Heads Up – DDOT “under no obligation to post signs giving advance notice of zoning changes”

“Dear PoPville,

Does anyone know if the city is required to provide advance warning to residents if it intends to turn an unzoned street into a newly zoned parking area requiring the appropriate permit? I’m asking because I came home from work one day in August to find that the unzoned street I was parked on in north Petworth (Gallatin Street) had suddenly become a Zone 4D, permit-only area. The city provided NO advance notice that this change would happen and — even better — immediately ticketed all of the cars that were parked there without the proper permit! I had three tickets for $90 waiting for me the same day the change went into effect.

I challenged my tickets. I lost. I also reached out to DDOT, which just got back to me (months later) and claims it is not responsible for putting up signs that warn people that the parking rules are about to change. Feels very much like a kangaroo court to me…

PS — If anyone feels that I am in the wrong for parking on an unzoned street, it’s because I LIVE on an unzoned street and do not qualify for an RPP. In other words, I had no choice.

PPS — Also, as it happens, DDOT got back to me after I e-mailed you and confirmed that they are under no obligation to post signs giving advance notice of zoning changes. The DDOT person actually told me that it would be a great thing to take up with my elected officials and she agreed my tickets were unfair. (Still had to pay them, though!)“