Parking In Duluth Is About To Get More Expensive, With Payment Option Changes

The City of Duluth is letting the public know that it is about to get more expensive to park on city streets, with changes to how you can pay also on the way.

In an update at the end of February, the City of Duluth laid out that its Parking Services Division will begin rolling out some significant changes for street parking that are likely to be fully implemented by the spring tourist season.

Here's what you need to know.

Change 1: No more change! Duluth's coin-operated parking meters are being removed

This is a change some people might openly welcome, while others might be frustrated about it.

In the coming weeks, the remaining coin-operated parking meters around Duluth will be removed in favor of electronic payment methods. This has been implemented in some places around Duluth in recent years, but the conversion to electronic payment for every street parking spot in Duluth is set to happen in the coming weeks.

Payment options will include the Park Duluth app, scanning a QR code on parking signs, and a text-to-park payment option. The new signs will look like this:

There will still be an option to pay with cash or coins, but this will be done at a kiosk located in your parking zone, and not specifically at your parking spot.

READ MORE: How Modern Electronic Parking Meters Are Killing A Piece Of "Minnesota Nice"

While this shouldn't be a major inconvenience for those who prefer to pay with cash/coins, I have seen people get frustrated by having to remember parking spot numbers and license plate numbers after walking to find the kiosk.

Coin-operated parking meters will still be able to be used until they are removed, which is slated to be done zone-by-zone around Duluth through the spring.

If you're someone who parks at meters regularly, you still may want to try to pay with cash. I'll explain why in a second.

Change 2: Prices are going up for street parking in Duluth

The City of Duluth approved a rate increase from $1.50 to $2.00 per hour in 2025, and that 33.33% price increase is being implemented during this spring rollout - regardless of how you pay.

If you're looking for a way to save a little money on parking, however, paying with cash (at one of the new kiosks) will be your best method to do that.

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If you've ever used the Park Duluth app, you have likely noticed a "convenience charge" that gets tagged onto your final cost to park. Here's an example I ran into last spring, where a $0.50 parking fee, plus the $0.35 conveneience fee, cost me a total of $0.85 to park.

There's no word about the convenience fee increasing, but even if it isn't, paying with cash (at the new kiosks being installed) is a way to save yourself some money - especially if you park at meters regularly.

When are these changes being implemented?

The City of Duluth says the price increases are being rolled out during the removal of coin-operated parking meters.

This process of removal of coin-operated meters and addition of signage for electronic payment and new payment kiosks will be done zone-by-zone around Duluth, and is expected to be completed "sometime later this spring".