The City of Sandpoint will launch its new online parking and boat launch permit portal on Monday, June 8, at 9:00 a.m., marking the next step in implementation of the City’s Downtown Parking Management Plan.
Beginning June 8, residents and visitors may purchase annual parking permits and seasonal boat launch permits online at sandpoint.thepermitportal.com
The City’s new paid parking program will officially begin July 1 and is designed to improve parking availability in Sandpoint’s busiest downtown and waterfront areas while creating a sustainable funding source for the maintenance and improvement of public parking facilities.
Under the new system, City-owned parking lots in the downtown and waterfront areas—including the Third and Church lot, Bridge Street lot, City Beach, Dock Street Marina lot, and Pend Oreille Bay Trail lot—will require either a valid permit or payment of an hourly parking fee.
To ensure affordable access for local residents, the City is offering annual permits for just $20 for City of Sandpoint residents and $35 for Bonner County residents. Resident permit holders will receive up to eight hours of free parking per day in participating City-owned lots.
“Sandpoint taxpayers have paid to build, operate, and maintain these facilities for decades,” said Mayor Jeremy Grimm. “The reality is that many of these facilities have suffered from decades of deferred maintenance and underinvestment, while visitor use has continued to increase. This program helps ensure that the people who benefit from our parking lots, waterfront facilities, boat launches, and beaches contribute to their upkeep while keeping access affordable for local residents.”
The City emphasized that the majority of public parking in Sandpoint will remain free. Of approximately 1,500 public parking spaces downtown and along the waterfront, more than 1,000 spaces will continue to be available without permits or payment requirements.
Beginning July 1, seasonal boat launch permits will also be required for unlimited use of the City Beach and War Memorial Field boat launches. Users without permits may pay a $10 daily launch fee.
The parking management plan was developed following a parking study that identified significant parking shortages during peak periods, particularly at City Beach and in portions of downtown. The study found that many prime downtown spaces were occupied for extended periods, reducing availability for customers, residents, and visitors.
Revenue generated through the parking program will, in part, be used to maintain and improve City-owned parking facilities and related infrastructure, including future improvements at City Beach and other waterfront access areas.
“Idaho cities have been asked to do more with less,” Grimm said. “State law limits annual property tax budget growth to three percent per year, while costs for healthcare, public safety, construction materials, equipment, and infrastructure maintenance continue to rise well beyond that rate. As a result, cities are increasingly challenged to maintain the public assets residents expect. This program creates a dedicated user-supported revenue source that helps preserve critical community infrastructure without placing the full burden on local taxpayers.”
Additional information about permits, rates, maps, and frequently asked questions is available at www.sandpointidaho.gov/parking.