The Columbia City Council approved changes to the city’s parking rate ordinance during its December 4 meeting, following months of discussions with citizens, hospitality districts, and other stakeholders. The updated rates aim to reinvest revenue into Columbia’s parking system, focusing on infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and enhanced customer experience.
City leaders emphasized that these changes will support immediate and long-term projects to improve operations, aesthetics, and innovation within the parking system. Key updates in the ordinance include:
- No on-street parking enforcement on Saturdays, except in the Five Points District.
- Enforcement hours for on-street parking: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- First hour free in all City of Columbia parking decks.
- Hospitality rooftop-only parking available for $35 per month.
- On-street parking rates set at $1.50 per hour.
- Increased fines for parking violations.
- Residential parking permits for $30 per vehicle (valid for 24 months).
- Visitor permits for $24 per vehicle (valid for 24 months).
The changes will take effect on March 1 or later to give city staff sufficient time to educate citizens and businesses about the updates.
These adjustments reflect Columbia’s commitment to creating a more efficient and user-friendly parking experience for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
