ANAHEIM : Ban on Overnight Parking Considered

The city is considering a pilot program that would ban overnight parking in one neighborhood to see whether it helps reduce crime and eliminate overcrowded rental properties.

John Poole, the city’s code enforcement manager, said the neighborhood has not yet been selected for the program. He said it would be one where a majority of the residents are agreeable to the program and where there is sufficient off-street parking.

If the program--which needs approval by the City Council--is implemented, parking would be prohibited from 2 to 5 a.m. in the targeted neighborhood. Exceptions would be granted for handicapped residents, emergencies, out-of-town visitors and other unusual circumstances.

“It should help us identify those properties that are housing more people than they were designed for,” Poole said. “It should also help stop the practice of letting people live in the garage (a violation of city ordinances) and operating illegal businesses out of the garage.”

If the program works, it may be expanded to neighborhoods throughout the city, but not everywhere.

“Many of the older areas of the city were developed before ordinances were established requiring adequate parking, so it wouldn’t work,” Poole said.

Other cities that ban overnight parking include Brea and Fullerton.