Recitals:

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 82.80.030 authorizes cities to fix and impose a tax for the act of or privilege of parking a motor vehicle in a facility operated by a commercial parking business within its boundaries, to use strictly for transportation purposes in accordance with RCW 82.80.070.

There are numerous commercial parking businesses operating within Seattle providing parking for which a fee is paid.

In 2006, the City Council passed Ordinance 122192, imposing a commercial parking tax for the act or privilege of parking a motor vehicle in a commercial parking lot within Seattle that is operated by a commercial parking business.

The commercial parking tax imposed by Ordinance 122192, and last amended by Ordinance 126488, is equal to the parking fee multiplied by the 14.5 percent parking tax rate.

The Council desires to increase the commercial parking tax rate to support transportation projects and programs. Therefore,

Be it ordained by The City of Seattle as follows:

Section 1. Subsection 5.35.030.B of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 126488, is amended as follows:

5.35.030 Parking tax imposed

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B. The amount of the parking tax shall be equal to the parking fee multiplied by the parking tax rate. ((Effective July 1, 2009, the parking tax rate is imposed at ten percent (0.10). Effective January 1, 2011, the parking tax rate is imposed at 12.5 percent.)) Effective July 1, 2022, the parking tax rate is imposed at 14.5 percent. Effective January 1, 2027, the parking tax rate is imposed at 17 percent.