Block Face Parking

The City of Eau Claire Police Department uses the License Plate Recognition (LPR) system to enforce parking regulations, and Block Face Parking enforcement was enacted to more efficiently use this system.

Block Face Parking enforcement means that after you have parked for two hours or less once per calendar day, your vehicle must be moved to another block as shown in the graphic on the supplemental signage.

You may park on any downtown block once per calendar day for two hours or less between the hours of 6am and 6pm.

6:00am to 6:00pm: Two-Hour Parking

Two-hour on-street parking restrictions are enforced in the downtown area between the hours of 6am and 6pm allowing for quick stops at stores, restaurants, or businesses.

6:00pm to 2:00am: Free Parking

On-street parking in the downtown area is free between the hours of 6pm and 2am. 

No Parking: 2:00am to 6:00am

Parking Status Change

A request for change in parking status must be accompanied by a petition form signed by the property owners affected by the change.

After the petition is received, it is then considered by the Public Works Traffic Committee who will review the request and upon consideration may refer it to the City Council for action.

The City has two fully-automated parking ramps in downtown Eau Claire. They are:

Farwell/Gibson Street Parking Ramp
Location: 202 South Farwell Street (near The Lismore Hotel Eau Claire building)

North Barstow Street Parking Ramp
Location: 303 Galloway Street (near Royal Credit Union Corporate Center & JAMF buildings)

**Under Construction** Transfer Center Parking Ramp
Location: public ramp entrance at 330 Gray Street

How do they work and what is the parking fee?

City of Eau Claire ramps use the Passport Parking system, cameras read a vehicles license plate as it enters the ramp.  Users have 10 minutes to enter their information via the Passport Parking App, or at the Passport Parking kiosk located in the ramp stairwell area if paying with a card or coins.   Download the Passport Parking app at PassportParking.com

Passport Parking App How-To

1. Download the App. Create, register, & verify your account.
2. Find Your Zone. Look for the unique zone number on Passport Parking signs and decals.
3. Pay. Enter your session information. & choose a payment method.
4. Manage on the Go. Receive alerts & send email receipts of your parking session.

Passport Parking Without the App - coin or card payment

1. Find Your Zone. Look for the unique zone number. on Passport Parking signs and decals.
2. Locate the Passport Parking kiosk near the ramp stairwell and follow the posted instructions.

How much does it cost?

Hourly Fee 

$0.50 per hour.  Effective 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except  holidays (see "Enforcement/Holidays" in the dropdown below)

Maximum charge per 24-hour period: $10.

Monthly Ramp Passes

A 30-day parking pass for either the Farwell/Gibson Street Ramp or the North Barstow Street Ramp can be purchased at eauclairewi.cmrpay.com. You will be directed to create a Passport account; then, follow the prompts to enter your information and payment steps. Call (715) 839-4934 for more information. 

Monthly Parking Ramp Fee as of January 1, 2024 (includes 5.5% sales tax)

Farwell/Gibson Street Ramp - 202 S. Farwell Street - Monthly Fee: $47.48 

North Barstow Street Ramp - 303 Galloway Street - Monthly Fee:   $54.86

**Under Construction** Transit Center Ramp - Monthly Fee:  $54.86

Quarterly Parking Permits

Quarterly permits may be purchased in the City of Eau Claire Treasury Department which is located on the second level of City Hall, 203 S. Farwell Street.  The Treasury Department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.    Questions?  Call 715-839-4923.

Quarterly Parking Permit Fee (includes 5.5% sales tax) 

Farwell & Seaver Street Lots -  309 S. Farwell and 617 S. Barstow St. - Quarterly Fee:  $94.95

Riverside - Upper Level - 402 Graham Ave. - Quarterly Fee: $126.60

Riverside - Lower Level (assigned stalls) - 402 Graham Ave. - Quarterly Fee: $142.43

Riverview Parking Lot - 101 S. Dewey Street - $94.95

Find local charging locations to plan your travel.  The number of stations are growing with more level 2 and fast charging level 3 options. 

