Impoundment Towing
If your vehicle vanishes, call the police department (994–2875) to find out whether it was towed. If it was towed by the city, go to the front desk in the lobby of City Hall. You must be a registered owner of the vehicle and present your driver’s license. After paying a $60 processing fee (waived if your vehicle was towed from private property) plus any unpaid tickets, you’ll be allowed to retrieve your vehicle from the towing company.
The city uses three towing companies: Brewer’s, 1763 Plymouth (665–8888); Sakstrup’s Towing, 3055 Packard (971–5400); and Triangle Towing, 191 Hiscock (761–5696). Towing charges average $130 for a standard “wheel lift” tow, and there is an additional fee for each day the vehicle is stored. The companies vary in the forms of payment they accept, so call first.
Parking Lots & Structures
City-owned lots are designated by white signs with a green P inside a green circle; city-owned garages are designated by white signs with a blue P. A private company, Republic Parking (761–7235), operates the city parking system for the Downtown Development Authority and rents about half the spaces to monthly parking permit holders (call 997–1310 for information on permits). About 100 downtown businesses validate customers’ parking coupons.
Rates for attended spaces in most parking structures are 40¢ / half hour. Surface-lot parking is 50¢ / half hour and for the first three hours and $1.10 for each subsequent hour. Operating hours vary. The Liberty Square structure (on Washington west of State) has a flat fee of $2 between 4 p.m. and 6 a.m. weeknights and all day Sat. The lot at the southeast corner of First & Washington is open to the public between 4 p.m. and 6 a.m. for a $3 entry fee. The structure at Ann & Ashley is open 24 hours. All city parking is free on Sun.
Parking Meters
Rates at the city’s 1,750 metered curbside spaces in the downtown and campus area are $1/hour. Most street meters are enforced Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Meters vary in maximum time allowed for parking. Meter cash cards can be used instead of money at every city parking meter. Users authorize an amount on the card; each time it is inserted into a meter, 25¢ is deducted from the total. The cards can be purchased at Republic Parking’s offices at 324 Maynard or in the Ann & Ashley structure.
For $15/day and a deposit, Republic Parking can reserve metered parking spaces for private occasions such as weddings (call 761–7235). Businesses may also temporarily reserve spaces for construction access or other needs.
Parking Permits
Parking permits allow 24-hour access to parking in specific lots and structures. Republic Parking manages the parking permits. Permits cost $125/month for a nonreserved space, $175/month for reserved. All permit parkers also need an access card ($10–$30 fee). Permits are issued first come, first served; call the Downtown Development Authority at 997–1310 to inquire about space availability before applying.
Parking Violations
The fine for an expired city meter is $10 if paid by 5 p.m. the next business day and $15 if paid within 14 days. Fines for most other parking violations are $25 if paid within 14 days. The fine for unauthorized parking in a handicapped parking zone is $100. Other penalties, including additional fees and auto impoundment, are imposed for four or more tickets in default. The fine for violating city snow-removal parking restrictions is $125.
Parking tickets can be paid in four ways: on the city’s website, www.a2gov.org (credit card only, $3.50 additional charge); by telephone—call (866) 890–4982 (credit card only, $3.50 additional charge); in person, using 24-hour drop boxes at the police desk in the southwest foyer of City Hall, 100 N. Fifth Ave., or on the north side of City Hall at the drive-up deposit box (check or money order only); or by mail, addressed to City of Ann Arbor Processing Center, P.O. Box 2066, Tarrytown, NY 10591 (check or money order only). Postmarks are accepted as evidence of timely payment.
Tickets can be contested in person at the parking referee office on the fifth floor of City Hall; by mail to Parking Referee, 100 N. Fifth Ave., P.O. Box 8647, Ann Arbor, MI 48107; or online at a2gov.org. You must provide an explanation. Call 994–9172 for more information.
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