Final Link light rail station neighborhood parking plans

Updated October 12, 2009

Light rail service began on July 18, 2009! Click here   for more info on how to ride the train.

As of July 20, new restricted parking zones (RPZs) are in effect in the Beacon Hill,  Mount Baker,  Columbia City,  Othello, and Rainier Beach station areas.  Click on your neighborhood (above or on the map to the right) for detailed parking plans and permit application materials. Click here to see a mailer that shows all 5 neighborhood parking plans.

NOTE:   Specific proposals for the SODO and  Stadium stations are still under development.

Helpful Contact Information

• SDOT's Light Rail Parking Staff: Call (206) 684-8186 or email lightrailparking@seattle.gov
• SDOT’s RPZ Permit counter: Call (206) 684-5086
• Broken or damaged signs: Report to (206) 684-ROAD
• To report illegal parking to the Seattle Police Department: (206) 625-5011
• General Sound Transit information: (206) 398-5000 or email  main@soundtransit.org
• Call Sound Transit’s language lab hotline at 1 (800) 823-9230 to communicate in a language other than English.
• Helpful information is also available in the   Frequently Asked Questions

Project Background

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Sound Transit want to ensure that Link light rail provides great transit service without adversely impacting on-street parking spaces needed by businesses and residents. To do so, the two agencies started working with neighborhoods in April 2008 to design parking regulations around each station. The regulations are intended to prevent commuters and other transit riders from using the on-street parking spaces needed by people living and working in each station area neighborhood.

Restricted Parking Zones (RPZ) and Permits

RPZs help protect on-street parking for residents and local businesses by establishing time limits and allowing only permitted vehicles to parking beyond posted time limits.

• Most blocks in the light rail RPZ zones will be posted RPZ – allowing 2- or 4-hour visitor and customer parking and all-day permit parking for employees and residents.
• Residents within the zone will be eligible for an RPZ permit for each vehicle registered to their address. Each household is also eligible for one guest permit.
• Vehicles without a valid permit or guest pass may park for up to two hours or four hours, as allowed by the posted sign
• Vehicles with RPZ permits or guest passes are allowed to park beyond the posted time limit – up to 72 hours before the vehicle must be moved per City regulations
• The light rail RPZs will be in effect from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday through Friday.
• City Council recently approved a  pilot program  that enables employees of businesses located within the zone to be eligible for permits.

PLEASE NOTE: To ease the transition to new parking regulations, each household and business in the RPZ boundary can get up to two RPZ permits and a guest permit at no cost – and these permits can be used until Spring 2011.

• In Spring 2011, all households and businesses renewing RPZ permits will pay the current RPZ permit price.
• Additional permits currently cost $45 per vehicle for two years.  Low-income permits cost $10 for two years.
• Low-income permits are available to households receiving financial assistance to pay food, housing, energy or medical bills.  Other items may be considered on an individual basis.

Time-limit signs and load zones

• New two-hour time limits will be installed next to some retail businesses that need turnover, so customers and visitors can more easily find parking
• Existing 1-hour and 2-hour time limit signs will not be changed
• Businesses can request a load zone for their delivery and short-term customer needs by calling (206) 684-8186

What you can expect:

• SDOT crews will install signs beginning April 13
• Installation will begin around the Rainier Beach station and then move north
• Enforcement of RPZs will begin when light rail service begins
• Enforcement of new time-limit signs and load zones will begin when they are installed
• SDOT will mail RPZ applications to eligible addresses starting in May
• Please return your application by June 1 to ensure that you receive your RPZ permits by early July
• SDOT will monitor how parking is working for two years after light rail opens
• More information on parking changes in light rail areas will be mailed to you soon

Additional Resources

Can I Park Here?

Business Parking Management Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Restricted Parking Zone Program

Community Parking Program

Common Parking Management Tools