NEWPORT, R.I. – After noticing parking enforcement officers patrolling the Historic Hill handing out tickets for cars parked on side streets without residential parking stickers last week, it sparked a question: Just when does the restriction on residential parking end?
It’s an age-old question for visitors to the city who can often be seen craning their necks from behind the steering wheel trying to get straight the city’s parking prohibitions. But with no uniform city-wide policy in place, it can also be dumbfounding for locals as well.
Part of the problem may lie in the interpretation of the majority of signs that identify residential sticker parking areas. Most simply read “May-Oct.” But October what? The 1st, or the 31st?
The sign above, located on Prospect Hill Street, indicates that there is no parking “May-Oct” without a residential sticker.
When does resident-only parking end? This sign says Oct. 1.
But other older signs, including this one (pictured right) on Martin Street – just off of Prospect Hill, and around the corner from the sign above – are more specific; they read “May 1 – Oct. 1.”
So why have people been receiving parking tickets for parking in residential sticker areas for violations occurring after Oct. 1?
We conducted an informal survey of locals and visitors as to their understanding of the no parking signs in question, and the results were revealing.
Nine out of 12 people we talked to on Historic Hill earlier this week took the “May-Oct.” signs to denote “through the month of October.”
“I wouldn’t [park] there just to be on the safe side,” said Matthew DiLeo of Fairhaven, Mass.
More than one city official was also unsure of meaning of the signs.
The city’s Web site even seems noncommittal on the subject. “Be mindful of Residential Sticker Parking streets (most streets require a residential parking sticker from 6pm to 6am, others requrie a sticker 24 hours a day),” the Parking Enforcement page reads.
But when the question was put to City Manager Edward F. Lavallee, he went straight to the source.
According to Chapter 10, Section 28.08 of the city’s adopted ordinances, “The restriction on parking provided for in this chapter shall be in effect from May 1st to October 1st of each year.”
Apparently, that’s not how at least one parking enforcement officer understood it last week.
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Newport, RI
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
There is an easy one for Ed to solve. I mean just how many parking enforcement officers are there in Newport? One meeting should take care of all of them in about two minutes max.
Slightly more difficult for Ed to accomplish would be to get all the signs reading the same. This is a ridiculous situation.
Where are these signs posted. I did not see these signs because I was focusing all my attention to pedestrians crossing streets and heavy traffic. A sticker violation parking ticket was put on my car but I didn’t see any signs making us aware of the restiction. Are signs at eye level for easily viewing so it doesn’t take our attention off pedestrians or traffic? Not once did I see these signs while driving through the city.
If you’re from out of town, park in public lots so the people who live and work here can get on with their lives. Not everyone in Newport is on vacation.
I have no problem with the signs but I do not like the Traffic Aides ticketing cars for violations that a full blown police officer ignores…..they should be limited on what they write tix for and if they feel a car is in violation of a certain law call a cop to do the job
A little harsh, MeterMaid, don’t you think? By that thought, if you’re from out of town, you should be forced to pay $10, $15, $20 to park? They don’t have a right to pay less at a meter or street spot if they are spending money in our city? Parking in Newport is a challenge for locals and visitors alike- it’s the trade we make for maintaining the historic integrity of one of the oldest cities in the country. We don’t do them any favors by posting confusing signage (and don’t get me started on sometimes yellow, solid yellow and faded yellow curb paint – even more confusing)! Have a little patience, and be grateful people from other places are choosing to spend their hard-earned dollars here in a recession.