“Baffling DC parking issue – please help!”

“Dear PoPville,

I live in Brookland which is parking zone 5. My building offers private parking in a garage but it costs $300/month and the spots are in high demand (there’s a long waiting list). When I got a car recently, I decided to forgo the costly parking garage and take my chances street parking instead. Much to my confusion, I’m being regularly ticketed for parking on my own street. The tickets cite “residential parking” and “no residential parking permit.”

When I contacted the DMV for clarification, I was told that because of my street address, I do not qualify for a residential parking permit.

I’m being ticketed for street parking on a street that I live on in a zone that I’m a resident of for not having a residential parking permit because of the street that I live on. What?! And according to the DMV, my building is obligated to provide parking for me. But I repeat, it is extremely expensive and there’s a wait list.

So now, my only two options are: fork over the $300/month for a spot in my building’s garage (if there’s even one available) OR continue street parking “illegally” and get ticketed at $35 a day forever. I cannot believe that this is real. What am I supposed to do with my car? Especially if my building has no spots in the garage? My ONLY option is to continue getting and paying tickets? If this is true, it is severely unjust at best. Who can afford that? Is everyone expected to just keep paying up?

I’m hoping there are others who have come across this issue and might be able to shed some light on how to get around it. I’ve written to my City Council member but will take help from anywhere I can get it.”