It’s Back: Seasonal Parking Program Set to Begin on Memorial Day in Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Spa City’s seasonal parking program will make its return on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

During the program season, which will run through to Monday, Sept. 1, parking in city owned garages and surface lots will costs $2 per hour, or $12 for an overnight rate from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. On-street parking will remain free for all vehicles.

Saratoga Springs City residents are eligible for free parking permits. The city says those who registered in 2024 have been renewed in 2025. New to the program: permits for residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District, which can be purchased monthly or for the entire season at a discount.

The s inaugural program kicked off in 2024, with the city anticipating approximately $1.6 million in revenue minus an estimated $450,000 expenses and resulting in net gain of over $1.1 million. 

The program eventually got underway in mid-June and resulted in a net revenue of just over $130,000, officials announced in October. Overall, the program generated just over $275,000 with a project cost about $144,000 to implement the first year – nearly $124,000 of which was for the one-time purchase of equipment. 

“In the second year of the program both public safety and public works are prepared to improve on what they learned through implementation and I’m hoping for a successful program in 2025,” said Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll.

Newly minted DPW Commissioner Chuck Marshall expressed strong opposition to the paid parking plan during his campaign for the seat earlier this year in a citywide special election. Marshall, who was endorsed by the Republican Party, secured the seat by a narrow margin and at his swearing-in ceremony in March said while he remained opposed to paid parking measures in the city, it would be irresponsible to simply un-fund it as it already was present in the budget as city revenue, and its outright elimination would create an unbalanced budget.

 “I remain concerned about the impacts of paid parking on downtown businesses, but the City Council approved the program so it will be implemented this year,” Commissioner Marshall said in a statement this week. “Throughout the program I’ll be performing a thoughtful assessment to determine the full ramifications of paid parking.” 

Garages and surface lots owned by Saratoga Springs are included in the paid parking restrictions. This includes the multi-level parking garage on Woodlawn Avenue, the two-level garages one on Spring Street and the other on Walton Street, and the surface lots located at Spring Street and other High Rock Avenue. In each of these locations the hourly rate is $2, or $12 overnight.

Residents previously registered only need to update their vehicle information if it has changed (new license plate or vehicle). Those interested in obtaining a permit can access the portal through the City’s website to register: https://www.tocite.net/saratogaspringspd/portal/permit  or visit the Department of Public Works at City Hall, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. –  4 p.m., for assistance.

Taxpayers of the Saratoga Springs City School District (SSCSD) can apply for a monthly or season long permit. Monthly permits are: $35 for May and June, $45 for July, and $55 for August and September. The seasonal permit cost is $100 and must be purchased in May or June. Permits can be purchased through the portal on the city’s website.

Employees of businesses located downtown can obtain a free permit through their employer. The employer needs to register their fleet with the city and can email parking@saratoga-springs.org for more information. Businesses that previously registered their fleet will be reactivated and can apply a 2025 permit to their employees.

Note, the Saratoga Springs Public Library Lot located on Maple Avenue requires a separate free library permit that can be obtained at the front desk of the library.