Norwalk Announces 15-Minute Free Parking Option For Paid On-Street Spaces

Information via the city of Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Paid on-street spaces throughout Norwalk will now offer a 15-minute free parking option, according to a recent announcement by city officials.

In a news release, Mayor Rilling and the Norwalk Parking Authority said the new parking initiative aims to "enhance convenience for Norwalk residents and visitors alike."

According to the city, the 15-minute free parking option was piloted in the Wall Street area of Norwalk last year.

The decision to implement the program citywide was based on a traffic pattern analysis conducted by the Department of Transportation, Mobility and Parking, city officials said.

The traffic data indicated an increase in quick transactions between customers and local businesses driven by the growing trend of online orders that require shorter parking stops for pickups, according to city officials.

"This initiative reflects our commitment to making Norwalk a more accessible, convenient, and business-friendly city," Rilling said in a news release. "By supporting quick stops for shopping, food pickups and banking, we are fostering economic growth while enhancing the overall experience for everyone who visits our downtown areas. I want to thank Eric Rains, chairman of the Norwalk Parking Authority, and the entire authority for their innovative approach to meeting the evolving needs of our community."

City officials also noted the 15-minute free parking option provides customers of downtown businesses with the opportunity to make brief visits for shopping, banking or other purposes without having to pay for parking.

Norwalk is the first municipality in Connecticut to create a new code for this parking option, according to city officials.

"In alignment with Park Norwalk's mission to support downtown development, sustainability, and community growth, we are thrilled to announce this latest advancement," Rains said in a news release. "This milestone showcases our unwavering commitment to enhancing economic development through innovative, smart parking technologies and collaborative efforts. Together with our partners, we are driving forward smarter, more efficient parking solutions for the community."

The free parking option will be available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To access this option, customers must go to multi-space meters at any Norwalk Parking Authority paid on-street space and enter their plate number. Failure to follow these steps will render the 15-minute parking option invalid and may result in a parking violation, city officials said.

Customers are limited to one 15-minute free parking session per 24 hours per plate, per parking zone, according to the city.

More information is available at the Norwalk Parking Authority's website.