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Residential Permit Parking Study

The City of Lancaster is conducting a review of its Residential Permit parking (RPP) Program. The study findings will be used to improve the program. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for the most current information.

What is the Residential Permit Parking Study?

The RPP program is a vital component of the City's traffic management toolbox and is used in several neighborhoods to manage limited parking supply. To increase parking access and better manage congestion, the study will review applicable City codes, policies, and programs to identify potential RPP grown opportunities. The study will include a holistic analysis of RPP zone compliance and permit use, and an inventory of relevant best practices. Study findings will be used to inform code changes, program adjustments, and the development of performance metrics.

Will this fix parking?

As we enter this process, it's important to remember that parking is in short supply in many parts of the City. Even if we manage available parking well, there still may not be enough parking for everyone who wants it, exactly where they want it to be.

Phases

Phases overview

Public Feedback Phase

Input Analysis/Plan Drafting

Public Review of Draft Recommendations

Plan Consideration, Refinement, and Adoption

Implementation: Phases 1 & 2

Implementation: RPP Pilot Programs in NW & SE

Implementation: Phase 3

Public Review of Draft Recommendations

July 30, 2024 - August 18, 2024

During this phase, we're asking for feedback from the public about the proposed changes to the RPP program.

View the Public Meeting Video The second RPP public meeting to introduce preliminary recommendations was held on 7/30/2024.

View the Recommendations See the full recommendations.

Some of the proposed changes include:

Limiting RPP to areas that are eligible based on their land use, external traffic generators, residential density, and off-street parking options.
Requiring a parking study for eligible areas.
Increasing the minimum permit zone size to a minimum of 2x2 block area
Moving to a tiered fee system: $30 for the first permit, $60 for the second permit.
Adding a low-income fee option ($20/permit for low-income households)
Implementing automated enforcement (License Plate Recognition or LPR technology)
Making signage easier to understand.

Submit a Comment to let us know what you think of the recommendations.

Residential Permit Parking Study Update - 7-30-2024.pdf

(2.4 MB)

35 issues

Jeffrey W Schweizer2 years ago I understand you do not like the Block by Block approach, however in some respects it works well in terms of knowing your neighbors and civility. Efficiency is not always effective. I am concerned that under the new rules if my RPP area is increased to a 2 X 2 block grid we will not get consensus on applying for a new RPP. At the same time, if the new redrawn RPP area includes many rental units, I am also concerned that I will not be able to find parking close by. Who would proposes the new 2 X 2 block areas, the city or the residents?It is my understanding that rental units would get 5 permits per address, is that correct, and if so is it also under review? As a percentage your proposed RPP fees are a respective 50% and a 200% increase. This would be especially hard to take if the parking gets worse. I understand you plan to tie these to income limits; however, I find those type of arrangements humiliating. I already limit my trips to the Farmers Market and restaurants downtown due to the cost of Parking. I understand these are difficult problems to solve and I applaud the City for taking these on. Bottom line, I would not like to see the value of my property diminished in livability, security or value with these new rules.

Paula Jackson2 years ago I live on South Mary Street, located between W. King Street and Manor Street. Our block has parking on both sides of the street, but driveways, a fire hydrant, and the new delineators limit the number of available parking spaces with existing permit holders. Approximately 8 years ago a new neighbor circulated a petition for daytime and nighttime permit parking on our block. He observed that with the inadequate curbside parking on Manor and West King Street to serve the residents of those high-density streets, there frequently would be no on-street parking available when he came home from work due to parking by Manor and King Street residents.The current parking fee of $20 per each of two vehicles for daytime parking and $30 per each of two vehicle for nighttime parking has been in place for many years. With the availability of on-street parking being one of the most volatile neighborhood issues throughout much of the City of Lancaster, there should no distinction between the permit costs for the two allowed vehicles under the RPP program. If generating revenue is not the reason for the proposed second vehicle annual fee, as the consultant stated at the 7/30 public meeting, there should be no distinction between the two vehicle permits. The reality facing residents of Lancaster City is the need for families with working adults to have their personal vehicles to commute to and from their places of employment. With tax increases for City residents on the horizon, a parking fee increase will add to the financial burden of City residents, particularly those of low- and moderate income.

