CLASSIC CAR STORAGE: ARE NEW CITY RULES GOING TOO FAR?
You’re definitely not alone in feeling like the city’s approach is a bit too rigid. It’s odd how the system doesn’t seem to care if a car is spotless and clearly being looked after—just that it hasn’t moved. I get that they want to keep the streets clear of junkers, but it does seem like there should be a way to distinguish between a neglected vehicle and, say, someone’s classic car that only gets driven on weekends.
Honestly, I’ve done the “move it a foot” routine myself. It feels ridiculous, but the alternative is risking a ticket or worse. The rules might make sense on paper, but in practice, they don’t really account for people who are actually maintaining their cars. Maybe there could be some sort of permit or inspection process for folks who can prove their car isn’t abandoned? Not sure how practical that would be, but it seems fairer than just relying on how many days a car’s been parked.
It’s frustrating, but you’re right—there’s room for more nuance here.
I get wanting more nuance, but honestly, as someone who circles for parking every day, I kind of see why the city keeps it simple. Here’s how I look at it:
- If they start making exceptions for “well-maintained” cars or classic vehicles, enforcement gets messy fast. Who decides what’s a classic or what’s just an old car someone likes?
- Permits or inspections sound good in theory, but that’s more paperwork and probably more fees. Plus, it could be abused—people might claim their car is a “collector’s item” just to avoid moving it.
- Street parking is already super limited in a lot of neighborhoods. If folks are using public spots for long-term storage (even if the car is nice), that’s one less space for people who actually need to park daily.
I totally get the frustration—moving your car a few feet just to dodge a ticket is silly. But from a commuter’s perspective, I’d rather see turnover than have spots tied up by cars that barely move. Maybe off-street storage or garages are better for classics? Not perfect, but seems more fair to everyone using the streets.
Totally agree—if you start making exceptions for “special” cars, it’s just gonna turn into a headache for everyone. I get that classic car owners love their rides, but public streets aren’t meant to be free storage. I’ve spent way too much time circling for a spot, only to see the same dusty old Mustang sitting there for weeks. If you want to keep a car as a collector’s item, maybe it’s time to invest in a garage or storage unit. Otherwise, it’s just not fair to people who actually need to park and go about their day.
public streets aren’t meant to be free storage
That’s a fair point, but I wonder—where do we draw the line between “storage” and just not driving your car much? Some folks only take their classics out on weekends or for special events. Should there be a time limit, like if a car hasn’t moved in X days, it needs to go? Or would that just create more hassle for everyone?
where do we draw the line between “storage” and just not driving your car much?
That’s tricky. My neighbor’s got an old Mustang he only moves for parades or when his grandkids visit. It sits for weeks, but it’s not like he’s using the street as a junkyard. On the other hand, I’ve seen cars with cobwebs on the tires that haven’t budged in months. Would a rule based on how often you move your car just punish folks who don’t drive much, even if they’re not really “storing” it? What about people who travel for work or have to leave town for a bit—do they get a pass, or is it one rule for all?
