Parking meters in St. Paul free on Saturday, then comes a rate hike

All parking meters in St. Paul will be free on Saturday. That's the good news. Starting Monday it will cost you more to feed the meter. That's the bad news.

The city's Public Works Department will be resetting meters citywide on Saturday to accommodate a new fee structure and expanded hours of enforcement that go into effect Monday.

The transition to the new rates and hours includes the implementation of event parking rates in the downtown area. While meters are being reset, the city will suspend parking fees for a day, Saturday.

"Our team is going to work as quickly as possible to transition our pay stations to the new hours and rates," said Public Works Director Kathy Lantry. "This work will create inconsistent hours and rates across the city, so we are going to suspend enforcement for the day."

Starting Monday, here are the rates and hours meters in the Capitol city will be in effect:

Meters will be enforced from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays remain free.

Standard meter rates will be $2 an hour between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and $1 an hour between 6 and 10 p.m. Some corridors where parking demand is not as great will have reduced rates.

Motorists will find higher rates during certain events. Meters in the Xcel Energy Center Event Parking Zone (shown in red on map below) will be $3.75 an hour. Meters in the CHS Field Event Parking Zone (shown in blue on the map below) will be $2.50 an hour.

All meters will continue to be free on the following holidays:

For updates on Saint Paul's metered parking policy visit: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/traffic-lighting/parking/metered-parking