Parking Permits

Topics Covered:

Residential Decal
Temporary Residential Permit
Residential Visitors Pass
Single Day Visitors Pass
Temporary Contractor Permit
Temporary Medical Care Provider Permit/Child Care Provider Permit
Homeowner Contractor Permit

Baltimore City actually has pretty clear guidelines on parking permits. I don't see this document providing a ton of extra value to someone who is proficient in googling information/website navigation. But, I do think that putting all the information in one user-friendly place could be helpful, but this outline is mostly copied and pasted from 2-3 websites. This will also serve as an example of the other outlines which have information that is more difficult to find/interpret.

When is this permit required?

A parking permit is required for parking in residential zones unless you are parking in a private space, parking garage, or metered space. Acquiring a parking pass will allow you to park on the street in a residential zone without getting a ticket (assuming you're parked legally)

Baltimore is divided up into 48 neighborhoods, each one has a unique parking area number. When receiving a parking permit, you will only receive a permit for the area you apply/are qualified for based on your address.

Types of Residential Parking Permits:

Residential Decal
Temporary Residential Permit
Residential Visitors Pass
Single Day Visitors Pass
Temporary Contractor Permit
Temporary Medical Care Provider Permit/Child Care Provider Permit
Homeowner Contractor Permit

Permit Descriptions:

1. Residential Decal

Decals are affixed on the inside windshield of the vehicle on the driver’s side. Decals must be renewed annually. Two areas, Riverside and Ridgely's Delight, use virtual parking permits, which do not include physical permits. Instead, a vehicle's license plate number is registered in an online system that is verified by parking enforcement agents.
In each Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Area, qualified residences are eligible for up to four (4) decals per household. Required documentation must be verified before permits are issued. Each permit costs $20 per year.

2. Temporary Residential Permit

This is a temporary permit that allows a resident to park in a residentially restricted parking area temporarily.
This permit is sold instead of a decal while a resident finishes getting all the required documentation.
This permit is good for no more than 60 days.

3. Residential Visitors Pass

A reusable parking pass that allows guests to park in an RPP area while visiting a resident. The visitor pass exempts vehicles who display the pass on their dashboard from posted residential parking restrictions.
The number of eligible visitor passes varies by RPP area. Area 28 does not issue any visitor passes. Other RPP areas issue 1 or 2 visitor passes with proof of residence.
Visitor passes cost $20 per year.
Visitor Passes cannot be replaced except for healthcare reasons.
Visitor permits should be placed on the driver-side dashboard.

4. Single Day Visitors Permit

This Single Day Visitor Permit is for when you know you will have a guest that needs to park for up to 24 hours. (Area 28 does not have Single Day Visitor Permits.)
This permit is free
A resident can request up to four (4) Single Day Visitor Permits a month per address with proof of residence.
If you are in a Stadium Area you are not eligible to get Single Day Visitor Permits on Stadium Event days. (A Stadium Event is any activity at the stadium complex or parking lots at M&T Stadium or Camden Yards. Contact the Maryland Stadium Authority for event dates.)
Stadium Event Areas are B, 5, 8, 9, 15, 19, 30, 40, 41, and 42.

5. Temporary Contractor Permit

This is a residential permit for contractors (especially those with commercial vehicles) doing work on a dwelling unit in an RPP area.
This permit is good for up to 90 days or the length of the contract, whichever comes first. If the permit is needed for over 90 days, you will need to purchase the pass again. The contract must have a specific end date and must be signed by all parties.
This permit costs $20 per permit and a resident is allowed up to four (4) permits per project. In Mount Vernon (Area 28), only two (2) permits are allowed per project.
This permit is good Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The permit must be applied for using an RPP-eligible address.

8. Temporary Medical Care Provider Permit/Child Care Provider Permit

This is an annual residential parking permit for professional or non-professional care providers with a notarized letter from the homeowner stating the days and times needed for care.
The care provider must also show a valid vehicle registration.
This permit costs $20.

7. Homeowner Contractor Permit

This is a residential permit for homeowners who are doing work on their property where they do not reside.
This permit is good for 30 days. If needed for longer than 30 days, an additional permit must be purchased.
This permit costs $20.

Required Documents for approval:

Maryland Driver’s License with RPP Eligible address printed on it.
MVA Change of address card is also accepted
Proof of current student status (student ID, acceptance letter, or current class schedule) is also accepted
New Maryland residents must present their out-of-state driver’s license and vehicle registration along with one of the following:
Current lease (must be signed by all parties including the landlord)
Settlement documents (must be signed by all parties)
Closing disclosure (must be signed by all parties)
BGE, Xfinity (or other internet service provider) pdf statement (no more than 30 days old) or the start of service letter
New residents will be issued a 60-day temporary permit to allow time to obtain a Maryland driver’s license and a Maryland vehicle registration.
Current Maryland vehicle registration with RPP eligible address printed on it. (see exceptions below)

