Parking Information

How does a Residential Parking Permit District become established?

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved the Residential Parking Permit Program in April 1990 to address the negative impacts neighborhoods can experience as a result of too many non-resident vehicles using local streets for parking. This program has mainly served to address issues in the downtown and University of Kentucky area. LEXPARK's policy is to perform a parking study of the street(s) in question and report findings to the Council. The establishment of a residential parking permit district can be a valuable tool for neighborhoods to enhance safety and the appearance of their street.

Once a study and report has been completed, LEXPARK reports findings to the Council Services Committee, which meets on the first Monday of every month. It is at this meeting where a decision is made to deny or implement a Residential Parking Permit District. All affected neighbors are contacted before the meeting to insure that they have a chance to speak on the issue if so desired.

If the RPP District is approved, it is LEXPARK's responsibility to determine the locations for signs that will be installed on the street to notify motorists of the change in parking.

LEXPARK’s study complies with guidelines as stated in the Procedures on Request to Establish a Residential Parking Permit Program adopted by the Urban County Council on April 11, 1990 by Resolution 168-90. In short, it is requires that a minimum of 75% of the parking spaces on the street in question be occupied with a minimum of 25% of the occupied spaces be utilized by non-residents of the area. The time the study will take place will vary but will take into consideration the major traffic generators potentially causing the problem. Different times and days of the week will be included in the study to give a feel of the impact non-resident motorists have on the area in question.

Once a RPP District has been approved by the Urban County Council it must go through the required public readings before it is adopted by Resolution. At the time of Resolution, the Division of Police (Enforcement) and LEXPARK (Enforcement, Permits and Signage) will be informed. Signage is then ordered and installed by LEXPARK. Once the signs have been installed, LEXPARK and the Division of Police can cite motorists without a valid permit. Penalties include a fine of $50.00 and up to three days imprisonment.

In order to qualify for a permit, you must be a resident of the street. Each household can acquire two (2) primary permits that must always be used with the same vehicle and two (2) guest permits that can be used by visitors (30 day limit on guest permits). Each permit costs $10.00 and is valid from September 1st through August 31st of the year. Permits can be purchased at the LEXPARK office (114 N. Upper Street) or by going on-line to www.lexpark.org. Applicants must have two (2) forms of I.D. One must be a picture I.D. with the address and the other must have the name of the applicant and the address. Valid forms of I.D. include licenses, utility bills, etc.

What Areas are Currently Residential Parking Permit Districts?

Currently there are twenty-seven (27) residential parking permit districts in Fayette County. These include:

• Pralltown Area (Winnie, Prall, Montmullin, and Colfax Streets)
• South Hill Area (300 block of South Upper Street, 300-600 block of South Mill Street, 200 block of Cedar and Pine, 400 – 500 block of Lawrence)
• Bullock Place
• Montclair
• Market Street (200 block)
• South Hanover Street (300 S. Side)
• Hagerman Court
• Spring Street (421-429)
• Oldham Avenue (400 block)
• Transylvania Park (300 block)
• Park Avenue (500 block)
• Orchard Avenue
• Forest Park
• Park Avenue (300 Block)
• Kentucky Court
• Southpoint Drive (600 Block)
• Marquis Avenue
• Floral Park
• Oldham Aveneue
• South Hanover (300 N. Side)
• New Street & North Mill Street (200 block)
• Pin Oak Drive
• Montclair Drive
• Foreman Avenue
• Summit Drive
• South Hill (new)
• Pennslyvania Court

What Procedures are required to initiate a Parking Study?

In order to begin the process of determining whether a street is a good candidate for a Residential Parking Permit District, a petition must be signed by a minimum of 65% of the property owners/residents on the street or block in question. A map can be provided by LEXPARK showing which properties are included in the proposed RPP District Area. Once this petition has been received, a study will be scheduled. This study may take 6 to 8 weeks to complete and will look at all factors that may contribute to the problem(s) identified by the applicant.

What are the legal documents that are used to insure compliance with a Residential Parking Permit District?

Lexington’s Code of Ordinances includes provisions for residential parking permit districts. The following is the portion of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to RPP Districts:

1. When signs are erected or placed giving notice that a residential parking permit area has been established pursuant to resolution of the urban county council, no person shall park a vehicle in any such space so designated for more than the time period specified on such signs, unless the vehicle displays a parking permit authorized by that resolution.
2. Any vehicle parked in violation of subsection (1) above is declared to be a public nuisance, and any police officer or safety officer of the urban county government is authorized to cause the same to be removed to and impounded in a depository named by the urban county government for such purpose.
3. No person shall fail to surrender a residential parking permit when directed to do so.
4. No person shall represent in any fashion that a vehicle is entitled to a residential parking permit authorized by resolution of the urban county council when it is not so entitled. The display of a residential parking permit on a vehicle not entitled to such a residential parking permit shall constitute such a representation.
5. No person shall duplicate, or attempt to duplicate, by any means, a residential parking permit authorized by resolution of the urban county council. The display of such a duplicate residential parking permit on a vehicle shall constitute such a duplication.
6. Any person violating any provision of this section shall, upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction, be fined not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for each violation. Persons violating any of the provisions shall be fined not less than eight dollars ($8.00); however, if any citation for violation of this section remains unpaid for thirty (30) days from the date thereof, the fine shall not be less than sixteen dollars ($16.00).

(Ord. No. 57-90, § 1, 4-5-90; Ord. No. 101-90, § 1, 5-31-90; Ord. No. 230-91, § 2, 11-14-91)

A pamphlet entitled “Procedure on Requests to Establish a Residential Parking Permit Program” is also available that gives more detail about the Residential Parking Permit Program. If you would like to receive a copy please contact the LEXPARK office at 231-PARK or by e-mailing info@lexpark.org.