City of Wilmington, DE

12/15/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/15/2022 12:37

Wilmington’s Parking Enforcement Improvements Continue with a Revised and Simplified Residential Parking Permit (RPP) Process

The new RPP process will become effective January 1, 2023; no action is required now by currently registered permit holders who have already been extended

Mayor Mike Purzycki says Wilmington is moving forward with its previously announced plan to issue fewer parking enforcement tickets, thereby reducing hassles for City residents as well as for the City government bureaucracy, which issues and then spends an inordinate amount of time reviewing tickets when they are challenged. There are currently 24,000 residential parking permits across 26 zones which require renewal once a year.

"The City will still maintain parking order on the streets, will still stop people from illegally taking neighborhood parking spaces, and will still keep City streets clean-but without issuing as many tickets as it has in previous years," said Mayor Purzycki. "We think less enforcement is better and we are excited to announce the revised Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program."

Details About the New RPP Program

  • Currently, each of our 26 RPP zones has a different renewal deadline, leading to confusion and missed renewals. Beginning January 1, all permit zones East of Interstate-95 will have the same renewal deadline of June 30, and all permit zones West of Interstate-95 will have the same renewal deadline of December 31, reducing our number of deadlines down to two. That means there will be 24 fewer permit renewal deadlines for people to be confused about or miss.
  • The City is also extending the RPP for two years each time you renew instead of the current one-year.
  • If you live east of Interstate 95, your current permit is valid through June 30, 2024. You don't have to do anything now because we've already extended your permit for the next year and a half. The only thing you'll have to remember is to renew your permit again in June of 2024 and it will become effective for two years through June of 2026.
  • If you live west of Interstate 95, your current permit is valid through December 31, 2023. You don't have to do anything now because we've already extended your permit for the next year. The only thing you'll have to remember is to renew your permit again in December of 2023 and it will become effective for two years through December of 2025.
  • To help you remember when to renew your RPP, you will receive a renewal notice 60 days prior to the renewal date and second notice 30 days prior to expiration.

Important Exceptions to the New RPP Program

  • If you move from one parking zone to the other (east to west or vice versa), let the City know immediately by dialing 311 so we can update your address and permit status.
  • If your registration and license plate number changes for any reason, or if there is a change in ownership of the registered vehicle, notify us immediately so we can update your account.
  • If you are a new City resident, you must apply for an RPP when you move into your home. New residents applying for an RPP within three (3) months of the next renewal date will be granted the permit for the next two-year cycle.

Additional Parking Enforcement Improvements Planned for 2023

Improvements planned for the new year include, but are not limited to:

  • A reduction of certain parking tickets to $25 versus the current $40. Once approved by City Council, the lower ticket cost will become effective on July 1, 2023.
  • A return to the practice of issuing a parking permit sticker, which must be placed on a vehicle to confirm that the vehicle has a valid permit. The sticker also serves as a reminder to the vehicle owner regarding when the permit needs to be renewed.
  • Creating an option for residents to receive residential parking information via text and email messages. This is a more efficient communication tool and will provide residents with a record of having received information from the City. Once this program is announced, the City will ask residents to share their email and cell phone number by contacting the City's Customer Service Center dialing 311 or use the online 311 portal at www.wilmingtonde.gov/residents/311.

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES:

John Rago
Deputy Chief of Staff
City of Wilmington, Office of the Mayor
Mobile: (302) 420-7928
Email: [email protected]