Exceptions to Obtaining a Maryland License and Registration are:

Enrollment in a local educational institution: Applicant must provide a copy of the school registration or student identification for the current year, with proof of residency, and current vehicle registration. This only applies to students with Maryland vehicle registrations and a Maryland driver’s license.
A member of the Armed Forces: Applicant must provide Armed Forces Identification Card, with proof of residency and current vehicle registration.
Sufficient notarized documentation to certify the exclusive use of a vehicle not registered in the applicant’s name.
1. Applicants must provide proof of residency and current vehicle registration.
2. If the vehicle's driver has the same last name as the vehicle owner, they do not need a notarized letter.
Dual residency: See the provisions below.
Leased vehicles: The leasing agreement (contract) must be presented with vehicle registration with proof of residency. Your vehicle may need to be registered in-state at your RPP address to be compliant with local/state laws.

Fees:

All permits are $20 each except areas B (free) and 4 ($10) . The Parking Authority accepts the following forms of payment:

Check (in person only)
Credit Card
Money Order (in person only)

How to Apply:

1. Apply online: https://pabc.thepermitstore.com/purchase.php

2. You can have your permits mailed to you for a small fee, or you can pick them up at 200 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Approval Timeline:

About 1-3 business days for approval, with an additional 2-5 business days of waiting if the permit is mailed to you.

Department Contact Information:

Parking Authority of Baltimore City

Address: 200 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Park at the Arena Garage ( 99 South Howard Street) for free parking.

Hours: 8:30pm-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding holidays)

Phone: (443) 573-2800 (RPP Extensions are 819 or 863)

Additional Information:

Dual Residency: Effective July 1, 2001, Maryland Law authorizes the Executive Director of the Parking Authority to issue a Residential Parking Permit to a person who owns and occupies a residential property in a residential parking permit area in the City regardless of whether the person has registered the vehicle in the State or has obtained a non resident permit. To qualify, an applicant must show all other required documentation, proof of homeownership in the City of Baltimore (property tax bill), and proof of residence at their address outside their RPP area. Customers must also provide:

Current utility bill for both properties that clearly identifies customers name.
If you own both properties, you must provide a current property tax bill for both properties

Off-Street Parking Requirement: Areas 8, 9, and 37 have off-street parking requirements. If you have an off-street parking space, you are not eligible for a decal for the first car. If you have a second or third car you can get a decal if:

You present the registration for the vehicle parking in the off-street space (even though that car is not eligible for a decal).
The vehicle housed in the off-street space is being used by a current resident and proof of residency is provided (if the vehicle is registered in a non-resident's name, see the above section on driving a vehicle registered in another person’s name).
If you have more than one off-street space, you must follow the same process for each off-street space and show it is being used by a resident before decals may be released.

Temporary Permits: Temporary permits are provided as a courtesy to residents, allowing time to obtain the additional required documentation. Residents will pay the $20.00 permit fee and when they return with the required documentation, the payment will be transferred to the permanent decal. If you receive your temporary permit in person at the Parking Authority, the temporary permits must be returned with the formerly lacking required documents that necessitated the temporary permit to obtain a permanent decal. If the temporary permit is not returned, there will be a charge of $20 for the decal.

Temporary Permits may also be issued in the following instances:

A new vehicle is purchased and issued temporary plates. The temporary permit will expire on the same date as the temporary plates. Residents MUST obtain a replacement permit as soon as the permanent registration is received (hard plates). Residents will be at risk for citation because the plate number on the temporary permit will no longer match the vehicle.
A notarized letter is required because the vehicle is owned by someone who does not share the same last name.
Car rental – A temporary permit may be issued for up to 30 days at no charge.
Short-term work- The resident must show a letter from their employer on company letterhead that verifies the specified work period. The work period must be less than 60 days and proof of residence must still be provided.

PLACEMENT AND GENERAL CONDITIONS OF THE RPP PERMIT

RPP decals must be permanently affixed to the lower left-hand corner of the vehicle's windshield. Decals must be affixed by the decal’s own adhesive to the vehicle for which it was issued. Display of a decal that is not affixed, affixed with glue or tape, or affixed through other temporary means, will be considered invalid and subject to fines and penalties and/or loss of privileges. Virtual permits are granted in some areas; therefore, no actual permit must be displayed in these areas.

Visitor permits are issued solely to residents for the use of visitors to their residence. Visitor permits must be displayed in full view, face-up on the driver's side of the vehicle's dashboard. Please refer to the reverse side of your Visitor Permit for more information and regulations governing the use of Visitor Permits.

Visitor Permits may not be laminated. Laminating a Visitor Permit will render the permit void. Vehicles displaying a laminated Visitor Permit may be ticketed or towed.

Permit Expiration: All permits, whether purchased at renewal time or through the course of the year, will expire on the date indicated on the face of the permit unless otherwise extended or voided by the Parking Authority of Baltimore City.

For More Information: https://parking.baltimorecity.gov/