Darby may ban parking space-saving

Officials in Darby Township are set to vote next week on banning what many consider to be a regional right: residents reserving their snow shoveled parking spaces with trash cans or patio chairs.
Council members will also consider an ordinance to outlaw shoveling snow into a plowed street.

Saving parking spaces with trash cans or chairs is a widespread custom in the region, especially in winter, when competition for spaces is compounded by mountains of snow and ice.

If enacted, Darby Township’s law could impose up to a $300 fine on residents caught saving spots. But residents need not fret over the loss of their coveted lawn chairs, according to Township Manager Jack Ryan.

“It would give us the right to take that up to our highway yard, and give the people the right to go and pick up whatever we picked up from that spot,” Ryan said.

A companion ordinance would impose the same fine for shoveling snow into a cleared street. While it’s already a violation of the state’s motor vehicle code to obstruct traffic, the ordinances would allow the township to collect fines.

 

Share your thoughts in Junto: What’s your philosophy on saving parking spots?