The City of Eau Claire currently provides these public stations downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors.  

North Barstow Ramp - 303 Galloway St. - Level 2 / 6 ports / (6.6 kw)
Service Fee/Rate = $0
Support: ChargePoint Mobile App 1-866-480-2936

Municipal Parking Lot - 122 E. Madison St. - Fast Charging / Level 3 / 2 ports / 180 kW)
Service Fee/Rate = $0
Support: ZEF Mobile App 1-888-493-3638

Please remove your EV once the charging session ends so the station is available to others and to avoid a late fee.

Additional information on EV's from the City of Eau Claire 

Vision, Mission, & Values - Sustainability/Electric Vehicles

Alternate side parking restrictions are in effect on all city streets from November 1 through May 1.  The restrictions apply, and will be enforced, between midnight and 7 a.m.   

When parking a vehicle or trailer on the street, the date after midnight is used to determine the correct side:

• On odd-numbered dates, vehicles can only be parked, stopped, or left standing on the side of the street having addresses that end in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9).  For example, 1025 Smith Street.
• On even-numbered dates, vehicles can only be parked, stopped, or left standing on the side of the street having addresses that end in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8).  For example, 1024 Smith Street.

These rules do not replace more restrictive parking regulations in the city including any posted “No Parking” signs or in the event a Snow Emergency is declared.  Meaning, if the street is posted as “No Parking”, then no parking is allowed regardless of whether Alternate Side Parking rules are in effect. This may require you to park on a nearby street. 

Please keep in mind that Alternate Side Parking regulations will be enforced in all areas of the city.  These regulations, in addition to snow removal, make it possible for the City to do street sweeping and other routine maintenance during the low traffic early morning hours.

If issued a ticket; the cost of the citation is $30.  

The City of Eau Claire City Council, at the Tuesday, October 8, 2019 legislative meeting, voted to approve an ordinance that returned the City of Eau Claire to “Alternate Side Parking” rules from November 1 through May 1 of each year.    A copy of the adopted ordinance can be seen here:  https://www.eauclairewi.gov/home/showdocument?id=29868

Parking Restrictions vary across the city, can vary based on the time of day, and from street to street. Look for posted signs for guidance when parking on the street.

Alternate Side Parking is in effect in the city of Eau Claire from November 1 through May 1 of each year, regardless of whether there is snow.   

Alternate Side Parking rules do not replace more restrictive parking regulation including any posted "No Parking" signs or in the event of a declared Snow Emergency.  Learn more about Alternate Side Parking in the drop-down above or at EauClaireWI.gov/AlternateSideParking

To pay or appeal a parking ticket, visit https://eauclairewi.rmcpay.com

It will be helpful to have the following information available

• Citation Number
• License Plate Number

After entering your information, you will see instructions for how to pay or appeal your citation.

Enforcement

Paid parking & 2-hour parking is enforced 6am to 6pm with the exception of holidays. Parking fees must be paid via the Passport App. 

Holidays

The City does not enforce paid parking or 2-hour parking on the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve Day
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Eve Day

A parking waiver may be requested for a temporary exception to the parking rules for maintenance vehicles, delivery trucks, and similar situations. (Parking waivers are not allowed for personal vehicles to circumvent the posted parking regulations.)

What factors are considered in granting a parking waiver?

Traffic flow, parking availability, pedestrian traffic, and other pertinent factors are taken into consideration when considering a parking waiver request. Reasons a parking waiver may be granted could include: 

• Repair, remodeling, or construction of buildings where parking immediately adjacent to the job site is required.
• Parking lot construction or repair.
• Loading or unloading moving vans or trucks.
• Any other reason which in the judgment of the Parking Administrator would require such waiver.

How can I request a parking waiver & how long is it good for?

No parking waiver shall last longer than three months.

Visit the Engineering Permitting Portal to learn more about the process for obtaining a parking waiver or any other permit granted through the Engineering Department.