The Abridged version:
- There are longer-than-usual wait times for residential parking permits in Sacramento.
- City officials say the backlog comes from high demand, but note that those waiting could still be ticketed while they wait.
- Roughly 20,000 residents have about 44,000 city-issued permits, which allow residents to park near their homes in neighborhoods with otherwise restricted parking.
Sacramentans looking for residential parking permits will have to wait longer than usual because unusually high demand has created a backlog, city officials say.
What’s more, those parkers could still be cited while they wait because parking enforcement officers in the field have no idea whose application is pending.
The permits allow residents to park on the street near their homes in some city neighborhoods with parking restrictions.
The news hasn’t gone over well. In one particularly robust Reddit discussion, participants called out the city’s fiscal issues and what some believe is an overly aggressive approach to parking enforcement.
“We understand this can be frustrating for residents, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work through the increased demand,” Gabby Miller, a city spokesperson, said in a written statement. “Staff are actively processing applications as quickly as possible.”
She said those ticketed can appeal their citations “and those cases are reviewed accordingly.”
Roughly 20,000 residents have about 44,000 city-issued permits, Miller said.
To help ease the approval backlog, the city is offering an in-person option during a four-hour window on Friday to receive permits the same day. Those interested can come to City Hall, room 1214, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Dan Smith is News Editor at Abridged.