Pontiac, MI Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

Pontiac created its residential parking permit program specifically to manage traffic around the former Pontiac Silverdome, at City Code §§ 114-131 through 114-142. Section 114-131 states the purpose: to reduce hazardous traffic, protect residential districts from pollution, noise and trash, and preserve safety, property values and neighborhood character during major Silverdome events. Section 114-132 defines a residential permit parking area as an area the City Council designates by resolution where parking is restricted to residents only, for hours the chief of police posts. Section 114-133 requires the Council to find, before designating an area, that it sits near the Silverdome, has experienced major event congestion, and is a zoned residential district.

Section 114-134 lists prohibited conduct: parking without a permit during designated hours, lending a permit to someone else, falsifying an application, refusing to surrender a misused or expired permit, and knowingly displaying a permit the holder is not entitled to use. Section 114-135 lets the chief of police close a permit area to all but permit holders on event days when he expects serious congestion, with signs posted accordingly. Sections 114-136 through 114-142 govern administration: permits go only to residents registered to a vehicle address inside the area, applicants must show a Michigan driver's license and vehicle registration to the Mayor's office, permits last no more than one year but may be renewed, the City Council sets the fee by resolution, permits cannot be transferred or sold for consideration, and each permit must be displayed in the left corner of the vehicle's rear window.