Ever wondered where your parking fees go? Here’s how one organization uses them
Editor’s note: This article is a direct result of The Herald’s recent outreach event in Fairhaven, where several people told us the cost and availability of parking is a key factor preventing them from visiting downtown Bellingham more frequently. Several in attendance said they wondered what the city’s parking revenue funds.
When you slide your credit card at a parking meter or pay a fine for skipping that step, do you ever wonder where that money goes? According to Torhil Ramsay, Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Bellingham Public Works Department, which manages parking, parking funds are distributed to three organizations: the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP), the Fairhaven Association and the Commercial Street Parking Garage.
“Parking management is essential to support businesses and residences in our growing community,” Ramsay told The Herald. “Paid parking and time limits help encourage saving on-street parking spaces for customers and visitors by creating more turnover.”
The city of Bellingham collects approximately $2.2 million in parking fees each year, according to the city’s website. Most of that money goes toward operating costs of facilities, enforcement costs and parking management. In 2025, the three entities are receiving a collective total of $590,000 for other projects.
DBP takes a $360,000 piece of that pie — more than half that money. Of that, $215,000 goes to landscaping and cleaning in downtown Bellingham. That work includes sweeping in sidewalks and alleys, litter pickup, maintenance to planters and rain gardens, planting seasonal flowers and other beautification projects.
One of DBP’s most publicized projects is the installation of annual flower baskets that line downtown. Those are funded through private donations and are not a part of the $215,000.
The other $145,000 is from a financial assistance agreement that covers some of their operational costs. Pop-up markets, holiday festivities, Downtown Sounds, and silent discos are only a few of the other projects covered. So far, the contracts have helped fund 410 new plants and planters at public beds, removed more than 4,000 human and pest waste from public space, removed 1,200 flyers and stickers from public space, and cleaned up over 280 abandoned encampments and debris.
Jenny Hagemann, Development & Communications Director at DBP, said that without the funds DBP would not be able to provide the full scope of their services.
“Many people may not recognize what a Main Street organization does in detail, but they know when they visit a city that feels kept, vibrant and proud. That’s what we do, and it takes our full team and funding to make it possible,” Hagemann said.
The Fairhaven Association is receiving $50,000 from the parking fund, and the Commercial Street Parking Garage is receiving $180,000 for security.
Parking fees progress the more time somebody spends in a parking spot. The first and second hour cost $1.50 per hour and the seventh and eighth hour cost $5. According to Ramsay, that is to encourage people to leave parking for others, managing demand.
For more information or instructions on how to pay, visit https://cob.org/services/transportation/parking/hourly-parking.
Editor’s note (Sept. 2): This article was revised to include a total for annual parking revenue, as well as how the majority of that funding is used.
This story was originally published August 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM.
