Sioux Falls announces changes to downtown parking — including paid parking on Saturdays

Several changes are coming to downtown parking beginning in May, including now having to pay to park on Saturdays.

Starting May 1, parking enforcement will be done from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday as it is Monday through Friday.

You’ll also be able to pay for parking using a credit card anywhere downtown from your mobile phone.

Each meter will have a code depending on its location. Drivers will text the one-word code to 25023 and be sent a link to a secure webpage to pay for parking using their credit card. A 45-cent convenience fee to use this mobile option is shown and included during the online transaction. Drivers will still have the choice to pay for meters using coins as well.

That’s the same system that began last month at The Steel District downtown.

Parking in ramps and lots will remain free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.

“The capability to pay for parking from your phone is a simple, convenient option that users have been inquiring about for years,” said Matt Nelson, public parking manager for the city of Sioux Falls. “As downtown continues to evolve, it’s important our public parking system grows with it.”

The change in parking enforcement was made following encouragement from Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.

It’s “an economic development tool,” CEO Brandon Hanson said, adding that his membership “overwhelmingly” supports the change.

“We have parking data from other cities, success stories, research agencies  … that talk about over and over again that an actively managed parking system supports businesses and leads to strong business performance every time.”

The data shows that each parking spot has the potential to provide an additional $20,000 in annual revenue for small businesses if it’s turned over more than five times in a day, he said.

“Each enhancement starting May 1 ultimately supports that,” Hanson said, adding that the changes will encourage turnover of parking space and foot traffic for businesses “who desperately need it.”

Also on May 1, the city’s extended vehicle ordinance will begin. The law change was sponsored by City Council member Jennifer Sigette last fall.

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It requires vehicles to leave 10 feet of clearance between the back of their car and the center yellow line.

The ordinance affects 142 on-street parking spaces between Ninth and 13th Streets on Phillips Avenue. If the weather cooperates Sunday night, a white line will be painted along the back of the parallel parking spots in the affected area to prepare for enforcement of the ordinance. Signage will be posted on each meter informing drivers not to park in the area after 7 p.m. Sunday to allow the painting to occur.

“Implementing this ordinance is simply to keep Phillips Avenue safe. With over 4,000 public parking spaces downtown, this ordinance only affects a very small portion of on-street parking spaces in a busy part of our downtown,” Sigette said in a statement. “Downtown is such a special part of our community. It’s critical we take steps to ensure its continued vibrancy.”

For additional details and a map of public parking throughout downtown Sioux Falls, visit siouxfalls.gov/parking.

Text-to-park system begins at The Steel District as part of larger downtown rollout