Sandpoint City Hall seeking Parking Committee applicants

September 2, 2026

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

Citing “decades” of parking challenges, Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm announced Sept. 1 that the city is inviting applicants for a reestablished Parking Committee, which is intended to inform decisions related to future parking management policies.

“The city removed downtown parking meters in 1990, yet by 1996 Sandpoint was again debating how to balance parking access, turnover, business and employee needs, enforcement and cost. Those questions remain with us today,” Grimm stated in a message posted at sandpointidaho.gov.

The issue has dominated local conversation for months, following the July 1 rollout of paid parking — including kiosks — throughout the two-hour downtown core zone and city-owned lots. Following pushback from both area residents and some council members, the two-hour downtown street kiosks were turned off and are being removed. Sandpoint Planning and Community Development Director Jason Welker told councilors on Sept. 2 that about half of the kiosks have so far been relocated to City Beach, and the remainder will be removed and redistributed or stored by the end of the month.

One of the previously installed parking kiosks in Sandpoint. Photo by Soncirey Mitchell.

Meanwhile, the City Council is considering if more changes to the parking management plan are needed in 2027, and the “focused, relatively short-term committee” will be “charged with reviewing the facts; considering the experiences of residents, businesses, employees and visitors; and providing recommendations to the mayor and City Council,” Grimm stated, adding that applicants are sought who will be “willing to examine the data; listen respectfully to differing views; and balance financial realities, access, enforcement, business needs and Sandpoint’s unique culture.”

To apply, go to lf.sandpointidaho.gov/Forms/duEOE.