Residents in San Francisco's upscale Presidio Heights neighborhood are voicing anger over a parking tactic that allows individuals to reserve street parking spots for extended periods using city permits. The issue came to light when local resident Greg Long, a 56-year-old product designer, documented on social media the presence of multiple "no stopping" tow-away signs on his street, which effectively eliminated most available parking.
Long discovered that these signs can be obtained through a city permit application process. The cost involves an $851 application fee, followed by a monthly fee of $209 for every 20 feet of curb space. This allows permit holders to reserve parking in front of their properties, a practice Long believes is easily abused. He noted that one sign on his street remained in place despite being expired.
San Francisco's Department of Public Works oversees these permits, which are typically intended for temporary street occupancy, often for construction or minor building repairs. However, the department stated that it lacks the resources to actively track permit activity and only responds to complaints.
Long expressed concern that the system requires no documentation and relies on neighbor complaints for enforcement, making it susceptible to misuse. "This is a system that’s easy to abuse," Long told the San Francisco Chronicle. "It’s simple to pull a street permit, you need no documentation, and enforcement comes only when your neighbor complains."
Despite Long's observations and resident frustrations, the Public Works department maintains that there is no widespread evidence of the system being improperly exploited. "We have no reason to believe it’s a rampant issue," a department spokesperson told the Chronicle.
Last year, the city issued approximately 8,600 tow-away sign permits, with a similar number anticipated for the current year. The department encourages residents to file complaints and warned that violations could result in daily fines of up to $1,000.
The issue has resonated with other residents who have witnessed similar parking restrictions. "2900 Jackson Street (at Broderick) has been under construction since I moved into the neighborhood in 2005," one commenter on Long's social media post stated. Another resident described the situation in Presidio Heights as a "huge issue," noting that construction signs and signs for University High School limit parking on a majority of blocks during the day.
City Supervisor Stephen Sherrill acknowledged the problem, advising residents to check the expiration dates on the signs, suggesting that many are left up longer than permitted. "A lot of people are sneaky," Sherrill commented. "They leave their signs up after they expire, so take a look at those dates."
Frustration over parking availability and perceived exploitation of parking rules has been a recurring theme in San Francisco. A similar incident in 2024 involved a resident reportedly posting their own "no parking sign."
Long hopes his efforts will raise awareness and encourage more neighborly conduct. "Part of what I’m doing is just showing people like, ‘Hey, let’s just try to be neighborly – if your sign’s done, take it down,'" he told the Chronicle. "Don’t try and abuse this loophole."