Ann Arbor's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Abandoned Vehicles

Ann Arbor lets the City Administrator tag a vehicle that appears abandoned on public or private property; if it's not moved within 48 hours it's deemed abandoned and can be taken into custody.

Key details: Notice trigger: appears abandoned, any property. Removal window: 48 hours after notice affixed. Outcome: deemed abandoned, taken into custody. Authority: City Administrator. Legal basis: State Motor Vehicle Code § 252a/252b.

Leaving a tagged vehicle past the 48-hour window violates § 10:136(4); the city may impound it under § 10:139, billing the owner for towing and storage.

Preferential Parking Districts

Ann Arbor's City Administrator can designate residential parking districts where excessive non-resident parking is a problem, exempting permitted resident vehicles from the posted time limits.

Key details: Trigger: excessive non-resident parking. Who authorizes: City Administrator, after Council notice. Mechanism: traffic control order + signage. Benefit: permit holders exempt from time limit. Fees: set by City Council resolution.

Parking without a valid district permit past the posted time limit is a standard civil infraction under the parking fine schedule set out in § 10:77.

Loading Zones

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:147 lets a rider park a personal mobility vehicle, such as an e-scooter, on a street anywhere motor vehicles may park, at any angle to the curb and abreast of another device. The city may seize and impound one left in the street if it impedes traffic, breaks a posted control, or stays more than 72 hours.

Key details: Parking allowed: Any location where parking is allowed for motor vehicles. Position: Any angle to the curb; abreast of another personal mobility vehicle. Abandonment threshold: More than 72 hours. Consequence: Seizure and impoundment. Recovery: Proof of ownership and city-set fee, § 10:147(9).

Impoundment, not a fine, is the primary consequence; owners must present proof of ownership and pay a city-set fee to recover an impounded device under § 10:147(9).

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Ann Arbor caps parking of trucks and buses over 5,500 pounds or 22 feet on residential streets at 3 hours between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless the vehicle is actively providing a service in the area.

Key details: Weight threshold: >5,500 lbs empty weight. Length threshold: >22 feet. Time limit: 3 hours max. Curfew window: 8 p.m.–8 a.m.. Exemption: vehicles actively servicing area.

Civil infraction under the parking fine schedule adopted by City Council resolution (§ 10:77); each additional 3-hour period over the limit is a separate offense.

Snow Removal Parking Rules

Ann Arbor's City Administrator can declare an on-street snow parking ban on some or all streets ahead of snow or freezing rain, giving at least 12 hours' public notice before it takes effect.

Key details: Who declares: City Administrator. Notice lead time: at least 12 hours. Notice channels: radio, CTN, social media, website. Exemptions: disability plates, no-driveway blocks. Ends: only by Administrator's announcement.

Parking on a street during an active ban is a civil infraction under the parking fine schedule referenced in § 10:77 (citing § 10:143(1)).

Street Parking Limits

Ann Arbor City Code § 10:56 bans stopping or parking on sidewalks, in front of driveways or within 4 feet of each side of a driveway with a curb cut, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, and in other listed places, even where no sign is posted.

Key details: Driveway buffer: 4 feet from curb cut. Hydrant buffer: 15 feet. Hydrant exception: Operator remains in the vehicle. Crosswalk buffer: 20 feet. Curb distance (§ 10:50): Within 12 inches of the right-hand curb.

Violations are civil parking infractions ticketed by Ann Arbor Police or Community Standards Officers; blocking a driveway or hydrant is enforceable even absent posted signage.

The Bottom Line

Ann Arbor's parking rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Ann Arbor is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Ann Arbor's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.