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Residential Parking Permit Program

RPP Zones prioritize parking spots for residents within the area. To park within an RPP Zone, you must have a valid permit. Vehicles parked within an RPP zone without a permit will be subject to parking enforcement. Residents within RPP Zones can apply for a permit for a small fee.

The residential parking permit program is intended to alleviate neighborhood parking constraints. It does not reserve parking to individual spaces in front of households and cannot be implemented on a singular block. If your neighborhood is not currently within an RPP Zone and is experiencing parking constraints, you may petition to establish a new RPP zone.

Current RPP Zones

Neighbors of Belknap Lookout Zone

  • Hastings St NE (Fairview Ave NE to Lafayette Ave NE)
  • Trowbridge St NE (Fairview Ave NE to Lafayette Ave NE)
  • Fairview Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Fairbanks St NE)
  • Livingston Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Fairbanks St NE)
  • Coit Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Fairbanks St NE)
  • Clancy Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Newberry St NE)
  • Fairbanks St NE (Fairview Ave NE to Lafayette Ave NE)

NOBL_Expansion_Map(PDF, 400KB)

Other Zones

  • Alabama Avenue (just north of Bridge St NW to 2nd St NW) 
  • Lake Drive (Diamond Place and extending 120’ to the West)

Apply for a Permit

To get a permit, you need to submit an application with required attachments. When you apply, have the following information available:

  • Proof of identity (e.g. State-issued ID, Passport, Consular Identification, Military ID card, Student ID card, etc.)
  • Proof that you live in one of the Current RPP Zones (e.g. utility bill addressed to resident within RPP Zone, property tax statement, mortgage, lease)
  • Your vehicle's license plate number (non-driver residential permits are exempt)

Apply Online Now

Apply for a Non-Resident Day Pass

Are you a non-resident, looking for a short term parking pass for a RPP zone? 

Apply Online Now

Permit Enrollment Period

  • May and November are the open enrollment periods for the program.
  • 12 month permit cost $30 if purchased during the May or November open enrollment periods.
  • Any permit purchased outside of open enrollment will use a prorated payment structure. 

Fee Waivers

Residential permit fees can be waived for six months if you are receiving any of the following needs-based assistance:

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Subsidized housing vouchers
  • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Women and Infant Children (WIC)
  • Family Independence Program (FIP)
  • Unemployment Benefits 

Looking for a non-resident day pass in a Residential Parking Permit zone? Look no further! Mobile GR can help get you.

Step 1. Check Your Eligibility

  • You are a non-resident looking for a single, or multiple day parking passes in one of the following Residential Parking Permit Zones.
    • Neighbors of Belknap Lookout Zone 
    • Hastings St NE (Fairview Ave NE to Lafayette Ave NE)
    • Trowbridge St NE (Fairview Ave NE to Lafayette Ave NE)
    • Fairview Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Fairbanks St NE)
    • Livingston Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Fairbanks St NE)
    • Coit Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Fairbanks St NE)
    • Clancy Ave NE (Hastings St NE to Newberry St NE)
    • Fairbanks St NE (Fairview Ave NE to Lafayette Ave NE)
    • Alabama Avenue (just north of Bridge St NW to 2nd St NW)
    • Lake Drive (Diamond Place and extending 120’ to the West)

Step 2. Check Vehicle Qualifications

Qualified Vehicles  Unqualified Vehicles
  • Automobiles
  • Cars
  • Trucks
  • Motorcycles
  • Other motorized transportation under 6,000 pounds
  • Trailers
  • Trailer Coaches
  • Utility Trailers
  • Other vehicles separate from or attached to a vehicle

 

Permit Cost: 

Permit costs $5 per day and there is a limit of 10 days per 3 months.

Be ready to provide your license plate number 

We use your license plate number to match your permit to your vehicle. Let us know if your license plate number changes so you don't receive a ticket.

Complete an online application (English)

Next steps: 

  • We'll verify your application information and confirm you are eligible. Then, we'll contact you within 1 business day to pay for the first prorated payment. You'll have a few payment options:
  • By Mail - Send a check, cashier's check, money order, or credit card.
  • By Phone - You can pay over the phone using a credit card.
  • In Person - You can bring in cash or any form a payment listed above.

Visit us at the address listed in the Contact Us section of this page to pick up your permit. Or, we can mail it to you. Once you have your permit, you can start to enjoy parking in the designated permit zone!

Review the Residential Parking Permit Rules and Regulations for more detailed information about the program. 

Questions or Concerns? 

If you have any questions or are unable to complete the online application, please contact a Customer Service agent by calling 311 or visit us at 50 Ottawa Ave NW in Grand Rapids.

