Neighbors in posh California city erupt after exposing brazen parking tactic outside homes: Sneaky

A San Francisco resident has shed light on an under-the-radar tactic to reserve free street parking in the notoriously overparked city — and neighbors are furious.Greg Long, a 56-year-old product designer, took to social media to share that he was suspicious of a whopping 14 “no stopping” tow-away signs on his side of his street in Presidio Heights.That’s six of eight parking spaces gone, he said, as he shared video of one tow-away sign that’s still up despite being expired in May.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Never miss a story It turns out, Long revealed, that you can shell out of pocket around $350 a month to get one of these signs up in front of your place — and have the street parking spot all to yourself.There’s a $851 fee for the application, then you spend $209 a month for every 20 feet of curb.Long inquired about the signs to the city’s Public Works department, which told him it doesn’t have the resources to track the permit activity but can respond to complaints.“This is a system that’s easy to abuse,” Long said.

“It’s simple to pull a street permit, you need no documentation, and enforcement comes only when your neighbor complains.”Typically, such street space permits are used to help people conduct construction on their own homes, according to the city website — but that also includes “minor building repairs” like landscaping.The Public Works department disputed the idea that there’s widespread gaming of the system, telling the San Francisco Chronicle in a statement that “we have no reason to believe it’s a rampant issue.”The city agency issued around 8,600 tow-away sign permits last year and will likely issue around the same amount this year, the Chronicle reported.Public Works encourages all complaints, it said, and if...