City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Article G (PARKING METERS) of Chapter 8 (PARKING AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS) of Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
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ISSUE: Consideration of an amendment to streamline and facilitate the application and recertification procedures for disability parking on residential blocks.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1. Introduce and pass on first reading Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the ordinance (Attachment 2) amending the City Code to modify the procedures for applying for and recertifying disability parking spaces on residential streets;
2. Set the ordinance for public hearing and final passage on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
BACKGROUND: The City allows residents with disabilities to request an on-street parking space to be designated for disability parking in areas where off-street parking is not available. Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) is responsible for reviewing applications for new on-street disability parking spaces on residential blocks as well as the annual recertification of existing ones. City Code Section 5-8-117 outlines the application and recertification procedures for these spaces and was last updated in 2001.
Staff has received several complaints about the cumbersome procedure for applying for and recertifying disability parking spaces on residential blocks that requires an applicant to provide more information than is necessary to make a determination. The outdated procedure requires residents with limited mobility to furnish documents that could be obtained electronically. Given technological advancements over the last 25 years and the prevalence of computer ownership and internet access, the procedure laid out in the City Code is now partially obsolete. The complex paper- and mail-based procedure also expends an excessive amount of staff’s time and resources. Many steps of the application and recertification procedures place undue burden on applicants as well as staff, and waivers to the application approval requirements require a formal memo to be reviewed and signed by the City Manager. Requiring the City Manager to approve waivers for this program prolongs the process for residents and expends the City Manager’s valuable and limited time.
DISCUSSION: Staff have coordinated internally to propose changes to the existing section of City Code to address the issues mentioned above. The amendment includes:
• Expanding the eligibility to applicants living in any dwelling type, not just single family, duplex, or townhouses, where off-street parking does not exist or is not feasible for use by the applicant. This eliminates the need for applicants living in a multifamily building without off-street parking to bring their request before the Traffic and Parking Board for consideration, which can delay action on their request and take more staff time for review.
• Providing staff with more flexibility regarding the siting of these spaces to meet ADA and Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) requirements as needed.
• Removing the requirement for applicants to supply separate medical certification/information with their application. This information is already part of the review process with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when obtaining a DMV disabled parking license plate or placard, which the applicant is required to provide when submitting the City’s application. This would also remove the need for a separate cumbersome staff procedure to keep this personal information confidential and safe.
• Removing the requirement to obtain a waiver for the block face limit and adding a cap to the number of disability parking spaces permitted on a given block that is relative to the block’s parking supply. This allows for more than more space on blocks that have more parking than standard blocks. The current waiver process requires staff to write a memo for review by the City Manager, which can delay action on their request and take more staff time for review.
• Delegating the waiver authority from the City Manager to the Director of T&ES or their designee. This will streamline the approval process for these requests, which are typically approved by the City Manager if recommended by staff.
• Requiring applicants to recertify the existing disability parking spaces every two years instead of annually. This can be a time-consuming process which can still be effectively addressed every two years.
• Decreasing the minimum time required before removing a non-recertified disability parking space from 75 days down to 45 days. This returns general parking back to the block quicker when the space is no longer needed.
• Clarifying the verbiage to further protect applicants from the removal of a disability parking space in the event of reported misuse of the space if the misuse can be reliably attributed to someone other than the applicant and their visitors.
• Updating all outdated and redundant information and language.
Staff recommends approval of these changes to the City Code. This will create a more efficient process for residents and staff, which ensures residents who need the designated parking spaces can be accommodated more quickly.
The Traffic and Parking Board reviewed staff’s proposal at their September 28, 2026, meeting and voted unanimously without discussion to recommend that the City Council approve the amendment to City Code as written.
If approved by City Council, the updated procedures proposed by staff would be effective immediately to the benefit of both residents and staff.
Staff also coordinated with the Office of Human Rights and the Commission on Persons with Disabilities on these proposed changes to the Code. Both organizations are supportive of the proposed changes, and their feedback and suggestions have been addressed accordingly as appropriate.
FISCAL IMPACT: Approving this proposal would have no fiscal impact on the City. The updated procedures would save staff time and reduce funds expended on postage and paper products, and disability spaces would continue to be provided to residents at no direct cost. There is no fee to apply for nor to recertify a disability parking space, and the only costs of implementing this program-whether these procedures are updated or not-are already managed and will continue to be managed by existing T&ES staff. These costs include:
• Staff time to review applications,
• Staff time to conduct the recertification process,
• The fabrication of disability parking signage, and
• The installation and removal of disability parking signage and signposts.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Cover
2. Ordinance
3. Presentation
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, T&ES, Transportation
Alicia Wright, Assistant Director, T&ES, Administrative Services
Lindsay Dubin, Assistant City Attorney, CAO
Katye North, Division Chief, T&ES, Mobility Services
Sheila McGraw, Principal Planner, T&ES, Mobility Services
Max Devilliers, Urban Planner, T&ES, Mobility Services