Cranston Mulling Overnight Parking Permits for Residents

For years, Cranston has been known as one city where parking your car on the street overnight is a bad idea.

For one, it violates city ordinance. And it could get you a parking ticket.

That could all change.

The City Council is mulling a measure that would create a residential overnight parking program and let people park on the street after paying the city $100 for one year.

The Ordinance Committee will discuss the proposed changes to city ordinance tonight. 

According to the proposal, residents may obtain a one-year residential parking permit for a $100 fee. The permit would require proof of residency as well as proof that their vehicle is registered in the state of Rhode Island. All previous parking tickets must be paid and the vehicle's taxes must be up to date.

Commercial vehicles and cars belonging to college students living in dorms or on a university campus would not be eligible for the permit. Also ineligible would be people who live in apartment complexes with more than five units, including condominiums.

The permits would be limited to two per address.

Current city laws prohibit parking on any street for more than two hours between 1 and 7 a.m.

The ordinance's sponsor is Councilman Steve Stycos. 

Some residents love the overnight parking restriction. They say it limits noise, neighborhood blight and keeps roads clear and safe. 

But many residents struggle with the parking restrictions, especially families with multiple cars and not much space in the driveway. Some resort to parking on their lawns or other measures to avoid being ticketed.

What do you think of the proposed ordinance?