
Downtown Waterloo Parking Rates Might Rise by 150%
It's about to get more expensive for people to go to downtown Waterloo.
On Monday, February 3rd officials from the Waterloo City Council came to a consensus after a year's worth of deliberation.
There is a very strong chance that the price to park in the downtown district of the city will be going up, according to a report from the Waterloo Courier.

Cost of Parking Downtown in Various Cities In Eastern Iowa
Waterloo isn't the first city to attempt to increase the cost of parking in their downtown district.
Iowa City Parking Rates
According to a report, Iowa City parking rates went up for the first time in over ten years in July of 2024.
The Director of Transportation Services for Iowa City confirmed that the current rates for parking are:
Downtown Iowa City: $2.25 per hour for metered street parking in the Central Business District (CBD)
Near-Downtown areas: $1.50 per hour for metered parking
Cedar Falls Parking Rates
In Cedar Falls, locals can park in the historic downtown district for free every single day. This includes fifteen minute, two hour, three hour, four hour, and overnight parking from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday.
Cedar Rapids Parking Rates
While not as expensive as Iowa City, Cedar Rapids is still a bit higher than other towns/cities in Eastern Iowa.
Two hour metered parking is enforced Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the City of Five Seasons.
The going rate to park in Downtown Cedar Rapids is $1.50 per hour.
What is the Current Cost of Parking in Waterloo, Iowa?
Nowadays, it's relatively easy to pay your parking meter. The city of Waterloo uses the Passport Parking App for these transactions, and parking services are provided by Republic Parking. You can get it for free in your app store.
I went and downloaded the app, so I could break down the current parking prices for you.
So, to park in Downtown Waterloo, it costs about $0.25 per every hour and fifteen minutes.
It's $0.40 for a two hour parking session. In most of the Downtown district, there is a two hour parking limit, so you'll have a brand new transaction every time. With every single session, the user is charged a $0.25 convenience fee.
For some parking areas in this region, four hour parking is permitted on the app.
Taking this into account, the total cost to park in this part of Waterloo is approximately $0.65 for two hours or $1.05 for four hours.
This is approximately $0.33 per hour.
Waterloo Downtown Parking Ups Cost For Locals
Once the new parking price goes into effect, the rate will increase to $1 per hour, representing a 150% increase for an individual parking session.
Other Changes Coming to Waterloo Downtown Parking
According to reports, the proposal keeps the enforcement days and times the same.
Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
In addition, the city also offers "grab and go" spots for people who only need a spot for fifteen minutes as they drop into businesses. These will remain free to the public.
When Will the Cost of Parking Go Up in Downtown Waterloo?
It's not going to change overnight, according to reports.
First, the change has not even been officially approved yet. The decision will be put to a vote at the next regular Waterloo City Council session. Based off of the vibes at the work session on Monday, it looks like it will be approved.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 17th.
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