Diana Hurlburt2 years ago

Tene Darby2 years ago

Mel Grill2 years ago YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO COME AROUND AND TICKET THESE CARS WHO PARK HERE ALL THE TIME IF YOU CAN'T DO IT THEN TAKE IT DOWN OR A LOUD PEOPLE TO BUY THERE OWN PARKING SPOT SO WHEN THEY COME HOME THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE THERE PARKING SPOT I AM TIRED OF PARKING A BLOCK AWAY BECAUSE OUTSIDERS TAKE UP THE PARKING SPOT I PAID MY DUES AND I STILL CAN'T PARK OUT FRONT I BE WILLING TO PAY 100 DOLLARS A YEAR TO HAVE MY PARKING SPOT THINK HOW MUCH THE CITY WOULD MAKE PROSPECT ST

David Bender2 years ago As with many folks who have commented here, I often thought parking space lines would be helpful. However, they can sometimes make the problem worse. The standard length in most cities seems to be about 22 feet to accommodate variable vehicle size from 20-foot F150 Super Crews to 12-foot Mirages. It wastes space when a single Mini-Cooper is forced to park between lines that could almost handle two. Even though some people park with too much space now, it may be better than forcing everyone to park in a standard size. Maybe public education would be more effective than the lines. The other issue with lines is that it requires some common sense on the part of the line painters. They need to take into account where opening a car door is blocked by trees, sign posts, telephone poles, or other obstructions. Definitely the case on my street.

David Bender2 years ago I don't see a price listed in the recommendations for the Flexible Annual permit, which I understand would replace the Visitor Permit. Would it be considered a 2nd or 3rd permit and priced at $60 or $120? The existing visitor permits make more sense to me. They can be purchased for the exact amount of days required. For instance, I purchased them when friends stayed overnight for several days following some surgery I had. Without knowing how often or for how many days I might need a visitor permit each year, it would be difficult to pay $60 or $120.

Barbara MacDonald 2 years ago My husband and I have two recommendations to improve the current program: *When permits were first issued, vehicles were given windshield stickers to verify a car was “legal” for that designated area. This was helpful for enforcement, police, and residents as they could immediately determine if a vehicle belonged there and especially residents could tell if vehicles were abusing the program. EVERYONE I speak with that are in the program agree…we want window stickers. Also, we need much more frequent enforcement.

Karen Hoober2 years ago

Maggie Justes2 years ago

Megan Eshleman2 years ago How does it make sense for us to pay double for the second permit - when every single school day is an issue here? If you’re going to charge that kind of money, make it permit only and give us physical guest passes to park with. We have La Academia students in every spot, every single day. For years now, 2B struggles with parking nonstop - during the SCHOOL YEAR. I don’t know who built a school without a parking lot, but the kids park up the whole street at 7:45 but leave for a bit for lunch; so they manage to get away without a ticket almost every day. On street cleaning, they stay just long enough for us to get ticketed because we don’t have spots to park.

phillip ponticelli2 years ago

Ann Salmon2 years ago I am not sure what you mean by institutions. Businesses? Schools? Parks? Colleges? Universities? Museums? I live across from the dog park. We have : business ( West Art) museum (North Museum), Buchanan Park with dog park, bocce in the summer, school outings. F & M students and faculty already think Buchanan Ave is a great place to park, and they never get ticketed. There are times when there’s little activity, but more often the parking is difficult because of the above.

Tony Fisher2 years ago We're I live there is constantly multiple cars on the street and never get enforced. We even have evening parking. I think it's a joke and I wish they would just cancel it because I don't think it solves any parking problems. Just makes $ for the city. I have to call and even then nobody comes out. It's a waste of money. Every morning and night I watch people on my block drive around and park and then walk to who nows where. We have handicap people on the block who have to get a ride from their car. It's a terrible premise and I would like to know how to get rid of it

derek kinsey2 years ago The tiered renewal would change from $20 flat rate to $30, $60, and $120. Does this mean that a resident is penalized for living in the city for more than 3 years or more than 3 vehicles. Also, what if you own a motorcycle? They take up less parking but are subject to same rates.The bar The corner at Musser patrons creates dangerous crossings from Shippen st because of illegal parking on Chestnut st.

Mark Ratzlaff2 years ago We already pay some of the highest taxes in the state for the privilege to simply exist in this city, and somebody wants to more than double the parking fees for the average working couple? I pay over $6k per year for the right to stay in my tiny little falling-down row home ("Don't laugh, it's paid for!"), parking permits should be a RIGHT of homeowners, not yet another paid-for privilege. Comparing our little city's permit cost to that of ultra-dense metro areas like Hoboken (SIX times the population density of Lancaster) is laughable, and a little bit insulting.Of course, the point is moot without enforcement, as others have said; while LEOs continue to ignore all the double and triple parking in front of schools and all along Prince and Queen streets snarling traffic daily, having to park a block away from my home isn't at the top of my worry list.Don't get me wrong, as cities go... Lancaster is a great town, and it's easy to see why it has been topping "best of" lists in recent years, but the people who watched it get there are being priced out of it, including my family.Stop scrounging for fee revenue from the lower-middle class residents barely getting by, and just implement a progressive marginal income tax. Let the people responsible for gentrifying the city pay for what they've created.

