What to know about the new winter parking rules in Muskegon

The city of Muskegon is changing up the winter parking rules this season. In the past, residents and visitors were not allowed to park on any city street from 2am to 6am during the winter months.  That has now changed with the last City Commissioners meeting on Dec. 18, when lawmakers updated the winter parking rules.

The new rules are a bit different than that of the previous years and are part of ordinance amendments L07 and L09.

The City of Muskegon Police Department will be issuing warning cards to vehicles that are in violation of the new parking ordinance. City officials have stated that these cards are not tickets but are being used for educational purposes to help residents better understand the new parking rules. Any questions can be directed to the City of Muskegon Police Department at 231-724-6750.

Here’s what you’ll need to know when parking in Muskegon this winter (these rules are in effect through March 1):

• • There will be odd/even parking from 7am to 5pm. (On odd calendar days, park on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses; on even calendar days, park on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses.) You may park on the either side from 5pm to 7am.

• • No longer is parking on the terrace (the area between the property line and the street) permitted on the streets that have parking on both sides of the street or parking lanes. You may park on the either side from 5pm to 7am.

• • No parking is allowed between 2am and 6am in the downtown business area bounded by Shoreline Drive heading east from Seventh Street to Spring Street, heading south on Spring Street from Shoreline Drive to Apple Avenue, heading west on Apple Avenue from Spring Street to Muskegon Avenue, heading west on Muskegon Avenue from Apple Avenue to Ninth Street, and heading north on Ninth Street to Western Avenue. There is no parking at the same time (2am to 6am) for the areas heading west on Western Avenue from Ninth Street to Seventh Street, heading north on Seventh Street from Western Avenue to Shoreline Drive, and on Third Street from Merrill Avenue to Muskegon Avenue.

• • Parking on the terrace is permitted any time from Dec. 1 through March 1 on streets that allow parking on only one side of the street, but not on the paved portion of the terrace.

City officials have said they hope the new rules will ensure Muskegon’s streets and parking spots are neatly plowed during the snowy winter months.

At the time of writing this article, the city of Muskegon website did not have the updated L07 and L09 ordinances updated; when it’s updated, you’ll be able to see information about parking here.

Story by Zach Nordhof, a writer and journalist based in Muskegon. You can reach Zach by emailing muskegontimes@gmail.com.