Raleigh’s new parking rates are now in effect: What changed downtown

Raleigh’s downtown parking-rate changes took effect Saturday, Aug. 1, making Wednesday, Aug. 5, the first Wednesday workday under the new prices.

The changes apply to on-street parking and select City of Raleigh parking facilities. They affect downtown commuters, workers, visitors and businesses, while preserving free-parking rules at participating non-event decks.

New downtown parking rates

• On-street parking: $1.50 per hour.
• Non-event parking decks: $3 per hour, with a $21 daily maximum.
• Event parking decks: $4 per hour, with a $24 daily maximum.
• Monthly parking permits: $135 per month.

Which decks are covered?

The non-event deck rates apply to the Blount Street, City Center/Red Hat, City Hall, Moore Square and Wilmington Street parking decks.

At those non-event decks, paid parking hours remain Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The first two hours remain free Monday through Friday at all participating non-event decks, and parking in those decks remains free on weekends.

The event-deck rate applies to the Cabarrus Street, Convention Center/Charter Square and Performing Arts parking decks. Beginning Aug. 1, the City lists paid parking at those facilities as operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

On-street hours vary by location

The City lists on-street paid parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parking is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. on weekdays, depending on the location.

Drivers should check the posted information at the specific space before leaving a vehicle. Not every downtown parking location follows the same schedule or free-parking rules.

What the change means downtown

For a worker or commuter using a non-event deck, the new rate is $3 per hour, up from the previous $2 hourly rate, and the daily maximum is $21, up from $14. The first two hours remain free on weekdays at participating non-event decks, which can limit the charge for shorter visits.

Visitors attending events should account for the $4 hourly event-deck rate and $24 daily maximum. Monthly permit holders now pay $135 per month, compared with the previous $125 price.

For downtown businesses, the immediate practical question is how customers, employees and visitors use on-street spaces, decks and shorter or longer stays. The City’s current notice does not specify a particular effect on congestion, business activity or enforcement.

Where to check current information

Raleigh Parking’s service page provides current parking-service information and contact details. Drivers can also contact Raleigh Parking at 919-996-3996 or raleighparking@raleighnc.gov for facility-specific questions.

Sources

• City of Raleigh: Parking Rate Changes Coming August 1
• WRAL: New proposals could make parking more expensive in downtown Raleigh