Parking meter enforcement gets tougher in downtown Spokane

Downtown visitors should be prepared today to pay more attention to where and when they park, or face additional fines.

After a two-month grace period, tougher enforcement of Spokane’s downtown parking laws go into effect July 1. That includes adhering to the time limit posted on a meter, and moving off the block where you park if you’ve stayed the maximum amount of time. Failure to do so could earn you a fine of $15 to $30.

The Spokane City Council passed a resolution last year authorizing the beefed-up enforcement, which includes the use of license plate readers. An advisory group, made up of representatives of downtown and City Hall, are expected to propose additional changes to the city’s parking rules at the end of this year.

Motorists must plug Spokane’s meters Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Meters don’t have to be plugged Tuesday for the Fourth of July holiday.