Seattle’s most notorious locations for parking tickets are not found in the bustling areas of downtown or Capitol Hill. Instead, the leading spot is in Ballard, specifically at 8498 Seaview Place N.W., the parking lot at Golden Gardens Park. Between January 2024 and September 2025, a staggering 3,920 citations were issued here—over four times the number at the second-highest location. Interestingly, the primary cause of these tickets wasn’t expired meters (as parking at Golden Gardens is free) or the common issue of cars parked on the grass due to summer crowds.
According to a Secret Seattle article, the majority of citations were for expired tags or improper plates. Parking in Seattle can be a challenging experience, with nearly 650,000 parking citations issued citywide during the same timeframe, based on data from the Seattle Municipal Court. Gene Balk, known as the FYI Guy for The Seattle Times, analyzed this data and found significant discrepancies in ticket issuance across various addresses.
Following Golden Gardens, the second most ticketed area is in South Lake Union, located at 1050 Valley Street, near Lake Union Park. The University District claims the third spot, specifically the 1000 block of Boat Street. Additional locations rounding out the top five include the city parking lots at Magnuson Park and Seward Park.
Most parking fines in Seattle range from $43 to $78, but serious violations can result in fines as high as $250. If you’re looking to avoid parking tickets, be aware that the busiest days for ticketing are Tuesday through Friday, with Wednesday being the peak day, while Sundays see the fewest citations. The most frequent violation involves failing to pay at metered spots.
The key takeaway? Always pay for metered parking—especially on weekdays! And if you’re heading to Golden Gardens, consider alternative transportation options like a bus or bike, especially if your tags are expired.
