Tempe, AZ Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)

Article IX of Chapter 19 (Movement and Traffic), the general code's residential permit parking scheme, starts with a two-step test. Under Section 19-111 the City Manager may designate a residential area or areas, but only subject to approval by the City Council, and the designation can restrict parking in whole or in part to vehicles carrying a valid permit issued to residents of that area. Section 19-112 sets the eligibility bar: an area qualifies only where the Traffic Engineer finds that parking in the area is significantly impacted by motor vehicles owned by nonresidents, so a neighborhood cannot self-nominate without that documented impact finding.

Once Council approves a district, Section 19-113 has the Traffic Engineer issue permits and post signs stating the times and conditions permits apply; a permit goes only to the owner or operator of a vehicle who resides on property immediately adjacent to a permitted street, remains City property, is tied to a single vehicle, and cannot be sold, transferred or reassigned. Service and delivery vehicles clearly marked with a company name or logo are exempt while actually working in the area. Section 19-114 lets the City Manager set an annual permit fee, with Council approval, to cover administrative costs, and Section 19-116 fixes where the sticker or hangtag must be displayed: permanently on the driver's-side rear bumper or the lower driver's-side corner of the rear window, with a temporary visitor placard placed on the dashboard without covering the VIN. The article traces to Ordinance No. 45 from July 10, 1986, with the permit-visibility rule added by Ordinance No. 22 in August 2019.