Parking meter increase, 1st hour free in city parking Decks: New City of Columbia Parking Ordinance

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– The City of Columbia is raising parking rates. This week council amended and approved the new parking rate ordinance.
Effective March 1, 2025, or leaders say, at a later date, the rate for on street parking will increase to $1.50 per hour.

Tickets will increase from $8.00 to $25.00
Parking permits will be available to hospitality workers as well as residential owners for $35 dollars per month.
Councilman Will Brennan says the additional funds will be used for infrastructure, maintenance, and repairs — specifically to aging parking decks.

According to the city, here are some of the new parking ordinances:

 ·         No enforcement for on-street parking on Saturdays (Except for the Five Points District)

·         City-wide on street parking enforcement from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

·         1^st hour free in all City of Columbia Parking decks

·         Hospitality rooftop-only parking for $35/month

·         On-street parking rate of $1.50/hourly

·         Various increases in fines for parking citations

·         Owner occupant residential permits of $30 per vehicle (24-month period)

·         Owner occupant visitor permit of $24 per vehicle (24-month period)