Nate Fox2 years ago Certain Sections of Diatrict 4A should absolutely be permit only 24 hours a day. My side of my block is zoned residential and directly across the street is zoned commercial. Not to mention the 4 Airbnb’s on my tiny quarter block of 12 houses, my residence is completely surrounded by commercial space, including restaurants and bars that are open well into the evening. Do not even get me started on Rachel’s Cafe customers on Saturdays and Sundays. And yes, LPA should have enforcement available around the clock. Progressive pricing does make sense, but should also be based on total finished square footage of the property address on the block. If you have a bigger property, you in theory have more space to accommodate more people. 1 permit included for each increment of square footage. Any permit issued over and above that allotment costs progressively more?

unknown author2 years ago Limiting RPP: Supportive Parking Study: Supportive Increasing Zones: I believe this will benefit some areas and disadvantage other areas. Tired Fee: I am supportive in instances where there are 3 or more permits and when there is only 1 licensed driver. I agree with other residents that this will disproportionately impact 2 adult households. For example, two working adult households where both work outside of the city makes alternatives to having two cars unfortunately not feasible. Low Income Fee: Highly Supportive. Automates Enforcement: Supportive. Enforcement issues are a common theme across they board. There are significant issues in the 200 Block of E Lemon somewhat driven by household having excessive vehicles. Signage: Supportive Renewal + Visitors: Supportive of improving process/increasing permit period and digitization of visitor registration. I am also supportive of parking lines to ensure maximizing access to spaces.

Charles Walton2 years ago Penn Medicine takes up a lot of parking instead of using parking garage. I've actually witnessed it and I used to work there and they told me so. Plus more and more parking spaces are taken away in places where there aren't even blind spots to see pedestrians. Smh also putting lives in harms way with bicycle lanes between cars and sidewalks for us to get hit when entering and exiting vehicles. This city is more and more about the money period. We should do away with permit parking and have more free areas.

Alyssa Baldrich2 years ago

Heather Metzger2 years ago

Elle A2 years ago

Mark Long2 years ago I live on the 300 block of N. Lime St. Even with my street having a parking permit parking during the day is a challenge because of the erratic policy. The parking permit police will hit my street one week and not return for several weeks which allows non permit holders to park with impunity. The other problem is by moving your car a couple of feet you reset the 2 hr. Limit.Therefore before you make drastic changes start policy the permit parking streets regularly and at a greater frequency. You could also increase repeat offender fines to discourage the repeat offendersOne change I would suggest is the 2hr. Limit become more restrictive. You change it to a 2.hr. Limit per day. Which is easily enforced since you have been using license plates for several years

Dawn Beck2 years ago I live on West King Street I never have parking that I paid for very rarely I don't know how many cars is there that should be there but I don't have a parking spot when I come home from work or if I leave a little bit come back there's never parking people take up two spots they don't leave no empty spots it's crazy it's very annoying and frustrating that you pay for something and you can't even park there

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Residential Permit Parking Pilot Program Petition Meeting - Northwest
Event date: February 9th, 2026 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
Cabalar
24 registrants
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Residential Permit Parking Petition Meeting - Southeast
Event date: December 2nd, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
49 South Ann Street
6 registrants
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RPP Pilot Program: Northwest Neighborhood / Reunión de Permiso de Estacionamiento Residencial en el noroeste
Event date: July 23rd, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
Lancaster City Hall
21 registrants
Read more
RPP Pilot Program: Southeast Neighborhood / Reunión de Permiso de Estacionamiento Residencial en el Sureste
Event date: July 10th, 2025 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
49 South Ann Street
1 registrant
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November Traffic Commission: Plan Consideration
Event date: November 12th, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
120 North Duke Street
2 registrants
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Traffic Commission Meeting - RPP Update
Event date: September 10th, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
2 registrants
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Public Meeting: Review of Preliminary RPP Recommendations
Event date: July 30th, 2024 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
120 North Duke Street
5 registrants
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Online Residential Permit Parking Meeting
Event date: May 16th, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Online meeting
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Residential Permit Parking Public Open House (In-Person)
Event date: May 14th, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
120 North Duke Street
1 registrant
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Traffic Commission Meeting & RPP Presentation
Event date: May 14th, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
120 North Duke Street
1 registrant
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