal Year 2024, according to Ortega. Staff estimate that the increase will lead to around $52,000 in additional income.
The good news is the higher fines won’t go into effect until October 1, the start of Boise’s fiscal year. So if you’re going to violate Boise’s parking rules, do it now before it costs more.
But that’s not the only change Boise drivers are facing. In May, Boise announced higher prices on Saturdays and more parking enforcement. People parking on Saturdays now pay $2 to $3 per hour rates in parts of downtown, according to previous Statesman reporting.
Parking has changed greatly over the years in Boise, in part because city planners have tried to get rid of inefficient surface parking lots.
