The new parking space numbers being stenciled in at Lot #1 last month
July 6, 2010 may not be a national holiday but it marks a big change for drivers in Sausalito. Today marks the rollout of the new automated parking systems in the City, which will gradually replace the human attendants at city lots. For now, the attendants remain on duty to help us all adjust to the new system.
Some City lots used to charge for parking 24 hours a day, while others had location-specific schedules. The new systems all have the same hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM each day. On-street meters continue to operate 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The new parking payment machines, like the one shown at left on display in City Hall, will take credit cards, debit cards and coins. Soon you'll even be able to extend your parking time from your cell phone, but that part of the service has not yet been activated.
Sensors in the pavement (see photo below) detect when cars park and leave their spaces. Drivers then go to the machines, enter their space number, and pre-pay for the desired amount of time.
City lots cost from $3,00 an hour (Lots #1 and #2 near the Ferry pier) to $2.00 per hour (Lot #3, across from Casa Madrona) and $1.00 per hour (Lot #4, with some non-reserved spaces behind Taste of Rome.)
Parking plans that allow residents to park for free for up to three hours and offer discounted rates to people who work in downtown Sausalito remain in effect. Residents should have received a special hang tag in the mail, and if you did not get yours you can go to the parking booth near Lot #2 with proof of residency and get one.
For additional information, check out our Parking in Sausalito reference page.
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