Councilman wants to put brakes on ‘sale’ of Philly parking spaces through app

Philadelphia City Council may outlaw individual sales of on-street parking spaces.  

Proposed legislation is aimed at new apps that allow drivers leaving a spot to hawk it to motorists  circling the block.

New phone apps allow escalation of a bidding war over prime on-street parking spaces, said Councilman William Greenlee, adding that will create nothing but trouble.

“In the city of Philadelphia, where people literally go to war over parking spots, I just think about my own neighborhood where parking spots are so precious,” he said Thursday. “To think someone is holding a spot, and then somebody else pulls up and takes the spot you think should be yours because you are waiting for it, that could be chaos.”

The practice is already illegal in one regard, he added.

“Because you are doing a business without a license,” he said. “It’s supposed to be a free parking spot that you are using as your temporary private spot.”

The measure will receive a full Council review during a public hearing.