Bad news for locals – starting Monday, October 13, parking is getting pricier in Downtown Las Vegas and the Arts District. This is the first rate hike the city’s made in 6 years. Yet, it comes as quite a shock to locals, as the city has already seen a decrease in tourism this year.
Parking rates increase in Vegas
According to city officials, on-street metered parking will jump by $1 an hour, bringing rates to $2–$4 per hour, depending on where you park.
The city’s public surface lots downtown (actually owned by various property owners) will see a similar bump. They’ll now run $2–$6 per hour.
If you park regularly in city garages or have a monthly permit, you’ll notice a small adjustment, too. Those new rates will only kick in with the November billing cycle.
Why the change?
The city says the increase comes after a full market-rate analysis, claiming that even with the new prices, Las Vegas will still be cheaper than most major cities. For comparison, on-street parking in Los Angeles averages around $4.25 an hour, while Sacramento is about $3.50.
So where does the money go? Officials say that the added revenue will help keep the Parking Enterprise Fund healthy. Through this fund, parking infrastructure in the city is maintained and improved . Operational costs have gone up since the last rate change, and the city says the new pricing will help cover those expenses.
The silver lining
It’s not all bad news! The Arts District will have an upgraded free Lunch Spot parking program. Starting Monday, locals get an extra free hour – so the program will now run from 11 AM to 2 PM. Monday through Friday, you can still snag a free space to grab lunch or browse the neighborhood.