Environmental Services
Residential Permit Parking FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get permits and passes in order to park on "zoned" streets?
2. What criteria must be met to obtain permit parking on my street?
3. If my street is designated as permit parking does this apply to visitors to my residence?
4. How can I get Short-Term visitor passes
5. Why is only a portion of a street Designated as permit parking in some parts of the County?
6. Who do I call to begin the process of obtaining permit parking on my block?
7. Is there a map that shows the various permit parking zones in the County?
8. Is there a fee for performing the study to zone a particular street as permit parking only?
9. Is there a fee for the permits?
10. Why must residents pay for zoned parking?
11. Why does the County charge more for the 3rd Vehicle Specific Permit than for the 1st two permits?
12. Where is the zoned parking parking permit displayed?
13.What is the difference between the RPPP Permit and the County's Decal?
14. What section of the County Code authorizes permit parking on residential Streets?
17. How many permits do I get?
18. What happens if I have a big party at my house?
20. I hire a nanny to take care of my kids. if my street is zoned, how can she park there?
22. Are taxicabs and company cars eligible for zoned parking permits?
23. Can I loan my "flex pass" to my neighbors?
24. I own 6 cars and want to park them on the street. Why can't I get a permit for each of them?
25. How do I remove permit parking from my block?
1. How do I get permits and passes in order to park on “zoned” streets?
Residential parking permits and passes may only be obtained by residents or owners of properties that are located in residential permit zones. An application must be completed in order to obtain a FlexPass, a FlexPass Renewal Sticker, a Vehicle-Specific Permit or a book of Short-Term Visitor Passes. Applications may be completed online by going to http://rppp.arlingtonva.us/. Paper applications may be obtained in person at the Treasurer's Office at 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 215, by calling 703-228-3344 or by emailing the County to have one mailed or emailed to you. Click here for more information on obtaining permits and passes.
2. What criteria must be met to obtain permit parking on my street?
The permit parking program is backed by Section 14.2-98 of the County Code which details the criteria for a block to be designated or zoned for permit parking. These criteria are:
(a) 60% of the residents of a block (numbered block, e.g. 1400 block) must sign a petition in favor of having permit parking restrictions instituted .
(b) at least 75% of the total spaces per block are occupied.
(c) at least 25% of the available on-street parking on the block are occupied by out-of-area vehicles such as commuters, shoppers, students, etc, who do not live within the residential area.
For multi-family residences, there are an additional six criteria.
See the answer to Question 15.
3. If my street is designated as permit parking does this apply to visitors to my residence?
Yes, once a block is designated as permit parking only, all vehicles parked on that block not displaying a valid permit/decal (with appropriate zone number) or free FlexPass or Short-Term Visitor Pass will be ticketed. You may provide your visitors with your free FlexPass or with one of your Short-Term Passes, so they can legally park on the street.
4. How can I get Short-Term visitor passes?
Short-term visitor passes are issued to eligible households after the submission of an application. Applications may be completed online by going to http://rppp.arlingtonva.us/. Paper applications can be obtained in person at the Treasurer’s Office, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 215, by sending an application request through email or by contacting the Department of Environmental Services at 703-228-3344.
5. Why is only a portion of a street Designated as permit parking in some parts of the County?
The permit parking program restricts streets on a block-by-block basis (numbered block). Certain physical blocks (bounded by two streets) contain more than one numbered block in which case part of the street may be designated for permit parking.
6. Who do I call to begin the process of obtaining permit parking on my block?
Please call the Department of Environmental Services at 703-228-3344. The answer to question #2 lists the criteria which must be met for obtaining permit parking.
7. Is there a map that shows the various permit parking zones in the County?
Yes, please follow the link below to view, print or download the map.
- Parking Zones Map (3.6 MB PDF)
Left click to view from server, or Right click, then, "Save Target As" to download file to your hard drive. (May speed viewing for larger files) - About PDF and Acrobat Reader
8. Is there a fee for conducting the study to zone a particular street as permit parking only?
No. Currently there is no fee to conduct a study for permit parking.
9. Is there a fee for the permits?
Each zoned address may have one free FlexPass to be used by residents or visitors. For the year 2007 - 2008 there is a fee of $20 for each of the first two Vehicle-Specific Permits. The fee for the third vehicle-specific permit is $50.00. Those wishing to obtain vehicle-specific permits must complete an application.
10. Why must residents pay for zoned parking?
A. The program is optional, and each block of neighbors can choose whether to opt in or opt out of the program. If your neighbors opt out of the program, there is no fee to park on the street. Each individual can also choose not to participate in the program. Should you own a vehicle, you can park in a driveway, on a non-zoned street or in a public garage. Arlington follows the practice of most jurisdictions in the US by charging a fee for zoned parking protections, although we do offer a free FlexPass for the first vehicle, plus 20 free visitor passes per year. We use a fee for additional cars and additional Short-term Visitor Passes like with many other County services, to partly defray the costs of administering and enforcing the program. The fee covers about 1/2 of the cost of the program.
11. Why does the County charge more for the 3rd Vehicle Specific Permit than for the 1st two permits?
A. Because street space is limited, we charge a little more for those who use the program more intensely. The first vehicle is free (with the FlexPass), and the 4th vehicle costs a little more than the 3rd, although it still does not fully pay for the costs of the program. We find that the third vehicle permit is used by about 12% of households in zoned areas.
