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

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Glass building with green tree behind it.

EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials

C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.

March 27 - Inside Climate News

White BART trains passing each other on elevated track in Fruitvale, California.

BART Closes $35 Million Deficit

Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.

March 27 - Mass Transit

Black hearse seen from behind driving on multilane road.

The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle

Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.

March 27 - Momentum Magazine