Bloomington, IN Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum clear roadway
- 12 feet for traffic movement
- Wrong-way parking
- Must face direction of lawful traffic
- Violation class
- Class D Traffic Violation
- Fine
- $30.00, rising to $60.00 if unpaid
- Appeal window
- 14 calendar days to city clerk
- Enforcing authority
- Bloomington Police Department / parking enforcement
Summary
In the City of Bloomington, Municipal Code Section 15.32.140 keeps a full travel lane open: no vehicle may park on a street, other than an alley, leaving less than twelve feet of roadway width for other traffic. Section 15.32.170 separately requires every parked car to face the direction of lawful traffic movement, banning wrong-way parking. Both are Class D Traffic Violations carrying a $30.00 fine, rising to $60.00 if unpaid within fourteen days, under Section 15.64.010(d).
No person shall park any vehicle upon a street, other than an alley, in such a manner or under such conditions as to have available less than twelve feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic. ... No person shall stand or park a vehicle on the street or roadway other than in the direction of lawful traffic movement. ... (d)Class D Traffic Violations (Most parking violations). Fine: ... On and After January 1, 2019: $30.00, $60.00 depending on when paid Covers: ... 15.32.140 Obstructing traffic ... 15.32.170 Parking facing traffic ... (2)A person may appeal the issuance of a traffic violation citation and corresponding fine provided the appeal is filed with the city clerk's office within fourteen calendar days immediately following the issuance date of the traffic violation citation.
Full Breakdown
Bloomington regulates on-street parking through two separate sections of the traffic code. 140, "Obstructing traffic," bars parking any vehicle on a street, other than an alley, in a manner or under conditions that leave less than twelve feet of the roadway width available for the free movement of vehicular traffic; a car parked so it narrows a two-lane street below that twelve-foot clearance is illegal even where no sign is posted. 16, violates this section regardless of whether the roadway is otherwise blocked. 00 if not.
010(d)(2) gives the registered owner, or a person legally responsible for the vehicle, fourteen calendar days from the citation date to appeal to the city clerk's office; the city clerk, the parking enforcement manager or the parking services director can reduce a fine to a warning or void the citation for extenuating circumstances, and their decision is final subject to judicial review under Indiana law. 175 add that where marked parallel spaces exist, wheels must sit within one foot of the curb, reinforcing the same direction-of-travel requirement.
Violations & Fines
Blocking a Bloomington street to less than twelve feet of clear roadway width violates Section 15.32.140; parking a car facing the wrong way relative to traffic violates Section 15.32.170. Both are Class D Traffic Violations under Section 15.64.010(d): a $30.00 fine if paid within fourteen days, jumping to $60.00 if not. The registered owner has fourteen calendar days to appeal to the city clerk's office before the fine is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
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