As with many thriving districts, parking can become a real challenge. The area wants visitors. They make the best customers. Often, as a community grows, parking becomes finite and begins to adversely affect the quality of life of those who live and work in the area. A Parking Benefit District is often established to create structure and revenue to fund improvements.
Parking Benefits Districts (PBDs) are defined geographic areas, typically in downtown areas or along commercial corridors in which a majority of the revenue generated from on-street parking facilities within the district is returned to the district to finance neighborhood improvements. In Parking Benefit Districts, a Neighborhood Parking District Board or Committee can utilize a percentage of parking revenues generated within the district to make neighborhood improvements that improve quality of life and neighborhood safety.
Five representatives from the residential and business community and one non-voting city department manager usually comprise the advisory committee. The group is tasked with developing a project list based on feedback received from public meetings. The committee will meet quarterly once the pilot program is up and running. The meeting dates and members of the advisory committee will be determined at the launch of the pilot program.
Permits are available to residents in Parking Benefit Districts to utilize street parking in their neighborhood. On-street parking fees, parking citation revenue, and other permit fees offer additional revenue sources.
An advisory committee, usually comprised of five representatives for the residential and business community as well as three non-voting city staff members, manages and organizes a Parking Benefit District. Based on guidance from public meetings, the committee is also responsible for developing a project list of potential area improvements.
The goals of a Parking Benefit District can be to extend priority parking access to residents of the area and moderate on-street parking by non-residents within their defined geographic area.
Under this program, residents within the Parking Benefit District can purchase parking permits to park along roadways in their area, and non-residents can park in various areas within the Parking Benefit District as specified and permitted.
Non-resident parking areas can include:
Residents submit a residential parking permit application. This can often be done via the online permit portal, where virtual permits are issued after receiving all documentation.
Employees of small businesses within the district can receive a parking permit to show proof of employment. This permit allows for parking on specific streets close to their place of employment
Residential Permits: Residents may be issued parking permits for each vehicle owned, leased, or under the continuing custody of an applicant who provides proof of residency within the designated residential permit parking area.
The total number of permits may be decreased at the discretion of the Parking Services Division when it appears that the number of permits issued would exceed the number of legal on-street parking spaces.
Construction & Service Vehicle Permits: Any vehicle owned, leased, or under the continuing custody of a business or individual performing construction, maintenance, or service work in a designated residential permit parking area can be issued a construction & service vehicle permit. the issuance of the permits is subject to the following criteria:
Visitor Permits: Any person eligible to obtain a residential parking permit can acquire a visitor parking permit. However, no more than one annual visitor parking permit will be issued at any one time. Temporary visitor or guest passes are available. There are three types of visitor parking permits:
Short Term Rental Permits: Owners or property managers of short-term rental units within a residential parking area may apply for a one-year parking permit for guests as follows:
A driver's license, current rent receipt, or utility bill which identifies the applicant as a resident of a dwelling unit in the area is required for proof of residential eligibility. Proof of vehicle ownership or continuing custody consists of but is not limited to vehicle registration or certificate of the vehicle lease agreement.
Vehicles that properly display an ADA placard are exempt from permit requirements and parking restrictions as applicable by local and state law. Additionally, on-duty vehicles from the Fire and Police Department as well as city Parks & Recreation District vehicles on official business.
Parking strategies within the Parking Benefit District do not:
To create parking spaces for attendees of nearby special events, certain streets within a Parking District can be part of a Special Event Area. Roads and streets within a Special Event Area must:
Non-residents and special event attendees can park in a Special Event Area during a special event. A parking fee applies.
City of Bend - Parking Benefit Districts
City of Bend - Old Bend Parking District
Community Parking Districts (CPD, Fairfax, VA
Chicago Parking District
Washington Avenue Corridor Parking Benefit District, City of Houston, Texas
