Parking
Updates
Handicap Parking Zones
If you are a handicapped driver without a driveway or off-street parking, you might be able to apply for a handicap parking zone. For more information, see the Traffic Safety Department application.
Winter Even/Odd Parking
Rental properties with more than one household in it makes for needed parking on the street due to multiple vehicles. Even single family properties have multiple vehicles and maybe a small driveway. It is understandable when you have a car and need to park at home, however there is a good reason for Even/Odd parking rules. Safety.
In the winter travel gets more and more difficult for emergency vehicles and residents trying to get to and from work, especially during winters like the one we are currently in where there is a larger amount of snowfall. This is especially the case when residents or visitors do not observe the even/odd parking rules or there is an abandoned vehicle that the plows cannot get the roads cleared because they are in the way. The situation gets more dangerous for both pedestrians, homeowners and drivers when the snow keeps piling up, roads get narrower and sidewalk clearing is ignored. We cannot stress this enough!
City of Grand Rapids Winter Parking
A perfect example of when Even/Odd Parking rules were ignored. This photo was taken by resident Luci Anderson of Fire Trucks that were unable to respond quickly to a business fire (Sam's Party Store) on 2/27/2014 due to cars being parked on both sides of the street. This is a safety hazard for homeowners and business owners alike as the Emergency Vehicles trying to respond cannot pass to get to the emergency, people could possibly not get help in a timely manner and in the case of a fire, it could spread to other buildings if not contained quickly. In a worst case scenario, a person or persons could be hurt or killed because of it. There have been multiple instances in the news where this was the case.
Examples:
