RPZ 9 in Magnolia: Removal of Parking Restrictions
Updated October 2026
After collecting parking data and taking public comments, we are removing RPZ 9 in the South Magnolia areain the beginning of 2027, after the current permit expiration. Residents will no longer need to purchase RPZ permits for their vehicles or guest vehicles in order to park on public streets.
Background:
The Magnolia RPZ (Zone 9) was created almost 40 years ago and is one of the smallest zones in the city. RPZ 9 parking signs restrict parking on 30 blockfaces in south Magnolia just north of W Galer Street.
RPZ 9 signs restrict parking to 4 hours, Monday through Saturday, 7 AM to 6 PM, unless a vehicle has a Zone 9 RPZ permit. Only residents who live within Zone 9 may purchase permits.
The dark blue lines in the map above show the 30 different blockfaces that have RPZ 9 signs in the south Magnolia neighborhood.
Reasons for Removing RPZ 9:
- RPZs are best used to reduce all-day commuter parking near large commuting centers, like universities or light rail stations. This area is not a large commuting center. We collected data that confirms parking is widely available within and just outside the zone. (See more about the parking study below.)
- This zone meets the Seattle Municipal Code criteria for removing a zone. There are currently only 23 permits issued to 12 households for the entire zone.
- Removing the zone means that residents will no longer need to purchase permits for their vehicles or guest vehicles.
Parking Study
In January 2026, we studied parking occupancy on RPZ 9-signed blockfaces, as well as surrounding unrestricted blockfaces to better understand street parking availability both within and just outside the zone on a typical weekday. We observed and collected parking occupancy data on 74 blockfaces during three separate times of day: morning, midday, and evening. According to the study, parking is less than 50% occupied on both RPZ-signed streets and just outside the RPZ, suggesting that the RPZ restrictions are likely unneeded.
| Time of Day | Parking Occupancy on RPZ-signed Blockfaces | Parking Occupancy on Unrestricted Blockfaces |
| 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | 30% | 44% |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | 24% | 41% |
| 6:00 PM - 8: 00 PM | 29% |
37% |
To view the study's parking occupancy at a blockface level, please click on the links below:
This maps shows the results of the parking occupancy study of the Magnolia RPZ 9 area for the morning hours between 9 AM and 11 AM. The map shows the 74 blockfaces that were studied, 30 within the RPZ and 44 just outside the RPZ. Most blockfaces in the area, both with RPZ signs and without, were less that 50% full. Five blockfaces with RPZ signs and six blockfaces without signs were more than 90% full.
This maps shows the results of the parking occupancy study of the Magnolia RPZ 9 area for the midday hours between 1 PM and 3 PM. The map shows the 74 blockfaces that were studied, 30 within the RPZ and 44 just outside the RPZ. Most blockfaces in the area, both with RPZ signs and without, were less that 50% full. Six blockfaces with RPZ signs and three blockfaces without signs were more than 90% full.
This maps shows the results of the parking occupancy study of the Magnolia RPZ 9 area for the evening hours between 6 PM and 8 PM. The map shows the 74 blockfaces that were studied, 30 within the RPZ and 44 just outside the RPZ. Most blockfaces in the area, both with RPZ signs and without, were less that 50% full. One blockface with RPZ signs (and none without signs) were more than 90% full.
Our Plan
- We are removing the RPZ parking signs from Zone 9 at the beginning of 2027 following the current permit cycle.
- Current RPZ-signed streets will become unrestricted parking like surrounding streets, and RPZ permits would no longer be needed by residents or guests.
Timeline
| June 2026 | Sent mailing to area residents and shared proposed plan with community |
| July 8, 2026 | Held online public hearing: Magnolia Restricted Parking Zone hearing |
| October 2026 | Issue Notice of Decision. |
| January - February 2027 | Remove RPZ parking signs after the completion of the current RPZ 9 permit expiration |
Questions?
For questions about this plan, you can email us at rpz9@seattle.gov or call (206) 615-0479.