Alexandria's 72-Hour Parking Rule Exemptions Set To Continue

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The rule prohibiting a vehicle to be parked in a space for more than 72 consecutive hours is here to stay in Alexandria, but exemptions to that rule could soon be allowed for good. On Sept. 10, a measure to make exemptions available permanently will be introduced to Alexandria City Council.

Under city law, a vehicle cannot be parked in one space on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours, aside from weekends and holidays. Vehicles registered with the city can apply for exemptions to the law several times a year. If granted, the exemptions are good for up to two weeks. The exemptions only apply if a vehicle is parked within one-eighth mile of a person's home. Vehicles beyond this radius will be subject to regular enforcement of the 72-hour rule.

The pilot program for exemptions is set to expire on Nov. 1, 2019. One proposed change is increasing the number of exemptions allowed annually from four to five.

The city opened a survey earlier this year to decide whether or not to continue the exemptions. The survey garnered 800 responses. Of these, the majority said they support exemptions to the 72-hour parking rule. Just 126 said they have ever applied for exemptions.

The city did a complete review of the 72-hour parking rule before exemptions were first approved in 2017. City Council opted not to eliminate the 72-hour rule during the process.