Well, friends, the party is over. After years of those in the know enjoying worry-free parking all across town, the City of Eureka made the bummer announcement Thursday that parking enforcement “will resume in the coming months.” 

Yup. The tickets are coming. You’ve been warned. Full release from the City of Eureka below:

The City of Eureka is pleased to announce that revised on-street parking signage has been completed and wide-scale parking enforcement will resume in the coming months. To ensure smooth and orderly parking throughout the City, a new full-time Parking Enforcement Officer has been hired and will begin implementing the improved on-street parking time limits. Downtown/Old Town residents and visitors are urged to be mindful of parking regulations as parking violations will be actively monitored. Key points to remember include:

• Pay Attention to Signage: Always read and follow the posted parking signs to avoid violations.

• Stay Within Marked Spaces: Ensure your vehicle is parked within the designated lines to maximize space and prevent inconvenience to others.

• Adhere to Time Limits: Observe the time restrictions on parking spots to allow fair use for everyone.

• Red Zones: New state requirements restrict parking within 20ft of the approach side of marked and unmarked crosswalks, regardless of whether adjacent curbs are painted red. The City is in the process of repainting the Old Town area to reflect the new requirements and will address other areas in the future. Parking in any area with red curb is a violation and subject to citation. Please ensure that your vehicle is parked entirely outside of any red zone.

Restarting enforcement of on-street parking regulations is the first of several changes coming to our parking enforcement program. Addition changes include new ways of tracking timed parking in City lots, a system that allows visitors to pay for timed parking using their smartphone and employee parking permits. These changes are intended to create a more convenient and efficient parking payment system for residents and visitors.

The City of Eureka is committed to creating a pleasant and accessible environment for all who visit and work in Old Town. By cooperating with the parking regulations, you can help achieve this goal.