To get a permit, you need to submit an application with required attachments. When you apply, have the following information available:

  • Proof of identity (e.g. State-issued ID, Passport, Consular Identification, Military ID card, Student ID card, etc.)
  • Proof that you live in one of the Current RPP Zones (e.g. utility bill addressed to resident within RPP Zone, property tax statement, mortgage, lease)
  • Your vehicle's license plate number (non-driver residential permits are exempt)

Apply Online Now

Additional Information on RPP Zones

Residential Permit ($30 / year)

You can get a permit if you're a resident, renter, or owner within an RPP Zone. Residents are allowed to purchase more than one residential permit until their household limit of six permits. Additional permits may be purchased for frequent visitors, caretakers, or additional vehicles.

Guest Permit ($2 / 24 hours)

Current residential parking permit holders receive six complementary guest passes per 6-month renewal period. Residents can purchase additional guest passes. Permit holders can purchase guest permits in advance.

Short Term Permit ($5 / 24 hours)

Short term permits may be obtained by non-residents and are valid for 24 hours.

Non-Driver Residential Permit ($30 / year)

Non-driver residential permits require proof of residency and proof of identity. Non-driver residential permits are included in the household limit count. 

Where You Can Park

Your permit is valid on any street within the zone. All standard parking rules and signage continue to apply.

Enforcement Times

We enforce the RPP program during permit parking hours. The time can vary by RPP Zone.

Standard Parking Rules

Look for any parking related signage and follow its directions, for example: parking meters, no parking signs or loading zone signs. We don't want you to get a ticket.

To ensure your safety and that of others, make sure to park:

  • 3 feet from a driveway
  • 15 feet from fire hydrants
  • 15 feet from or within intersections
  • 20 feet from marked crosswalks
  • 20 feet from railroad tracks
  • 30 feet from a flashing signal, stop sign or traffic signals

Zone Establishment Process

Mobile GR updated the policy governing the Residential Parking Permit program in April 2025. The biggest policy change was making it so residents can initiate a new RPP. To establish a new RPP zone or modify an existing one, residents may now follow a structured, community-driven 12-step process designed to ensure transparency, and public involvement: 

1. Identification: Residents identify an area with at least 10 street segments experiencing parking demand issues. 

2. Petition Submission: Residents submit a petition demonstrating support from at least 51% of affected residences. 

3. Staff Review: Mobile GR staff conduct a thorough evaluation of the proposed zone. 

4. Mobile GR Commission Discussion: The proposal is brought to the Commission for initial discussion. 

5. Public Input Solicitation: Mobile GR gathers community feedback from impacted stakeholders. 

6. Outreach to Households: Direct outreach is conducted to inform and engage residents within the proposed zone. 

7. Action by Mobile GR: Staff make formal recommendations based on findings and feedback. 

8. City Commission Public Hearing Announcement: A public hearing is scheduled. 

9. Public Hearing Held: The community has the opportunity to provide feedback directly. 

10. Feedback Summary: All public input is compiled and presented. 

11. City Commission Vote: A final decision is made through a Commission vote. 

12. Implementation: If approved, the new RPP zone is rolled out at a bi-annual renewal period. 

Zone Requirements to Establish 

The area threshold for considering designation of a Residential Parking Permit Zone should be, at a minimum:

  • 10 street segments in length
  • The street segments in the area must be contiguous
  • Include residences on both sides of the street segments
  • In the proposed area, a zone must not have been eliminated in the past 3 years

Zone Requirements to Modify 

The area threshold for considering a modification or expansion of a Residential Parking Permit Zone should be, at a minimum: 

  • Four or more street segments
  • Contiguous and connected to an existing residential parking permit zone
  • Include residences on both sides of the street segment
  • Existing zone must not have been modified or expanded in the past 18 months 

The threshold for considering an elimination of a Residential Parking Permit Zone should be, at a minimum: 

  • Existing zone must not have been established or modified in the past 3 years

What is a Street Segment? 

A street segment is a portion of a street that is located between two intersections, or a portion between an intersection and a dead end or cul-de-sac. 

See this example of what ten street segments could look like: Residential-Parking-Permit-Ten-Street-Segment-Example(PDF, 474KB)

Residential Parking Permit Process Guide

Residents should use this guide to understand their role in establishing, modifying, or eliminating an RPPZ.

RPPZ Process Guide(PDF, 200KB)

Petition Templates

Residents should use these templates to petition for RPPZ

RPP Establishment Petition Template(PDF, 162KB)

RPP Modification Petition Template(PDF, 163KB)

RPP Elimination Petition Template(PDF, 148KB)