By Sean Copeland, Contributing Writer
Parking in Detroit, as in many cities, has been a source of open-ended conversation. For many residents, the mere subject of where to leave their cars becomes a topic of varied thoughts and opinions.
In a city like Detroit, where public transportation isn’t as widely used or the most functional, parking is an essential need for residents throughout the area. Residents here don’t rely on more advanced public transit options like trains or subways to eliminate the need for driving, so they deal with the issues that come along with the need to own a vehicle, and parking is among those issues.
While complaints about ticketing won’t ever go away, city officials have been issuing tickets at a much lower rate in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same time last year. The total amount of tickets issued was 21,554 from January 2023 to August 2023. For January 2024 to August 2024, the total amount of tickets issued was 13,256.
While metered parking is largely an issue, downtown parking lots can also become expensive, with daily rates ranging from $10-$40, and costs skyrocketing to as much as $110 during special events.
For many citizens, parking is simply a headache. They often complain not only about the current system but also the method of its enforcement. When traveling to the Midtown and Downtown areas, many residents find themselves frustrated because of the rules or guidelines that are in place. For many, the question has become, what are the rules that go into place for street parking?
The Basics of City Parking
For the basics, metered street parking costs 25 cents per 15 minutes. Citizens can also use the ParkDetroit app to pay online. On designated city streets, metered parking is free on Sundays and city-observed holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
As for Sundays, however, certain streets in Midtown and Downtown implemented residential parking zones earlier this year to ensure fair parking for area residents who found parking to be difficult during certain local events. Citywide parking safety violations, like blocking fire hydrants and alleys and even parking more than 12 inches away from curbs, are also enforced now on Sundays.
Concerts and sporting events at Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, Ford Field, and more have always caused a reduction in the available spaces for residents in the surrounding areas. On these designated streets, the hours of parking enforcement are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. After those hours, a residential parking pass is needed to park in the area. An administrative fee of $35 is required upon application. An annual residential parking permit fee is $60. Seniors and income-exempt applicants qualify for a discounted rate of $30. Residents in designated areas can get visitor permits at $1 per use.
Additionally, The Detroit Parking Department lists guidelines on where citizens can park near certain objects. Parking is allowed 30 feet from a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal. It is also allowed 15 feet from a fire hydrant and five feet from a driveway with a curb cut of 10 feet. The violation of these lesser-known instances often results in ticketing, as the public may not be as aware.
Consistent Public Concern Over Ticketing
Over time, many citizens have complained about what they deem as unnecessary ticketing from city meter attendants. Concerns have often included the overall spirit behind the ticketing as many feel a lack of remorse is given in their efforts. One of the major complaints has been ticketing issued in reserved parking areas such as in front of stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Earlier this summer, several citizens complained of unnecessary ticketing on Canfield Street in Midtown in front of the Shinola Canfield flagship store, stating that they were ticketed inside the boundaries of the store’s parking.
As it currently stands, in front of the store, there are two valet signs that protect and allow shoppers to park without ticketing. There are no time restrictions, and parking is free during the store’s operating hours. However, while the concerns have fielded complaints, there hasn’t been an uptick in canceled tickets.
“Not that we’re aware of,” said Detroit Parking Director Keith Hutchings. He also explained that there is more of an issue of voided tickets than canceled tickets in the instance of citizens making appeals.
“Typically, the only reason for a ticket to be canceled is when a new parking enforcement officer doesn’t fully complete the ticket, for instance forgets to include the make, model, or color of the car. This would result in a voided ticket.”
According to data, there was a significant decline in parking citations in the Midtown and Downtown districts during the period of January 2024 to August 2024 in comparison to the same period last year.
Parking Citation Data
The following data is for certain popular metered parking areas:
Adams: Cass to Woodward, 2023 Total: 1,842; 2024 Total: 1,497
Broadway: Park to Gratiot, 2023 Total: 1,778; 2024 Total: 1,061
Cadillac Square: Randolph to Woodward, 2023 Total: 3,112; 2024 Total: 1,647
Cass: Alexandrine to Warren, 2023 Total: 1,280; 2024 Total: 601
Centre: John R to Randolph, 2023 Total: 835; 2024 Total: 560
Columbia: Park to Cass, 2023 Total: 492; 2024 Total: 401
Kirby: Cass to John R, 2023 Total: 2,303; 2024 Total: 1,343
Montcalm: Park to Cass, 2023 Total: 204; 2024 Total: 111
Park: I-75 to Adams, 2023 Total: 2,178; 2024 Total: 1,259
Warren: Cass to Woodward, 2023 Total; 2024 Total: 1,236; 2024 Total: 804
Washington Blvd: Park to Michigan Ave, 2023 Total: 5,643; 2024 Total: 3,553
Watson: John R to Woodward, 2023 Total: 651; 2024 Total: 419
Hutchings also offered insight into why most motorists are getting ticketed. The following instances are not allowed and are considered violations:
– Park at a meter and don’t pay
– Park in a handicapped location without a proper handicapped plate or placard
– Park in a no-standing or no parking zone
– Park in a crosswalk or corner clearance zone
– Park in a bus or bike line
For any public concerns, residents are allowed to make arrangements with the Parking Department on a suitable payment plan to pay down debts. According to the website, residents also can request a hearing by calling 313-963-9630, by sending a letter to P.O. Box 2549 Detroit, MI 48231-2549, or by appearing at our cashiering center located at: 1001 Tenth St. For additional information on parking fees, appeals, hearings, and more visit detroitmi.gov/departments/municipal-parking-department.