Columbia Parking Changes

Columbia’s parking utility will soon implement some new changes. At a recommendation from the city’s parking task force, workers will soon color code parking meters in the downtown area to signify the maximum amount of time each meter will allow. They aim to make it easier for drivers to identify the time allotment for a given parking spot at a glance, from a distance. As whether permits, parking staff will paint the domes of all meters in the downtown area, with the goal of finishing by August 1. The following colors correspond to maximum times: * 10-hour meters — green * 5-hour meters — orange * 4-hour meters — purple * 2-hour meters — grey * 1-hour meters — red * 24-minute meters — yellowColumbia Public Works encourages people to consider purchasing an EZ Park Debit card which work with all meters in downtown Columbia. Those cards are available at the Columbia Public Works office on the third floor of City Hall, 701 East Broadway. The city will also begin piloting a permit program, intended to alleviate parking issues in Columbia’s North Village neighborhood, which will be evaluated for future viability. City council members approved a six-month test run of the residential parking by permit only (RPPO) project in the neighborhood bordering the downtown special business district. Owners or renters of homes in the area established by Ordinance 14-313 who would like to park along the street in designated locations, may apply for and receive a special parking permit from the Columbia Public Works Department. Applicants should bring proof of residency such as a copy of your lease, recent utility bill in the name of the applicant, or other verifiable proof of residency.Timeline for the Pilot RPPO Project: * February 11-12 — Signs placed indicating the areas along Saint Joseph Street, Saint James St, Hubbell Drive and Ash Street designated as RPPO parking stalls. Eligible permit holders may park in those spaces after obtaining a permit. * February 11 — Meters will be installed along certain areas of Saint Joseph Street and Saint James Street. * February 11-19 — Enforcement will consist of warnings. * February 20 — Full enforcement of permit and metered parking will begin.Each residential unit within the RPPO area may obtain a maximum of two permits, at no cost, by completing an application form. Permits will only be valid for the vehicle to which it is assigned, and the permit must be displayed properly, per instructions on the permit application form. The parking permit does not allow permit holders to park in a metered space without feeding the meter via coin or EZ Park Card. The RPPO program aims to help alleviate parking issues within the North Village neighborhood.