City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 16, 2025
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: EMILY A. BAKER, P.E., DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Public Hearing. Consideration of Passage on Public Hearing of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 5-8-77 (PARKING PERMITS; ISSUANCE) of Article F (PERMIT PARKING DISTRICTS) 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.
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to increase the residential permit parking fees.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Introduce the proposed ordinance on first reading,
2. Set the ordinance for public hearing on Tuesday, April 22, 2025; and
3. Set it for second reading and final passage on April 30, 2025, with budget adoption.
BACKGROUND: The Code of Virginia authorizes jurisdictions to issue parking permits for motor vehicles parking on public streets, to set rates for the permits and to set their term of validity. In 1979, City Council designated certain areas in the City as residential permit parking districts and has added new areas over the years, including the most recent addition of parking districts east and west of the Potomac Yard Metro Station. Attachment 3 provides a map of the City’s residential permit parking districts.
The residential permit parking ordinance prohibits on-street parking for more than two or three hours during varying time periods, but vehicles displaying the appropriate parking permit are exempt from these restrictions. Only persons who maintain their residence within the boundaries of a permit parking district are eligible to obtain parking permits. Under Alexandria City Code Section 5-8-77, residents living in residential parking permits pay $40 for the first vehicle, $50 for the second vehicle, and $150 for the third and any subsequent vehicles.
DISCUSSION: The last increase to permits fees occurred in 2018 (Attachment 4). Staff proposes an escalating increase in permit fees as follows:
• First vehicle: $55 (+$15)
• Second vehicle: $75 (+$25)
• Additional vehicles: $250 (+$100)
In 2024, approximately 5,000 households received one permit, 1,700 households received two permits, and 350 households received three or more permits. There is no limit to the number of permits a household can purchase. The escalating permit fees would assess the smallest increase on the majority of households who purchase permits. The more significant increase of $100 to households with three or more permits would aim to incentivize households to consider whether they need to purchase a permit given the higher price. This annual fee is still well below the cost to park in most private garages, which typically cost $100-$250 a month. The proposed fees are slightly higher than permit fees for Arlington and Washington, DC, but consistent with fees charged in Annapolis, Maryland, which has similar parking constraints as Alexandria given the historic residential areas. See Attachment 5 for more details. Staff is also proposing to increase the permit fees for in-home childcare and healthcare providers from $150 to $250 to match the permit fee for additional vehicles.
The Traffic and Parking Board reviewed the proposed permit fee increase at their meeting on March 24, 2025, and voted 7-0 to recommend the Council approve the amendment to increase the fees. They noted the fees could be increased further to be more representative of the value of the parking space and recommended reviewing increases to the permit fees more frequently.
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed increase in permit fees would generate additional revenue totaling approximately $200,000 annually, assuming the same number of permits are purchased. However, this figure may be less as fewer people choose to purchase a permit given the increased permit fee. The cost to administer this change is already accounted for in existing permit administration.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: RPP Ordinance Cover
Attachment 2: RPP Ordinance
Attachment 3: Residential Permit Parking Districts Map
Attachment 4: Permit Fee History
Attachment 5: Permit Fees in Other Jurisdictions
STAFF:
Emily A. Baker, P.E., Deputy City Manager
Hillary Orr, Deputy Director, T&ES
Katye North, Division Chief, T&ES, Mobility Services
Lindsay Dubin, Assistant City Attorney
Sheila McGraw, Principal Planner, T&ES, Mobility Services