Parking Monitoring Project

In the spring of 2023, the City of Kirkland began a parking monitoring program in downtown Kirkland and in two lots on Kirkland’s waterfront in order to better manage limited public parking supply and to provide parking information to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where will parking monitoring be located?

A: Parking sensors have been installed in the two City-owned parking lots downtown (the Lake and Central Lot and the Lakeshore Lot near Marina Park), in on-street parking stalls within the downtown core, and in two City-owned parking lots along Lake Washington Boulevard (Houghton Beach Park Lot and the Marsh Park Lot). NOTE: There are no parking sensors in the Peter Kirk Municipal Garage at this time.  

Q:  Why is the City collecting this data?

A:  To better understand parking utilization and turnover, to have a data-driven approach to managing the limited parking in downtown Kirkland, and to provide better information to the public.

Q: What type of technology is being used to track parking data?

A:  Parking data will be tracked through in-ground sensors using magnetometer technology.

Q: What data is collected?

A: The sensors will only record the presence of a vehicle in a parking space, along with how long the vehicle is in that space. It does NOT capture or record any personal information such as license plate information or images.

Q:  Where are the sensors located?

A:  The sensors are installed underground in the center of each parking space in the areas described above.

Q:  How is the City going to use the data that is collected?

A:  The data will be used to track parking utilization and turnover so that the City can make informed decisions about how to better manage limited parking resources and to inform the public about parking availability through online or mobile applications.