For Immediate Release: Monday, August 28, 2017
Residents in County Residential Parking Permit Program
to Receive Parking Permit Stickers for Vehicles
After Councilmembers raise issues with the online system of parking permits, the County’s Department of Transportation responds
ROCKVILLE, Md., August 28—The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will issue physical parking permits to all vehicles registered in the County’s Residential Parking Program (RPP), at the request of several Councilmembers.
In response to residents’ frustrations with the County’s Department of Transportation’s online registration system for the Residential Parking Program, Council President Roger Berliner and Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, Tom Hucker and Sidney Katz sent a letter to MCDOT requesting physical parking permits for vehicles. Councilmember Elrich wrote the July 21 letter, which pointed out that online registration of parking permits does not allow neighbors to tell visually whether a parked car is there with or without a permit. A physical permit allows residents to visually assess compliance.
"I am pleased that MCDOT has agreed to revise their residential parking permit program to address resident concerns. Approximately a year ago, my office began hearing complaints and concerns about changes that had been made to the residential parking program, and my staff and I had multiple meetings and communications trying to resolve the issues. Most recently, four of my colleagues joined me in writing to Al Roshdieh, the Director of DOT, asking for specific changes. I appreciate my colleagues joining me in this effort, and I appreciate Director Roshdieh for understanding the concerns and implementing the changes," Councilmember Elrich said.
MCDOT has agreed to print and mail physical permits to all vehicles registered in the digital permit program. The department will also provide instructions on how to affix the parking registration sticker to the windshield of the vehicle.
Residents with visitors can either obtain a physical permit at one of the parking sales stores during normal business hours, or request that one be mailed to them. Councilmembers were concerned that the digital visitor permits were creating unnecessary hassles for residents’ visitors. Households that opt for a physical visitor permit will no longer be able to obtain a digital visitor permit.
MCDOT switched over to digital residential parking permits in 2015. The residential parking program has been in effect for more than 40 years. It was initiated to provide relief for residents whose neighborhoods are impacted by certain public facilities, land uses and adjacent commercial districts.
The July 21 letter that Councilmembers sent to MCDOT can be found at:
MCDOT’s Aug. 16 response can be found at:
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Release ID: 17-261