12. Where is the Zone Parking Permit displayed?
The permit parking permit should be affixed on the left-side of the rear bumper of the vehicle.
13. What is the difference between the RPPP Permit and the County's Decal?
Every vehicle regularly garaged or parked in Arlington County requires a County Decal . This square decal is placed on the vehicle's front windshield. You may call the Commissioner of Revenue at 703-228-3080 to inquire about obtaining the Arlington County Decal. Residents who are eligible for permit parking may obtain up to three Vehicle-Specific Permits which are placed on the left side of the vehicle's rear bumper. Only vehicles with these permits or a FlexPass or Short-Term Visitor Pass are able to park during restricted hours of permit parking.
14. What section of the County Code authorizes permit parking on residential Streets?
Section 14.2-98 of the County Code provides guidelines for permit parking can be viewed/printed/downloaded by following the link below.
- Ordinance (11.3KB, PDF)
Left click to view from server, or Right click, then, "Save Target As" to download file to your hard drive. - About PDF and Acrobat Reader
15. If I live in a multiple-family building, townhouse or duplex, what are the criteria for obtaining permit parking?
A. There are six special criteria for townhomes, duplexes, and multi-family dwelling buildings. The building must have less on-site parking than required by the County Zoning Ordinance, the building must charge less for its parking than the County residential permit parking fee, it must not have been approved under the site plan or Unified Commercial Development process, and the building must meet the County's guidelines for maximizing on-site parking (no obstructions, an efficient parking layout, and an exploration of shared parking arrangements). 60% of the households must sign a petition requesting zoned parking, and the 75/25 rule must be met.
16. My apartment building doesn't have enough parking. Can we get zoned parking on the street outside of our building in order to get more parking?
A. See the answer to Question 15 above regarding eligibility. The purpose of the permit parking program is to restrict the overspill on residential streets from people who live outside the area. If your building and block meet the criteria for zoned parking, you would be able to get zoned parking, but not because the building lacks parking.
17. How many permits Can I get?
A. Each zoned address gets one FlexPass for free. Households can obtain up to three annual Vehicle-Specific Permits per address for current Arlington County registered vehicles. An address is defined as dwellings or units recognized by Arlington County 's Department of Real Estate Assessment. Residents within a zone can petition the County to change the maximum number of permits per household within their zone to more or less than three Vehicle-Specific Permits.
18. What happens if I have a big party at my house during restricted Hours?
A. In order for visitors to park on your "permitted" street, they must display either a FlexPass or a Short-Term Visitor Pass. Short-Term Visitor Passes are valid for up to three consecutive days. The passes are available in quantities of 20 per book, at a cost of $5 per book, up to a maximum of 100 passes per year. The first 20 each year are free. Visitor passes may take 3 - 4 weeks to receive. Please order accordingly.
19. I live in the County and pay taxes -- why can't I park on the public street in front of somebody else's house?
A. On-street parking in various crowded locations is regulated by the County in a number of ways, such as metered parking, loading zones, handicapped parking and residential zoned parking. Residential zoned parking is one way to ensure that we are managing our parking resources to achieve County goals and preserve neighborhoods.
20. I hire a nanny to take care of my kids. If my street is zoned, how can she park there?
A. You can provide your nanny with your free FlexPass or Short-Term Visitor Passes.
21. My zone is too big -- people drive from one end of it to the other for commuting/shopping. How can I make it smaller?
A. The current zone boundaries will continue unless and until residents request that the zone be subdivided. One block may start the subdivision process. At least 60% of the current households on a block within the requesting area need to petition for smaller zone boundaries. The County would survey the block to determine if it meets the 75/25 criteria for overspill from outside the block. If it does, the County would determine the new zone boundary after considering the following factors: size (eventual zones preferably no larger than 1/2 mile square), land use characteristics, location of major or minor arterials, location of physical and natural boundaries, location of a traffic generator, driving patterns within the neighborhood, parking capacity of the street, existence of driveways & dedicated parking, civic association boundaries, and other neighborhood characteristics. After the determination, the County would notify the requester of the results. Another petition drive would be necessary for all the blocks within the new zone to assure there is interest in the subdivision. The County would implement the new zone on verification of the signatures of the 2nd petition. If interested in subdividing, please call the Parking Office at 703-228-3344.
22. Are taxicabs and company cars eligible for zoned parking permits?
A. Taxicabs and company cars that have a current Arlington County registered decal and are registered to a zoned address would be eligible to receive a zone decal.
23. Can I loan my "FlexPass" to my neighbors?
A. Yes, you can, but you will not be able to get another pass to replace it.
24. I own 6 cars and want to park them on the street. Why can't I get a permit for each of them?
A. Households can obtain one FlexPass and up to three annual Vehicle-Specific Permits per household for current Arlington County registered vehicles. In those areas where the streets can accommodate more vehicles, residents may submit a petition with over 60% of the zone's households to allow for more than three permits per household.
25. How do I remove permit parking from my block?
A. This process is very simple. 60% of the residents of a block (numbered block, e.g. 1400 block) must sign a petition in favor of having permit parking restrictions removed. Upon verification of the petition, staff will remove the signs. Once the permit parking signs are removed, if the residents change their minds, they must wait one year before asking that permit parking be reinstated. If you are interested in removing permit parking from your block, please discuss this with your neighbors.
