San Rafael Meters Getting a Charge

The days of scrounging for change to feed downtown San Rafael parking meters are about to end.

Starting next year, parking meters on the city’s busiest streets will take plastic.

The approximately $750,000 parking meter retrofit cost will be passed on to motorists who’ll see a 50 percent spike in metered rates. City officials say it’s the first meter hike since 2007.

The City Council on Monday in a 4-1 vote approved a resolution authorizing the new meters and rate hike. Kate Colin was the lone dissenter.

The new meters will be installed in the downtown area on Fourth Street and adjacent streets, San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips said.

“It’s a convenience more than anything for downtown shoppers,” Phillips said.

Phillips acknowledged that not everyone will be happy with the rate increase, but said most will appreciate an easier way to avoid $35 parking tickets. Phillips said he just got one a few weeks ago. 

“It sounds like a big increase but I don’t think most people think in terms of the percent in this case,” he said. “This is such a small base, I don’t think most people don’t think in those terms.”

The new parking meter resolution has the blessings of the city’s Business Improvement District and Chamber of Commerce, Phillips said.

The new parking meters could be up and running as soon as Jan. 1.

The meter rates won’t increase until all the new meters are installed, Phillips said.