Answer Woman: Is on-street parking forbidden downtown unless specifically designated?
ASHEVILLE - Today's burning question is about parking in downtown Asheville and how an unmarked street can mean stumbling into an unexpected traffic ticket. Got a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.
Question: I just got a parking ticket for "not a designated parking space." I parked at 21 Buxton Ave. in front of Green Man Eats. I looked for "no parking" signs and painted curbs — there were none, though some spaces were outlined with white paint on the opposite side of the street. I was careful not to park in front of the building's access driveways and I was clear of both garage doors and also of the walk-in door where there is no curb.
So my questions are these: Is on street parking forbidden in the South Slope unless specifically designated? Does this hold true in other areas? Is parking forbidden even when there is no signage to indicate that?
Answer: As it turns out, in the city's Central Business District, which encompasses downtown, including South Slope, it is "unlawful" to park on the street unless a sign, line or other marking designates that parking is allowed.
Unlike a foray onto most residential streets, a section of clear curb doesn't necessarily mean it's a safe bet.
Chris Cairns, a city traffic engineer, pointed to section 19-143 of the City Code, which says, essentially, that you can't park in violation of a sign or marking and that you aren't allowed to park in the Central Business District UNLESS there is a sign or marking indicating you can.
It's the only city zoning district specifically named in this area of of code.
On that stretch of Buxton Avenue, a somewhat narrow street in the South Slope where you can't throw an empty beer can without hitting a brewery, it's easy to see why someone would park there. The spot referenced by the reader, to the best I can figure, is an empty stretch of asphalt and concrete curb, pinned between an entrance to Green Man Eats and one of its garage doors.
Within a few hundred feet there are several spaces delineated by white brackets, plus paint marking fire zones and stretches of road in use as "streeteries."
It's especially easy to imagine the mistake because when I walked up on an October afternoon, there was someone parked there. As I was investigating (i.e., leaning against the building and taking notes on my phone) the car's occupants approached and drove away — ticket-free, I might add.
As I stood there a little longer, another car pulled up, seeming about as confused as I was, and lingered for a while, idling. Eventually, they pulled a U-ey and moved on to safer, less ambiguous waters.
As the reader mentioned, there are other locations where parking is prohibited citywide and/or statewide, sign or no sign, like sidewalks, in a crosswalk, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and in front of a private driveway.
These and others can be found listed in City Code section 19-137.
Violation of this section is considered an infraction and is subject to, as this reader found out, a $20 parking ticket. Other violations carry a heftier fine, like parking in a loading zone ($30), a handicapped zone ($250) and near a fire lane/hydrant ($50).
"Buxton Avenue is in the CBD and there are a variety of designations present along this street. There are parking spaces marked with pavement brackets, longer areas of available parking designated with signs, as well as fire lanes and loading zones that are signed and marked," Cairns said via email.
"There are also No Parking areas emphasized with markings and/or signs, which is typically done at locations with persistent violations."
Per the city's website, if you believe your parking citation was issued in error, you have the right to appeal it. Appeals must be submitted in writing. The quickest and easiest way to submit an appeal is to use the online Payments and Appeals Portal found at https://asheville.rmcpay.com/.
"The City of Asheville Transportation Department will review Buxton Avenue for opportunities to clarify areas where parking is allowed or not allowed," Cairns said.
If you're curious exactly what streets are designated as part of the CBD, visit https://avlmap.ashevillenc.gov. Select the layer "Asheville Zoning Districts," and the gray overlay across downtown will indicate its borders.
Where can you find on-street parking in downtown?
According to the city's website, metered parking is found throughout Asheville's Central Business District.
Parking meters are available for short-term parking usage, with a two-hour maximum limit. The rate for all meters is $1.50 per hour. Longer term parking is available in the city's parking lots and parking garages.
Payment at parking meters is required between 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Payment is not required on Sundays, nor designated City Holidays.
On-street permitted parking is also offered in several areas of downtown on a month-to-month, first come, first serve basis. Learn more at ashevillenc.gov/service/park-on-the-street.
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Woman: How do you navigate parking in downtown Asheville?
