Philadelphia Parking Authority

Policies

Off-street parking

Originally, the Parking Authority provided parking garages and parking lots, but various city departments were responsible for on-street parking.

On-street parking

In 1982, Philadelphia City Council was authorized by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to delegate certain powers formerly exercised by various city departments to the Parking Authority. In April 1983, City Council transferred on-street parking responsibilities to the Authority.

Functions transferred from the Streets Department:

• Location, installation and maintenance of all parking meters throughout the city
• Preparation of documentation to modify existing or implement new parking regulations, establishing time limits, loading zones, fire hydrant restrictions, reserved parking for people with disabilities, tow-away zones and residential permit parking
• Preparation of work orders for parking regulations signs

Functions transferred from the Revenue Department:

• Meter Collections

Functions transferred from the Police Department:

• Issuance and processing of parking tickets
• Towing of motor vehicles
• Impoundment of motor vehicles

However, both Police Department officers and SEPTA supervisors can issue parking tickets.

Functions transferred from the Department of Licenses and Inspections:

• Issuance of Loading Zone Permits
• Administration of the Residential Parking Permit Program

A vast majority of revenue for on-street parking for PPA is generated from ticketing violations (63%) and meter parking (29%). Other revenue categories comprise less than 9% of PPA's on-street parking income. The PPA is also considering punishing unlawful parking in bus and bicycle lanes, as well as "Ghost Cars" without license plates.

Booting

A program to "boot" repeat parking violation offenders was authorized by City Council in 1983.

Taxicabs and limousines

The Authority was authorized by the General Assembly in July 2004 to regulate taxis and limousines operating in the city, and to adopt and enforce regulations for their operations.

Red Light Camera Program

The Authority has been authorized by the General Assembly to administer a pilot red light enforcement program. Cameras are installed at intersections with a high accident rate, and fines are imposed for motorists who run red lights. Notices are sent by mail to offenders, based on photos of license plates and the motorists themselves.

Inspection Expired

Pennsylvania law requires vehicles to display safety and emission inspection stickers, which must be renewed on an annual basis. As these vehicles are parked on a public street, PPA may cite otherwise legally-parked vehicles with expired inspection stickers. Failure to respond to these tickets may result in booting, towing, or the sale at auction of a vehicle repeatedly ticketed for an expired inspection violation.

Staff

PPA Executive Staff

• Executive Director – Richard Lazer
• Deputy Executive Director – Gabe Roberts
• Deputy Executive Director – Corinne O'Connor

Board Members

Originally, the Authority's board of directors was controlled by city officials, but the legislature, acting at the initiative of Representative John Perzel, has shifted control to state officials, including the Governor and officers of the legislature.

• Lynette M. Brown-Sow, Chairperson
• Beth C. Grossman
• Patricia M. Furlong
• Alfred W. Taubenberger
• Obra S. Kernodle, IV
• Mark C. Nicastre

Finances

Notes

References

References

1. "Philadelphia Parking Authority - Fact Sheet".
2. "CITY OF PHILADELPHIA v. RENDELL".
3. "Performance Audit Report Philadelphia Parking Authority Employment Policies and Procedures".
4. "Philadelphia Parking Authority - History".
5. Tricia L. Nadolny and Angela Couloumbis. (2016-10-02). "How the Parking Authority became a Republican patronage haven". Philadelphia Inquirer.
6. (26 July 2019). "'Ashdale family tree': Philadelphia Parking Authority has hired 10 relatives of board chairman Joseph Ashdale". Philadelphia Inquirer.
7. (9 December 2020). ""Philly's parking agency still overpays executives and has too many political patronage jobs, audit finds"".
8. "Unticket".
9. "PPA Cracking Down on ‘Ghost Cars' in Philly Following NBC10 Report".
10. (2023-04-27). "PPA to start cracking down on cars parked in bike lanes - CBS Philadelphia".
11. "Philadelphia Parking Authority - Redlights".
12. "Philadelphia Parking Authority".
13. (10 March 2022). "Philadelphia Parking Authority abruptly ousts executive director Scott Petri".
14. (January 31, 2003). "The PA Report "Power 75" List". Capital Growth, Inc..
15. [http://www.philapark.org/ppa-team-members/ PPA Team Members], The Philadelphia Parking Authority
16. "The Philadelphia Parking Authority Financial Statements, Required Supplementary Information, And Other Financial Information For the Years Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 & Independent Auditors' Report".
17. [http://philapark.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/PPA-Fin-Stmts-Final.pdf 2012 Financial Statement]
18. [http://philapark.org/wp-content/themes/ppa/pdfs/parente-beard-financial-statements-fy's-2010-2009.pdf 2010 Financial Statement]