PARKING ENFORCEMENT
Method of Issuing Parking Citations for Expired Meters
Parking Beyond Posted Time Limits
Parking Meter Malfunctions
Common Violations and Fines
Marking Tires
Vehicle Immobilization ("Booting")
Parking Enforcement
Comprehensive parking enforcement is important to the health, safety, and economic vitality of downtown Great Falls. A dutiful, conscientious ticketing force is the heart of an effective parking enforcement program. The City benefits from enforcement in many ways including the deterrent effect that comes from having a high probability of a violator being penalized for parking illegally. A well-designed enforcement effort enables the City to maximize its use of the existing parking resources.
Activities performed by the parking enforcement attendants include:
- patrol designated routes and enforce the parking ordinance
- issue citations to vehicles parked illegally
- detect and report malfunctioning meters
- appear in court to testify against parking violators
- public relations; interpret parking regulations / procedures and explain same to the public, assist the public in other ways as needed
Downtown streets and avenues serve many competing interests and they are one of the most sought-after resources the City controls. Primarily, the streets are designed for moving traffic, but shoppers, delivery vehicles, visitors, taxis, and buses all vie for on-street parking space. Parking enforcement plays a vital role in ensuring that the street is used in the best interests of the community. The primary objectives of enforcement are:
- support the on-street parking system by equitably & consistently enforcing the parking regulations,
- encourage compliance with the City's parking regulations,
- promote traffic and pedestrian safety,
- maximize the capacity of the existing parking supply through increased turnover,
- protect on-street access needed for commerce and public convenience,
- enhance the quality of life in the residential zone by keeping the area free of downtown commuters and visitor parkers.
Method of Issuing Parking Citations for Expired Meters
Upon observation of an expired mechanical parking meter, the Parking Enforcement Attendant will inspect the meter mechanism and turn the meter handle to check for proper operation. Once it is determined that the meter is functioning properly, a parking citation is issued.
Upon observation of an expired electronic parking meter, the Enforcement Attendant will inspect the LED display for "error"/"out of order" messages, if no such message is present a parking citation is issued.
If the attendant detects a problem with any meter, a citation is not issued, and the meter is reported to the maintenance section for repair.
Parking Beyond Posted Time Limits
The posted time limit within the Meter District is two hours, the posted time limits within the downtown Residential Zone is either two or three hours. Section 10.48.100 of the Great Falls Municipal Code states that it is unlawful to park in violation of officially posted parking control signage. In the Meter District, a parker can not add additional coins, "feed the meter", to gain additional time beyond the District's two hour time limit. Time limit enforcement is accomplished by marking tires with chalk.
Parking Meter Malfunctions
If a parker attempts to put money in a meter, and the meter will not accept the coins or register the proper time, he or she should contact the City of Great Falls Parking Division with a location and meter post number. If a parker thinks a meter has malfunctioned, and a citation was issued, he or she may make a request to have the meter checked. This notification must be prompt and can be accomplished by telephone. To ensure a proper meter check, the Parking Technician needs the following information: citation #, license plate #, date/time vehicle was parked, location (on citation), and coins used. If the meter is found to be working properly, the parker is informed that the citation will stand as issued. If the meter is broken and/or not registering the correct ime, the citation will be dismissed.
Meter malfunctions and other questions may be directed to:
Parking Garage office at 1st Ave N & 4th St N. (Phone: (406) 454-2278)
Community Development, Room 112, Civic Center (Main Lobby Floor)
(Phone: (406) 455-8414)
City of Great Falls Parking Division
P.O. Box 5021
Great Falls, MT 59403
Common Violations and Fines
A $10.00 Administrative Fee, per citation, is assessed for citation payments that are thirty days delinquent.
| Expired Meter | $5.00 |
| Non-Payment at City Lot | $3.00 |
| Overtime in Residential Zone | $3.00 |
| Overtime in Meter District (exceed 2 hr limit) | $10.00 |
| Improper Parking** | $10.00 |
| End Zone | $10.00 |
| Hydrant Zone | $10.00 |
| Sign Violation | $10.00 |
| Handicap Zone | $100.00 |
**To ensure "proper parallel parking" in the Meter District, drivers should use the meter pole as a guide. At a single head meter space, a properly parallel parked vehicle will have the front bumper approximately two to three feet behind the meter pole. At a single head meter the front bumper should not go beyond the meter pole.
At a two head meter stall, the rear bumper of the forward vehicle should be approximately two to three feet beyond the meter pole and the front bumper of the trailing vehicle should be approximately two to three feet behind the meter pole.
To ensure "proper angle parking" in the meter district, drivers must use the meter pole as a guide. At a single head angle meter space, a properly angle parked vehicle will have the meter post centered on the hood/bumper and approximately one foot away from the bumper.
At a two head angle meter stall, the left or right fender will be positioned beside the pole (approximately on to two feet to either side of the pole).
Marking Tires
Marking tires with chalk is one method of time limit enforcement. The City of Great Falls uses this method to enforce the Residential Zone time limits and the Meter District 2-hour time limit. Immediately after the tire tread is marked, the attendant records the time and location in a hand held computer. The tires are again checked after the permitted time. Vehicles in the Residential Zone that have not been moved are ticketed. Vehicles in the Meter District that have not been moved are ticketed, even if the meter has not expired.
Vehicle Immobilization ("Booting")
The City of Great Falls has intensified its parking enforcement throughout the downtown parking meter district and the downtown residential zones. The heightened enforcement is seen in the selective and infrequent use of a vehicle immobilization device, also known as the "Denver Boot."
The City's Parking Division maintains a computerzed list of vehicles meeting the "booting" criteria. The criteria centers on the number of unpaid parking tickets received by the registered owner. More specifically, if the registered owner has five or more unpaid parking tickets and the tickets are 30 days or more overdue, the vehicle will appear on the list.
If a vehicle on the list is seen in the parking meter district, in any of the City's off-street facilities (lots or parking garages), or in the downtown residential zones, it will be reported to the Parking Division. The parking supervisor will verify the number of outstanding tickets and review the established "booting" checklist. Once confirmed, an officer with an immobilization device is sent to the location. The officer fills out a "warning" notice and sticks it on the driver's door window; the officer then attaches the "boot". The "warning" notice alerts the driver to the fact that the vehicle is immobilized and can not to be moved. The notice also contains instructions on how to arrange for the release of the vehicle.
Release of the vehicle can be obtained by paying all outstanding tickets plus the $25.00 immobilization fee. Fees can be paid in the Civic Center at the Community Development Department (Room 112) or at the Fiscal Services cashier window (Room 104) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If an owner does not make arrangements to have the immobilization device removed within forty-eight (48) hours, the vehicle will be towed and impounded. All associated towing and impound costs are the responsibility of the registered owner.