Photo: Ford, Brad
In light of the unexpected, record snowfall that caused a tremendous hardship for the traveling public, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) today declared that it will not issue parking citations for vehicles that overstay parking time limits at parking meters and at other public parking spaces with time limits.
The bureau will not issue citations for vehicles that are towed for blocking a travel lane or impeding access (savings of $270), however, vehicle owners will be responsible for all towing charges and fees.
The City of Portland’s Snow and Ice Plan discourages private vehicle use and encourages public transit use instead. The Wednesday afternoon snow was far earlier and heavier than forecast, so thousands of people and many emergency response agencies including PBOT were not able to adequately warn the public about the potential for the sudden, widespread disruption.
Parking citations for overstaying time limits and meters will not be issued, effective immediately through noon on Saturday, Feb. 25.
To encourage people to leave their vehicles legally parked and consider delaying travel, PBOT will allow cars to remain parked without penalty in meter districts and in areas without meters where there are time limits. Parking enforcement officers will not issue citations for staying too long at a meter or a parking space with a time limit.
Any vehicle parked illegally may face a tow, especially any vehicle blocking a travel lane or public transit route. During snow and ice emergencies, PBOT prioritizes routes for public transit, and police, fire and medical first responders. Abandoned vehicles that block travel lanes can slow down emergency responders and the snowplow operators who make safe passage for them.
Source: Portland Bureau of Transportation