Parking in Hoboken has never been an “easy” thing. In fact, if you have a car, you may have found throughout your time as a resident that it can sometimes be more of a pain than anything else. Between moving the vehicle to accommodate for street sweeping and trying to interpret cryptic parking signage, parking in the Mile Square can be a cause for a headache more than a convenience.
That being said, changes are coming to the Hoboken parking scene, as long as a new parking ordinance gets voted through. A new ordinance — Chapter 141A-2 —has been voted on and approved by Hoboken City Council earlier this week and passed its first reading. The ordinance raises the residential parking rate in Hoboken from 29 centers per week to a dollar per week — a total annual increase from $15 a year to $52 a year. What you need to know about these updates below.
All About the Residential Parking Rate Increase
Earlier this week, Hoboken City Council voted on and approved an ordinance in the first reading that raises the residential parking rate in Hoboken from $15 a year to $52 a year. At first reading, the council voted 6 to 2 to approve the ordinance. According to Hudson County View, 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos and 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo both voted no. Additionally, 1st Ward Councilman Michael DeFusco was not present for the vote.
The ordinance was introduced by Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, newly appointed Chair of Parking and Transportation.
“This has been a long talked about policy change to better price parking in Hoboken,” Councilwoman Fisher said. “People have different views, but given the demand for parking and the ongoing operational and capital needs of the city I believe that there is a need for an increase.”
Multiple cars in your household? For families with more than one car, the rate will increase from $30 a year to $104 a year for the second car. The third car will increase to $208 a year.
Please note: This must pass a second reading to be put into an ordinance, so if you’re not in agreement, there’s still time to share your thoughts with City Council.
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Why Increase the Residential Parking Rate?
Raising on-street parking rates is thought by some to reduce the amount of cars that utilize on-street parking. Since Hoboken has a finite amount of on-street parking spaces — only about 9,000 — parking in town has been tricky for years. But city officials are hoping that raising the residential parking rates will potentially dissuade many residents from keeping a car in town, therefore opening up more parking spaces for guests and tourists.
“Most cities in this region have similar population densities, density of retail and parking demand as Hoboken—and they have parking rates that are much, much higher,” Ryan Sharp, Hoboken’s Director of Parking and Transportation, told HMag.
Other council members also pointed out that Hoboken car owners haven’t experienced a gradual increase over time.
“I think had there been a gradual fee increase over the years we’d already be at $52, so I think the fact that the public has been underpaying for some time doesn’t mean we can’t raise it now,” said Councilman Jim Doyle.
When Does the Increase Take Effect?
The ordinance was voted into being on January 15th. Though it’s officially passed, that doesn’t mean the increase is in effect yet. No word yet as to when it will officially take effect.
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Other Changes to Parking Coming Up
An increase in the residential parking rate isn’t the only parking change coming up, Mile Square. The City is also pre-launching a beta test of its new Virtual Visitor Permit {VVP} parking system. The new system is designed to make obtaining parking permits easier — for both residents and guests.
The system is 100% online and features real-time activation so that users can get their permits faster and easier. Passes can be purchased from a computer, tablet, or smart phone.
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