Parking permits are ideal for drivers who need a place to routinely park in the downtown and Fairhaven business districts. Parking spots are available for much less than the daily meter rate.
Parking Permit Price Changes Effective Feb. 1, 2023
In December 2022, City Council approved changes to parking permit prices for City lots and garages. Permit prices for more heavily used parking lots have increased while the cost of those less heavily have decreased. These changes went into effect February 1, 2023:
- Decreased cost of Commercial Street Garage monthly permit for floors 2-5 from $70 to $30, with permit required to park from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday;
- Decreased permit price for North Railroad Avenue (1500 block) parking from $45 to $25 per month, with permit required at all times;
- Increased parking permit cost for Railroad Ave Garage (1215 Railroad) from $70 to $80 per month on floor two and from $95 to $105 monthly at the street level;
- Increased permit cost for Central Avenue Lot (near Prospect Street post office) from $65 to $75 monthly, with permits required 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Downtown Permit Locations and Rates
Fairhaven Permit Locations and Rates
Apply for a New Parking Permit
- In person at the Finance Department in City Hall at 210 Lottie Street,
Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM - Via the Online Customer Portal
- Parking Permit Terms (PDF)
Learn more about parking permits.
Pay For Existing Parking Permit Fee
- Via the Online Customer Portal.
- In person at the Finance Office in City Hall.
- Mail a check; please reference your customer number.
Update Current Parking Permit
Make permanent or temporary changes to your vehicle or contact information:
- Via the Online Customer Portal.
- If you do not have customer portal access, email parksmart@cob.org with your name, permit or customer number if known, the vehicle license plate number, and vehicle description. Please let us know whether this is a permanent or temporary vehicle change. If temporary, include how long you will be parking this vehicle. We will update your permit record in the parking system so the vehicle will register as being permitted.
- In person at City Hall.
Residential Parking Permits
A residential parking zone has been established for certain streets within Bellingham city limits. To find out if your street is included in any of the zones, review the residential parking zone section of the Municipal Code for a list of the streets and rules governing the residential parking zones within the City. Residential Parking Permits are provided at no cost to residents within the parking zones.
- Residential Parking Zone Permit Requests
- Residential Parking Zone Permit Terms (PDF)
- Residential Parking Zones (PDF)
Commercial Parking Permits
The City of Bellingham offers Commercial Parking Permits (formerly “Mechanics Vehicle Permits”). This allows in-home healthcare providers, contractors, and other tradespeople who frequently work downtown or Fairhaven to park without paying meter or pay station fees while performing work.
- Cost: $250 per year per permit. Rate covers January through December and is not prorated. Can submit one application for multiple permits.
- Permit can be shared by vehicles with the same company signage. Signage is to be permanent.
- Virtual permits are used, meaning hangtags are not needed. Vehicle license plates are scanned to confirm permits.
- Terms of use are on the permit application.
- Purchase a permit from Parking Services in the Finance Department at City Hall, 210 Lottie St., in person or by mailing a completed application and check payable to the:
- City of Bellingham
Finance Department
210 Lottie Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
- City of Bellingham
Low-Income Discount Permit Parking
The City of Bellingham offers an 80% reduction for full-time residents of subsidized low-income housing located within a parking management zone that is eligible for the utility discount established in BMC 15.04.070(C), subject to a limit of one discounted permit per household per permit period.
Questions?
Contact City of Bellingham Parking Services at (360) 778-7780 or parksmart@cob.org. We are located in the Finance Office of City Hall at 210 Lottie Street.
