Paying for Metered Parking in Downtown Boise

Steve Nielsen
January 21, 2019
9:30 am

Like they say, “Knowing is half the battle”

You’re going to meet a client for coffee. You have lunch plans with your best friend. You and your significant other have scheduled a date night. Two things can help make these and any other outing in Downtown Boise successful: Figuring out where to go and knowing how much it costs paying for on-street parking. With the listings on our website of where to go and what to do, we have the first one covered; and with a little parking information from the City of Boise, we have the second one covered, too. It’s a win/win.

Downtown meters are separated into three zones. Each zone has a different parking rate and is identified by the color of stickers on the meters in that zone. Rates are as follows:

Zone 1

Premium parking, orange stickers. Monday-Friday: $2.00 for the first hour, $3.00 for the second hour (2 hours max). Saturday: $0.50 per hour (2 hours max)

Zone 2

Standard parking, pink stickers. Monday-Friday: $1.25 for the first hour, $2.00 for the second hour (2 hours max). Saturday: $0.50 per hour (2 hours max)

Zone 3

Value parking, aqua stickers. Monday-Friday: $0.50 for the 1st and second hour, $1.00 for the third and fourth hours (4 hours max)

All downtown meters accept credit and debit cards, Downtown Boise gift cards and coins. You can also pay using the Parkmobile App. Plus, according to the City of Boise website, “Boise is the only city in the country that offers 20 minutes free per parking session on all metered parking spaces.” Just push the indicated button on the meter to get your free 20 minutes before paying for parking.

Meter rates in Zones 1 and 2 are enforced Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; rates are enforced in Zone 3 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and parking in Zone 3 on Saturday is free.

One more important thing to know: Just like feeding the animals at the zoo, re-feeding meters past the posted time limit is prohibited. So keep your hands out of any cages, keep your eye on the time and go out and enjoy yourself. It’s a win/win/win!