Students’ guide to a Bloomington city parking pass

You’ve just gotten settled into your new apartment or house. You’ve finally found a spot in your new place for all the clothes, decorations and furniture you thought you needed (but probably didn’t).

You’re done, right? Wrong.

Where do you park your car without getting a ticket? The City of Bloomington offers inexpensive residential parking permits you can purchase to park your car in peace, but the process can be daunting for people who don’t know the regulations.

This is your guide to the process.  

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
Anyone who lives in a house or apartment in one of the city’s ten neighborhood parking zones is eligible to purchase a permit for that zone. The zones cover most of Bloomington where students live, so most students should be eligible. Downtown is not included in the neighborhood parking program.

Students that live on campus are not eligible for this permit.

To see maps of the zones or check your eligibility, go to bloomington.in.gov and click “Transportation.”

THINGS YOU’LL NEED:
If you or your parents own your house, you will need a recent utility bill or property tax statement in the name of the person purchasing the permit. It must show the address of the house where you will park.

Renters need to provide a copy of their current lease.

All applicants need to provide a copy of their current vehicle registration.

WHERE TO GO:
Go to City Hall at 401 N. Morton St. The Parking Services office is located in suite 120.

COST:
Neighborhood parking permits cost $25 per car, per year. Permits expire Aug. 15 each year.

VISITOR PERMITS:
Visitor permits cost $25. They can be purchased by the resident of an apartment within the zone that will be visited.

RESTRICTIONS:
People with parking permits are allowed to park only within the zone they purchased the permit for. If someone bought a permit for Zone 2, for example, they would get a ticket if they park in Zone 4.

Once a permit has been purchased, the motorist may park their car anywhere in their permit zone.

Parking rules in neighborhood parking zones are enforced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parking rules are not enforced Saturday and Sunday in neighborhood parking zones.

People who park their cars illegally in one of the neighborhood parking zones are subject to an escalating fine starting at $20. If the fine is not paid within seven days, the fine doubles.

— Zach Ammerman