DC parking meter rates changing in Chinatown and Penn Quarter neighborhoods

WASHINGTON - The rates for parking meters in the Penn Quarter and Chinatown areas of Washington D.C. are being adjusted to a demand-based pricing system. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) says this pilot program will begin on Oct. 17.

All on-street metered parking spaces within the area bounded between 11th Street, NW and 3rd Street NW and between E Street, NW and 11th Street, NW will be affected, according to DDOT.

Currently, the parking meters located in these neighborhoods are $2.30 per hour. But when this program goes into effect, the rate for the meters at certain areas may increase to $2.75 per hour, decrease to $2.00 an hour or stay the same based on the day and time.

The meter rates will change based on three time periods on weekdays:

- 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On Saturday, the rate at the meters will remain the same all day.

"Meter rates are being adjusted to ensure that more on-street parking spaces are available by balancing parking demand across the pilot study area," DDOT said on its website. "Parking meter rates for blocks with high demand will likely increase while rates for blocks with low demand will likely decrease. The objective is to increase the availability of on-street parking and reduce occurrences of double-parking and 'circling the block.'"

DDOT says parking meter rates are adjusted every three months and the next adjustment is scheduled to be in January.

Blue: No price change ($2.30/hour); Green: Price decrease ($2.00/hour); Yellow: Price increase ($2.75/hour)