Program Takes Effect Amid Software Problems
Sandpoint’s new paid parking program went live July 1, marking the start of a system designed to manage downtown congestion and generate municipal revenue. The city installed 43 parking kiosks across key downtown zones, including First and Second avenues, Cedar Street, portions of Third Avenue, Main Street, and Church Street.
The rollout stumbled immediately. A software error caused the kiosks to malfunction on day one, defaulting users to full-day parking rates instead of the intended two-hour free parking zones. City officials opted to issue warnings rather than citations during the first two weeks while technicians resolved the glitch.
Jason Welker, the city’s Planning and Community Development Director, acknowledged the problem in technical terms. “The kiosks are not working as designed. They should default to the minimum of free parking,” Welker said. “It’s not what was supposed to happen.” By afternoon on July 1, the city had manually corrected individual kiosks, with full software updates completed the same day.
Residents Question the Plan
About 20 residents gathered at the Third Avenue and Church Street parking lot at 4 p.m. on July 1 to protest the new fees. The demonstration reflected broader community concerns about the program’s implementation and the costs it would impose on local shoppers and workers.
City leadership had spent 18 months developing the program before the City Council voted to approve it in summer 2025. Mayor Jeremy Grimm, seeking to counter perceptions of hasty action, released a statement dated June 25 addressing residents. “The reason I’m here this morning is just to let you know that this is not a kneejerk reaction,” Grimm said. “This is something that the city’s been working on for well over a year and a half.”
Two days before the launch, Grimm and Welker held a presentation and question-and-answer session at the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association meeting at Marigold Bistro. Nearly 80 attendees heard details about the program and had an opportunity to air concerns.
Fee Structure and Permit Options
Downtown street parking in the two-hour zones remains free. Drivers who exceed the two-hour limit face charges of $4 per hour, with a maximum daily cost of $24 in those zones. A $50 parking violation ticket applies to non-compliance.
The city offers annual residential permits for $20 and non-resident permits for $35. Permit holders can park up to eight hours daily in city lots located at Third Avenue and Church Street, Bridge Street, City Beach, Dock Street Marina, and the Pend Oreille Bay Trail.
City officials characterized the paid parking system as necessary to address downtown congestion and provide stable funding for parking infrastructure and maintenance. The program now operates across multiple zones serving both residents and visitors to Sandpoint’s central business district.
What Comes Next
As the two-week warning period concludes, the city plans to begin issuing citations for parking violations. Officials will continue monitoring the kiosk systems for any remaining technical issues. The city may also hold additional community meetings to address ongoing concerns and clarify permit application procedures.