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Poulsbo council narrows approach to downtown parking: signage, employee lots and phased enforcement
Summary
Council received an update on implementing downtown parking changes: staff will refine signage and time limits with stakeholder input, secure employee parking agreements (113–150+ spaces), issue an RFQ to evaluate enforcement options, and aim for paid parking implementation in 2026.
Poulsbo staff told the council April 2 that downtown parking changes previously approved in principle remain on track but will roll out in stages: signage and time-limit changes this summer, secured employee parking through negotiated agreements, and enforcement to begin as a soft-touch pilot before any full-time program or paid-parking launch slated for 2026.
Heather (staff) said the city has identified more than 100 employee parking spaces across four potential locations and is negotiating with Gateway for a possible additional 150 spaces. “We can only guarantee the ones that we have, but we feel pretty confident we can get some secured agreements in place,” she said. The staff recommended a small stakeholder advisory group (including HDPA representatives) to advise on 15–30 minute stop-and-go spaces and handicap-parking placement.
On enforcement, staff proposed issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) to obtain refined cost estimates for part-time, soft-touch enforcement and a full enforcement program. Several council members urged starting with a light-touch approach while the city refines costs and options; the police chief said he would provide historical citation data and return with a towing proposal if overnight parking persists. Council and staff emphasized that paid parking is still targeted for summer 2026, with enforcement and employee-parking agreements as near-term tasks.
Next steps: staff to form the stakeholder group, continue negotiations for employee parking, issue the RFQ for enforcement options and return to the council with cost estimates and a recommendation.
