Part 2 :The Realistic Solution for HOA Parking

[Continued from Part 1]

Rent Shared Parking Lot Spaces

If you have public parking lots for the park or clubhouse, consider renting them when needed - especially during the holiday visiting season. The service also provides temporary rented parking for specialty vehicles required for one or two days. In addition, there are a few good parking rental apps available that you can use to manage every permittable or rentable spot in the neighborhood.

Paint Street Parking Spaces

Are you worried about too much street parking? Mark where it is allowed. You might, for example, stagger street parking spaces so that there is always room to navigate on one side or the other. You can also number your street parking spaces for permitting, reservations, and home assignments. With this feature, you can control your parking and rent or accurately allow each spot. And to find those who park carelessly.

If you're going to designate spots, consider posting signs with a website, app, or phone number so visitors can quickly book a place.

Signs Where Street Parking is Too Dangerous

Finally, allowing for parking exceptions also creates room for special prohibitions. For example, do you need a particular blind corner never to have a car parked on the curb? Is there an incredibly narrow stretch of street that can't support street parking? Mark these as no-parking zones - and provide the nearest homeowners with an alternate street parking option.

The Need for Accommodation

Finally, be ready to make accommodations. No set of rules can ideally provide for every person - and many circumstances are worthy of special consideration. 

Street and Lot Parking Permits for Guests 

Guests: they happen. And you can't tow every guest's car, or your neighborhood will start to empty of people with friends or family. Therefore, it is essential to make real and practical plans regarding guest parking during the holiday season and throughout the year. Permits are the popular solution for guest lots or street parking.

Handicap Exceptions and Permits

Every neighborhood, statistically, will have disabled residents. Allow for their ramps and special loading-unloading needs. Don't be "that HOA" that denies a disabled child, veteran, or senior the vehicular access they need to survive. Instead, get creative about available solutions and celebrate that your community supports disabled residents. A proud approach is also the best way to deflect any grumpy neighbor-watchers who may have an objection. After all, they don't want to be "that neighbor" either.

Temporary Circumstance Permitting

Anyone can experience temporary circumstances; for example, a resident may become injured and require temporary handicap accommodations for loading and unloading. A family emergency might bring a new relative (and their car) to the home. Automotive failure might mean leaving a car in place until repairs can occur. Suppose your HOA residents and members can apply for a parking permit or violation exception before and after a warning. In that case, you remain flexible and able to provide for the real needs of your community - without actually lifting the rules to allow a cluttered street.

Commercial Vehicle Masking

Finally, what about personal vehicles with commercial branding? Residents should be entrepreneurs, even if they park in the driveway. The ban against retail branding that forces personal vehicles outside the community can cause actual harm. Instead, offer solutions like protective tarps or magnet shields rather than outright banning these vehicles. Give your homeowners options if they drive a branded passenger vehicle.

What is the solution to "The Hoa Parking Problem"? It's flexibility. When your policies can adapt to a changing world of large cars and active families, you will keep up with community residents and members' real-world needs and priorities.