Renting a parking space by the month is less hassle than getting parking tickets

For those of us who live in or commute to the city, finding parking can be a nightmare. Daily rates are steep and climbing and it’s hard to tell, at times, the rules for valid street parking. Luckily, tickets are not set in stone as there are some circumstances where they can be reduced or canceled entirely. The world of parking is also seeing new innovation through apps that may reduce the monthly bill.

Disputing a Parking Ticket

Renting a parking space in the city usually means either a parking garage or street parking. If it’s private parking, there is usually a fee involved for the day, though some garages offer discounts for monthly holders. Those who miss out on getting a good spot because the lot is full, however, must take their chances with street parking, which automatically means tempting the fates for a parking ticket. Parking tickets issued by municipal parking enforcement officers do have to be paid but don’t automatically assume that the city is right in slapping a ticket on a windshield. Even on the street, filling up the meter is effectively like renting a parking space for the duration of the stay. Parking tickets can be appealed and for those who take the initiative to do so, a large percentage see fines being overturned. Depending on the city and country laws, the exact time frame for appealing the ticket, as well as the process of appeal and contact, may be different. Make sure to appeal while in that set time and no additional fines should be levied. Of course, don’t pay up immediately because payment is an admission of “guilt”.

Private Property: Renting a Parking Space in the City

Renting a parking space long-term is a smarter avenue to take than going through the hassle of trying to find a spot every day. Even those looking to buy parking spots are finding themselves quickly priced out of the market and monthly or annual parking spots are becoming coveted little pieces of real estate. In this kind of environment, innovation and disruption always breaks through with a creative solution — and, in this case, it’s the new approach to monthly parking that lets drivers rent out empty parking spots on someone’s driveway! Thanks to Uber and AirBnb’s sharing economy principle, homeowners are finding themselves in great demand when it comes to giving up a spot on their driveway for a tidy sum every month. For those renting a parking space from homeowners, the benefits are real and obvious: no hassle looking for a spot and no likelihood of even getting a ticket, let alone having to go through the trouble of appealing one. Renting private driveway parking spots is an informal arrangement finally formalized through apps like Rover Parking or Park Easier. And, like ZipCar, drivers can rent by the hour, day, week or month without having to bow down to exorbitant daily rates. It’s a true win-win.