Coeur d'Alene, ID Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

The City Council of Coeur d'Alene creates residential permit parking areas by ordinance, and only after holding a public hearing (section 10.22.020 A). The Council looks for conditions such as a predominately residential area near a nonresidential use that attracts commuter traffic, streets congested with vehicles blocking crosswalks, driveways and alleys, and dwelling units that lack sufficient off street parking. Each designating ordinance has to describe the street area, the hours, days and year the rules apply, the basis for the annual permit cost and the renewal date, who is eligible to buy a permit, exceptions for schools, churches, businesses and public park use, and visitor or special gathering provisions. The city engineer erects signs showing the nature of the limitation and its hours and days before any enforcement begins (section 10.22.020 C).

Under section 10.22.030 C, the city engineer establishes resident only areas based on traffic and congestion studies, and notice goes by mail to each residence or property owner along the designated streets. Parking there from 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, is allowed only for vehicles displaying a resident's decal or a visitor's permit tag, unless designated otherwise for specific areas.

Permits run from August 15 through August 14 of the following year (sections 10.22.050 A and 10.22.080). Decals go on the lower left rear window, driver's side, and visitor tags hang from the rearview mirror. Applicants appear in person before the city clerk with proof of identification, address, current vehicle registrations and license plate number. One decal is issued for each vehicle registered to an applicant residing in the permit area, and each residence receives two visitor permit tags (section 10.22.060). A resident of a multiple-family dwelling with sufficient on site parking gets no permit, and a permit does not guarantee or reserve a parking space (section 10.22.050 D).

The Fort Ground area, bounded by Hubbard Avenue, Park Drive and Lincoln Way, River Avenue and Lake Coeur d'Alene, has its own rule in section 10.22.100. The 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. permit requirement there runs Monday through Sunday, except holidays and special events such as Art On The Green and North Idaho College commencement day. The homeowners' association can receive 20 free temporary hangtags a year for residential events.