Students and other non-residents cannot park for more than two hours in many neighborhoods surrounding campus due to the Residential Parking Permit Program.

In 2014, the city of Fort Collins began implementing a resident-petitioned parking program that has spread to seven neighborhoods, five of which surround Colorado State University’s campus.

The program allows two hour parking for non-residents in all of the neighborhoods with the exception of Sheely Subdivision, which lies south of Prospect Road and west of Whitcomb Street. Cars caught parked for more than two hours without a permit are issued a $25 ticket.

There have been problems regarding non-residents, many of whom have been CSU students and people who work at nearby businesses, parking in front of houses.

Jamie Moyer, Residential Parking Services Coordinator for the city, said she has received many complaints from residents about not being able to park in front of their houses.

“People come home with groceries or from work and they have to walk two or three blocks,” Moyer said.

The neighborhoods are:

• Sheely Subdivision: South of Prospect Road and west of Whitcomb Street.
• Mantz Subdivision: Between Mulberry Street and Laurel Street and between Shields Street and Washington Ave.
• University North Neighborhood: Between Mulberry Street and Laurel Street and between Washington Ave and Mason Street.
• Historic Fort Collins High School Neighborhood: Area surrounding the University Center for the Arts between Edwards Street and Prospect Roade and between Remington Street and Peterson Street
• Old Town West Neighborhood: Between Oak Street and Mulberry Street and between Grant Ave and Canyon Ave.
• Spring Court: West of College Ave. and South of Prospect Road
• Old Prospect Subdivision: Between Prospect Road and Stuart Street and between College Ave and Mathews Street.

Despite some complaints, Moyer said the program has received a lot of positive feedback from residents.

“The only drawback I’ve seen is the cost (of permits),” Moyer said. “The residents don’t like that they have to pay, but it’s very inexpensive.”

Moyer said there are permit costs so Parking Services can help pay for the costs associated with implementing the program.

Households can obtain up to five permits for five vehicles. The first permit is free and every additional car has an annual fee, which increases with each car added, of $15, $40, $100 and $200.

Car registration, a driver’s license and a bill or a bank statement must be submitted to the city in order to prove residency.

Residents can obtain guest permits as well. A guest permit for parking up to a 24 hour period is free, and one for up to 15 days is $10. People who work at nearby businesses also can get up to five permits and the prices are the same as they are for residents.

Implementing the program begins with complaints to Fort Collins Parking Services and a resident petition to get it implemented in a neighborhood. Then, the city performs an occupancy study to determine how often streets in a neighborhood are filled with foreign cars. The streets have to be occupied at least 70 percent of the time. If they are, Parking Services meets with residents from the neighborhood to discuss the program. Lastly, a ballot is sent out to residents. At least 51 percent of residents have to approve the program.

There are several more neighborhoods where the program could be implemented according to Moyer. They include the neighborhoods north of the UCA and east of College Avenue. A the neighborhood west of campus surrounding Bennet Elementary School is currently petitioning for the program.

Moyer encouraged CSU students and others to use means of transportation other than cars. She said the city has done a great job making CSU campus accessible with bicycle infrastructure and the bus systems.

“We prefer people to take the MAX, Transfort (or) ride bikes,” Moyer said.

For more information on the Residential Parking Permit Program and maps of neighborhoods: www.fcgov.com/parking

Collegian reporter MQ Borocz can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @MQBorocz22.