Did you know there are several new, enhanced, and existing programs available for downtown Tacoma parking? From shared parking accounts to regular parking permits, there’s an option that is right for you.  

Paying for Parking Just Got Easier with Flowbird

Through the Flowbird Mobile Payment App, you can pay for parking, under posted time limits, with an iPhone or Android device. The app can be used for both on-street paid parking as well as at participating paid lots around the city. Download today at cityoftacoma.org/parking.

Contact Republic Parking Northwest at (253) 627-4401, or walk-in at 942 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma, from 8 AM to 1 PM, Monday through Friday, or email clientservicestacoma@reefparking.com. 

Monthly Permit & Alternative to Permit Parking Options: NEW in 2022!

This program allows a group of people to “share” a monthly permit through a digital code processed in the Flowbird Mobile Payment App. Shared permits can be used in a public parking area on a first-come/first-served basis and allow customers in and out parking privileges for the specified location 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A Few Days a Week Parking Permit: (For individuals who buy a monthly parking pass and are now telecommuting 2-3 days per week).

This program allows someone to purchase a designated number of “uses” per month rather than a monthly parking permit. Daily rates for these parking permits are at a discounted rate.  The specific number of uses are programmed and redeemed through a digital code process in the Flowbird Mobile Payment App. Once the number of purchased validations are used, the code will no longer work until more are purchased. Limited use permits can be used in a public parking area on a first-come/first-served basis and allow customers in and out parking privileges for the specified location 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Regular Permit Parking: A month-to-month or long-term contract for parking at a specific facility. This permit is good for parking on a first-come/first-served basis and allows customers in and out parking privileges for the specified location 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parking permits are typically valid from the first day to the last day of the month. Permits can be purchased by an individual or in large quantities by a business.

Off-Peak Permit Parking: Certain parking facilities have the option for customers who may need night or weekend access only. This permit is valid only for evenings and weekends at specific locations at a discounted rate. The permit includes in and out parking privileges for the specified location on nights, weekends, and holidays.

Reserved Parking: For certain parking facilities, leasing a designated stall or entire zone on a month-to-month or long-term contract may be available. Reserved stall arrangements are limited and may not be available in all locations. This option is more costly than permit parking within the same facility.

Vanpool Permits: This program is available for public transit agency registered vanpool account holders and provides a standard monthly parking permit at no cost at certain City parking locations. Vanpool permits are assigned to a specific registered vehicle and may not be used for personal vehicles unless prior arrangements are made with management.

Validation Options for Commercial Businesses

Parking validations accounts provide the opportunity for businesses to cover a portion of or all of the cost of parking for their customers and employees. Validation encourages customers to park closer to where they are shopping or doing business as doing so will give them an opportunity for discounted or free parking.  

Easy Employee Validation: (For fleet managers who want to provide a convenient parking validation process for employees who utilize multiple, different facilities throughout a workweek.)

This option allows a business to manage the company's parking payments for multiple vehicles through a single account. Account setup is done entirely through the Flowbird Mobile Payment App and website. A fleet management account allows each authorized employee to validate their parking session as long as the vehicle is pre-approved. This type of account works with any Flowbird supported site and requires no long-term commitment. Charges are based on the posted rates. Payments are processed at the time of purchase, so a credit card on file is required. Fleet Management accounts are separate from regular Flowbird Mobile accounts and require a fleet management-specific account. 

Enhanced Validation Options (VRS – Vehicle Registration System): An enhancement to the current VRS validation program allows corporate users to validate for their employees, accrue parking charges, and be billed every month for the accumulated amount on each license plate. VRS can be accessed through a website with valid credentials where an administrator validates employees or guests from a central computer or tablet. The enhancement will put a ceiling on the costs associated with the accrued amount per month equal to the monthly parking rate for the facility. 

An enhancement to the current Single Day Event Coupon Code validation program. This enhancement allows corporate users to validate their employees' parking, accrue parking charges, and be billed monthly for the accrued amount. The employees or guests would redeem the validation via the coupon code in the Flowbird App. This solution is flexible and can support businesses who want to establish an individual code for single employee use or multiple codes to track multiple users. The enhancement will put a ceiling on the costs associated with license plates for the accrued amount per month equivalent to the monthly parking rate for the facility.