Ann Arbor, MI Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
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.
If a residential area has excessive parking of vehicles not owned by residents of the area, the Administrator may, after notice to City Council, issue a traffic control order designating a residential parking district. The city shall install signs in a residential parking district indicating that parking time limits do not apply to vehicles with permits. After receiving evidence of residency within a parking district, the city shall issue permits for the vehicles of residents of the district. If a permit is displayed on a vehicle in accordance with the rules of the Transportation Department, it shall not be a violation to park it in excess of the time limits in the residential district named on the permit. The City Council may establish permit fees by resolution.
(Ord. No. 33-89, § 1, 6-5-89)
10:67. - Handicapper parking. No person shall park in a parking space clearly identified by an official sign as being reserved for use by handicappers, which is on public property or private property available to public use, unless the vehicle displays a handicapper registration plate or sticker issued pursuant to Act 300 of the Public Acts of 1949, as amended, or pursuant to section 10:62 of this Code, and unless the person is either a handicapper, as described in Section 19a of Public Act 300 of 1949, as amended, or is parking the vehicle for the benefit of a handicapper.
(Ord. No. 37-79, 7-16-79)
10:68. - Odd/even parking districts.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 10:66, if a residential area has excessive parking by vehicles not owned by area residents, the City Administrator may, after notifying City Council, issue a traffic control order designating a residential parking district. The city posts signs stating that time limits don't apply to permitted vehicles, then issues permits after residents show proof of residency. A vehicle properly displaying its permit isn't in violation for exceeding the district's normal time limits. City Council sets permit fees by resolution.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a neighborhood get a residential parking district in Ann Arbor?
Does a resident parking permit work anywhere in the city?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
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