Parking Enforcement Reduced in L.A., Intact in New York City

The two largest cities are headed in two different directions when it comes to parking enforcement for street sweeping during the coronavirus pandemic—for now at least.

2 minute read

March 18, 2020, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services

Glenn Highcove / Shutterstock

"In an effort to help residents stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, Los Angeles will temporarily stop ticketing cars during street sweeping and relax its enforcement of some other parking rules, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday," reports Laura J. Nelson.

The moratorium on street sweeping tickets will stay in place for at least two weeks.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio is making the case that the city's "alternate side parking" policy for street sweeping is a necessity of public health. A Politico article by Erin Durkin, Danielle Muoio, and Joe Anuta allows Mayor de Blasio to explain the rationale to continue enforcing alternate side parking:

“It's a pain in the butt. We all understand that, but it's there for a reason. It's because that is what allows the street sweepers to keep our neighborhoods clean,” he said on PIX 11 Morning News. “I am worried about a city in the middle of an epidemic that gets less and less clean. That's not good public health practice.”

Critics of the plan say avoiding an alternate side parking ticket requires residents to leave the home at a time when the city is asking everyone to stay home unless absolutely necessary.

The Politico article also mentions the revenue from parking tickets in a time of expected fiscal belt tightening at the city as tax revenues plummet while the public stays home.

Monday, March 16, 2020 in Los Angeles Times

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Vacant storefront in historic building on Powell Street in San Francisco, California

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax

Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

6 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

June 4 - Greater Greater Washington

Graphic for '1000 Joys of Planning' with The Planning Commission Podcast

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning

The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.

June 4 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.