“Emergency no parking” permits now online

DDOT is replacing the system of getting “emergency no parking” signs at police stations with a formal, online permit system.

The permit system lets people apply for permits, such as those to reserve curbside space for moving trucks or mobile storage units. Those performing construction can also get permits for construction areas or manhole access.

Formerly, there were two conflicting ways to receive permits. Officially, residents had to go to the permit center on North Capitol Street with a formal application. That process was time-consuming, complex, and carried many restrictions along with some fees. If you needed to reserve metered spaces instead of just residential spaces, you needed several days to get in touch with the right people at DDOT.

Instead, most people simply went to the local police station. They would issue signs that you could hand-write. These signs were convenient, but carried plenty of problems for parkers. It wasn’t clear where they specifically applied, or sometimes over which dates, and have no contact information or even evidence they’re real. In fact, some people were buying signs at the local hardware store.

Recently, MPD stopped providing these signs and started referring people to the new online system. Currently, users have to pick up the signs using kiosks at the North Capitol Street permit center, but the site says they will soon add kiosks at the police stations as well. The site now automatically knows if there are parking meters on the block you are requesting.

Permits cost $34. If someone is moving and needs two separate locations, they have to pay twice, As they refine the system, DDOT might want to consider letting people reserve two spots each for half a day for a similar price as one spot for a whole day.

It also restricts people to reserving four parking spaces. When I moved, I needed more spaces as there were two trucks, one very long; I also was denied more by the permit center, but could easily reserve more using the police station’s signs. Since few people used the old regulations, DDOT may need to tweak the rules as everyone starts following them to ensure they don’t restrict people unnecessarily.