Cincinnati will begin accepting applications Monday for residential parking permits in Over-the-Rhine.
The program is scheduled to go into effect January 1.
But Dan Fortinberry, the city’s parking division manager, said enforcement won't begin right away.
"As of January 1, every vehicle that is parked in a residential area will be issued a notice versus a citation, which gives them all the information on where they're parked, and how to obtain a permit if they need one," Fortinberry said. "And if they're just a visitor, it gives them grace as far as not receiving a citation."
This grace period is to last 30 days.
Standard permits will cost $60 a year, and there's also an option of $25 a year for those residents who qualify as low income. People who want the lower-priced permit will have to show proof of residency in subsidized housing by providing a lease agreement or voucher.
Mary Rivers with Over-the-Rhine Community Housing praises that option, which includes other approaches to qualify.
"I think that these additional ways won't add any administrative burden, but it will simplify the process, so people can demonstrate that they're eligible," Rivers said.
OTR residents will have to show proof they live in the neighborhood and proof they own a vehicle. The permits are limited to one per person and two per dwelling unit.
Residents in the program will get a decal to place on their front windshield.
The residential parking program covers the southern portion of OTR, which runs east along Liberty, south on Sycamore, west on Central Parkway and north on Central Parkway back to Liberty.
Signs have been posted in OTR designating areas for residential parking. There are no defined spaces, but there's room for 500 vehicles. It's first-come, first-served.
The city had installed additional parking meters and multi-space kiosks in the same area to visitors, who are not permitted to park in zones designated for residential permits.
City Council approved the OTR residential parking permit program in September.
