Mayor Harrell and Council President Nelson Propose New Curbside Designation for Live Music Venues to Support Easier Parking, Loading Access

Seattle - Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Council President Sara Nelson announced legislation to establish a new curbside designation and permit program for live music venues to make loading and parking more accessible to musicians and supporting crews.

"Seattle's world-class music scene is a not only an essential part of our cultural identity, but also our economy by supporting so many businesses and creative workers," said Mayor Harrell. "Our local performers and live music venues are a tremendous asset, and they shouldn't have to put their livelihoods at risk from damage or theft to perform. These new music venue zones will allow for safer, easier transport of gear and equipment, showing one of the ways we are working to support a thriving arts and culture landscape in our city."

"Seattle's artists need a break. By making it easier to make music in our city, the Music Venue Zone Permit program will support our local musicians, boost our music and nightlife scene, and help draw performers that may otherwise bypass Seattle venues because it's too difficult to find safe, convenient parking for their gear and crew," said Council President Nelson. "This solution has been a Music Commission priority for years and I thank SDOT and OED for working with my office to get it done."

Last year, in consultation with Council President Nelson, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Office of Economic Development (OED) worked with the Seattle Music Commission to gather feedback from venue operators and local musicians about their unique parking and loading needs in the city.

The outreach garnered over 300 responses and showed the challenges musicians and venue operators face finding reliable, accessible on-street parking near venues to load and unload equipment for gigs and park vehicles, including concerns about personal safety and theft or damage of expensive equipment.

By establishing a new permit program, SDOT will issue Music Venue Zone Permits to qualifying venues for use in new, designated "Music Venue Zones" by musicians and their crews for parking and loading.

To qualify for the new music venue zone designation under the proposed legislation, venues must host live music performances and charge a fee for admission at least twice a week on a regular basis. Venues would be able to apply for one permit each, and each permit would allow up to three music venue zones. Music venue zones would allow parking and loading with a valid permit 24 hours a day, 7-days a week.

The legislation will be transmitted to Council for consideration. If approved this summer, SDOT expects to begin issuing permits to qualifying music venues as soon as fall 2024.

Supporting the vibrancy of Seattle's arts, culture, and entertainment sectors continues to be a critical component of Mayor Harrell's Downtown Activation Plan. Efforts include the new youth arts hub at King Street Station, the return of Bumbershoot at Seattle Center, and $1.13 million in funding through the Office of Arts & Culture to support new public art, murals, and performances.

What People Are Saying

Greg Spotts, Director, Seattle Department of Transportation

"I am excited to announce this new solution to improve the concert experience by making it easier for musicians to find parking and load their equipment. Music has been an important part of my life and career, and as a Gen-Xer I have always related to Seattle's music scene in the 90s including bands like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam."

Markham McIntrye, Director, Office of Economic Development

"Live music venues are a vital component to our thriving and vibrant nighttime economy and culture. OED has been working closely with SDOT on the development of this legislation, which will alleviate a major headache for both the venues and the musicians who play them - having accessible and free load zones and parking. As Seattle continues to grow, it is important that we take measures to support our nightlife, and this legislation will do that. I also want to thank the Seattle Music Commission for their strong advocacy in support of this measure."

Jason Clackley, Chair of Seattle Music Commission and Artistic Director at The Vera Project

"Starting as a pilot many years ago involving my predecessors on the Seattle Music Commission, this new legislation will fully realize what our music venues and music artists need, which is safe, accessible, and consistent parking outside our music venues. This program is affordable & functional and meets long time needs. It only strengthens and continues to contribute to Seattle's unique approach to supporting our creative economy. Today's Seattle Music Commission, as strong advocates and thought partners in this process, fully supports this legislation."

Dana Sims, President, Washington Nightlife Music Association (WANMA)

"Accessible and affordable parking and loading spaces are a huge need for touring and local artists, and the lack of them is often a barrier to bands being able to perform at a venue. The costs of parking can eat into a band's revenue for the night, and hauling expensive equipment to distant loading locations can carry the risk of theft, damage or injury. In addition, this legislation will relieve venues of the cost, time and effort associated with permitting on a show-by-show basis. Washington Nightlife and Music Association (WANMA) supports this legislation and thanks City officials for taking a proactive approach to supporting live music."

Rob Thomas, Regional Vice President, AEG Presents / Showbox Presents

"The parking of working vehicles and loading of musical equipment are needed for every concert we do. Our team is elated with the Mayor's Office support and very thankful for everyone who worked to make this happen. The new legislation will be a great improvement to the efficiency and accessibility of the process."

Shaina Foley, General Manager / General Partner, The Crocodile Venues

"The Crocodile venue complex hosts over 800 live arts and music events each year featuring local and national touring artists, annually welcoming 270,000+ attendees to the Belltown neighborhood. One of the most significant challenges we face daily while welcoming artists to Seattle and our venues is providing reliable and secure parking. Designated parking helps us create a stress-free and safe load-in path for artists, their crews, our neighbors, and pedestrians by reducing the travel distance of heavy cases and other gear from the curb to the venue. Permitting these spaces is currently cost-prohibitive for many independent music venues struggling to operate on a tight budget. Arts and culture institutions play an essential role in bringing fans and revenue into our communities; providing reliable and affordable parking would allow artists to focus their time on more important things like preparing to put on an incredible show while also empowering event organizers to concentrate on doing what we do best: bringing people together. "

Jason Lajeunesse, Co-owner of Neumos and Founder of Daydream State

"Neumos has been an integral part of Seattle's cultural landscape for over twenty years - bringing together neighbors and visitors in celebration of our city's passion for live music with incredible artists such as Adele, Billie Eilish, Odesza, Tame Impala and much more. The new curbside designation and permit program for live music venues will be a welcome practical solution for one of the long-standing challenges the music community has faced in this ever changing and ever growing city."

Leigh Bezezekoff, Marketing & Ticketing Manager, Tractor Tavern

"I'm really excited to hear about and lend my support to the City's new curbside designation & permit program that will make loading into venues much easier for artists. It takes care of a huge need for artists whether they are touring in from other parts of the country or across town. Having a parking option that's convenient for loading in and saves them from driving around looking for parking for oversized vehicles is incredibly supportive and welcoming- especially if they're unfamiliar with the neighborhood."

Wayne Horvitz, Partner, Royal Room

"As a touring musician for over forty years, and a partner at The Royal Room in Seattle, I have a very long view of just how essential convenient parking and load in is for any musician arriving at a venue. Traveling for 8 hours or 8 minutes to the club, being able to park easily and load in without a lot of problems goes a long way towards getting off on the right foot for any performer."

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