Apply for a Downtown Employee Parking Permit

NOTICE: Changes are coming to the DEP program!

The City of Kirkland will be updating our DEP permit management system by teaming with HotSpot to better manage your permits. Here is what you need to know:

  • There will be a new on-line application process.
  • If you are a current permit holder
    • please expect a future email from HotSpot with directions for you to set-up your account.
    • you will not be required to change your current permit window decal until it needs the annual replacement. 

Stay tuned to this webpage for upcoming changes.

To help ensure that Downtown Kirkland visitors and customers have the best parking options in downtown Kirkland, employees of downtown businesses are encouraged to park in designated areas managed by the City. Participation in the Downtown Employee Parking Program is free.

Employees who work for businesses in the central business district of downtown Kirkland and choose to participate in the program need to register their vehicles and receive a permit sticker from City Hall. 

Your permit allows you to park in these designated areas:

  • Peter Kirk Municipal Garage – in signed "Permit Parking Only" stalls (lower level of garage)
  • Wester Lot at 120 3rd Ave (near city hall)
  • Lake Ave W. – where signed "Except By Permit"

While the Wester lot and Lake Ave W. are available 24 hours a day, the Municipal Garage closes and locks at midnight every night and reopens daily at 5 a.m. No after-hours vehicle retrieval is available.

 

Employees of businesses located in the white highlighted area on the map are eligible to participate in the program. Any employees of businesses outside of this area are not eligible.

Online

Step 1.Make sure you're eligible

Employees that qualify for this program must work in the central business district, as defined by Downtown Employee Parking Program for Central Business District(PDF, 256KB).

Downtown Employee Parking program limits map

Step 2.Get approval from your manager

The form will need to be signed by your manager to get approved. 
Your employer must have a valid City business license and verify your employment on the registration form with their signature.

Step 3.Complete your online application

As a downtown employee, you may register up to two vehicles. All vehicle information including license plate number is required.

 

Step 4.We'll get back to you

When your form is received it will be processed and the new permit stickers will be mailed to the address listed under Employee Information. If you would like the permit stickers mailed to a different address, please add a note to the form or email.

Place the permit sticker on the driver's side rear window. If the rear window is heavily tinted and hinders the visibility of the permit sticker, the alternate location is the driver's side front windshield.

Email

Step 1.Make sure you're eligible

Employees that qualify for this program must work in the central business district, as defined by Downtown Employee Parking Program for Central Business District(PDF, 256KB).

Downtown-Employee-Parking-thumbnail-2.jpg

Step 2.Get approval from your manager

The form will need to be signed by your manager to get approved. 
Your employer must have a valid City business license and verify your employment on the registration form with their signature.

Step 3.Print the PDF application

As a downtown employee, you may register up to two vehicles. All vehicle information including license plate number is required.

Print Application for Your Parking Permit(PDF, 948KB)

Step 4.Email your application

Email it to parking@kirklandwa.gov.

Step 5.We'll get back to you

When your form is received it will be processed and the new permit stickers will be mailed to the address listed under Employee Information. If you would like the permit stickers mailed to a different address, please add a note to the form or email.

Place the permit sticker on the driver's side rear window. If the rear window is heavily tinted and hinders the visibility of the permit sticker, the alternate location is the driver's side front windshield.

Mail

Step 1.Make sure you're eligible

Employees that qualify for this program must work in the central business district, as defined by Downtown Employee Parking Program for Central Business District(PDF, 256KB).

Downtown-Employee-Parking-thumbnail-2.jpg

Step 2.Get approval from your manager

The form will need to be signed by your manager to get approved. 
Your employer must have a valid City business license and verify your employment on the registration form with their signature.

Step 3.Print the PDF application

As a downtown employee, you may register up to two vehicles. All vehicle information including license plate number is required.

Print Application for Your Parking Permit(PDF, 948KB)

Step 4.Mail your application

Mail your complete application to:

Kirkland City Hall
C/O David Gourlie
123 5th Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033

Step 5.We'll get back to you

When your form is received it will be processed and the new permit stickers will be mailed to the address listed under Employee Information. If you would like the permit stickers mailed to a different address, please add a note to the form or email.

Place the permit sticker on the driver's side rear window. If the rear window is heavily tinted and hinders the visibility of the permit sticker, the alternate location is the driver's side front windshield.

In Person

Step 1.Make sure you're eligible

Employees that qualify for this program must work in the central business district, as defined by Downtown Employee Parking Program for Central Business District(PDF, 256KB).

Downtown-Employee-Parking-thumbnail-2.jpg

Step 2.Get approval from your manager

The form will need to be signed by your manager to get approved. 
Your employer must have a valid City business license and verify your employment on the registration form with their signature.

Step 3.Print the PDF application

As a downtown employee, you may register up to two vehicles. All vehicle information including license plate number is required.

Print Application for Your Parking Permit(PDF, 948KB)

Step 4.Deliver your application to Kirkland City Hall

Visit the Public Works counter at Kirkland City Hall.  Please turn in your completed form to the Public Works permit tech at the counter.

Step 5.We'll get back to you

When your form is received it will be processed and the new permit stickers will be handed to you along with an information sheet.  The info sheet lists the rules of the program and a map of the employee parking locations.

Place the permit sticker on the driver's side rear window. If the rear window is heavily tinted and hinders the visibility of the permit sticker, the alternate location is the driver's side front windshield.

 Reminders:

  • Participating in the program provides free parking for downtown employees in designated areas. Parking is on a first come, first served basis and is not guaranteed.
  • The Central Business District of downtown Kirkland is defined by Kirkland Municipal Code 12.45.010(1).
  • Per Kirkland Municipal Code 12.45.250, downtown employees are not allowed to park in areas not designated for employee parking. These areas include the Lake & Central public pay parking lot and the Lakeshore Plaza public pay parking lot.
  • The parking permit expires one year from the date of issuance. The employee is responsible for renewing their parking with a new registration form and permit each year.
  • If registering two vehicles only one vehicle can be parked in a downtown employee designated area at a time. If two members of a household share the same vehicles it is recommended that they register the vehicles separately. 
  • The employee is responsible for updating the information for registered vehicles if the information changes.
  • Permits can be used once received. A confirmation email will be sent within two weeks to acknowledge your registration in the program.

Contact Us

David Gourlie
Transportation Engineering Analyst
425-587-3867 

Important Parking Information

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