Last night I parked in a public parking spot at WeHo and paid however when I got to my car I saw that I got a ticket for not parking “head in” which costs me $58 which is pretty draconian.
I also saw a Tesla that was using the charging station there and also got the same ticket, and as you may know the Tesla can’t charge itself when parking head in as the charge port is in the rear.
So California, as I’m assuming West Hollywood, is encouraging people to buy electric cars, but also giving people $58 tickets for parking Teslas in order to charge them.
I have reached out to the city council as well as the city attorney Lauren Langer but have not received a call back.
Diko Chamelian
The city’s reply
Head-in only parking requirements, where they exist in the City of West Hollywood, are based in providing visual access to electronic license-plate readers (LRPs) in Parking Enforcement vehicles, as some parked vehicles may not correctly display front license plates.
As a policy, the City of West Hollywood does not cite electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) for head-in parking at any of its charging stations for the very reason noted in your post: not all EVs and PHEVs have charging ports that are accessible to charging stations when they are parked head-in.
The City’s Parking Services Division reviewed details regarding the citations referenced in the WEHOville post. The BMW (not an EV) was cited for failure to obey sign for head-in parking only and the Tesla (an EV) was cited for expired meter, not for failure to obey sign for head-in parking only.
As always, the City encourages anyone with questions or concerns – including people who feel they have received a citation issued incorrectly – to reach out. Citations may be appealed online by visiting www.weho.org/parkingand clicking on the citation portal, or by calling (888) 736-7697.
Best –
Sheri
[…] could not understand the reasoning, and she’s not the only one. WEHOville readers pointed out the same issue in […]
I know others have given reasons for why head-in parking is required, but let’s look at what the City said: “Head-in only parking requirements, where they exist in the City of West Hollywood, are based in providing visual access to electronic license-plate readers (LRPs) in Parking Enforcement vehicles, as some parked vehicles may not correctly display front license plates.” What I read is that the City has created a separate violation that is more convenient to enforce than the underlying violation of not having a front license plate. This seems like an ass-backward way to enforce the laws. If, as… Read more »
The reason people get mad at people backing in is because that space will not be available. The reason people have more patience with someone backing out is because that space will now be available to them!
I was definitely thinking ” maybe they got a ticket for something else? ” haha. I’ve seen parking enforcement at the WeHo Tesla station, reminding drivers they need to pay at machine before they leave. It look like he wrote down everyone’s plates too. If you didn’t pay you were getting a ticket.
That’s my thoughts…
Sheri, Sounds like you have an excuse for everything❗️As far as head in parking I’m all for it as it’s frustrating waiting for some geezer trying to back in to a space for 5 minutes. ALL EV’s should get a pass❗️
Dude (aka “Sheri”), just head in park like you’re suppose to. While you’re at it, get a front license plate.
I can’t stand most Tesla owners, but the reason for head in parking has to do with exhaust fumes, which electric cars don’t have. They should really be given a pass.
Good, I’m glad that you got a ticket! I’m so sick of waiting for people to back into parking spaces. Parking lots are not designed for people to back into spaces, and most people suck at it anyway! Why are you even backing into a parking space in the first place? Are you driving a getaway car?
Some safety elements aside, as ever the servants eventually becomes the masters. Gawd forbid the plate checker leave his vehicle and look for the license plate if it is not in plain view. How about putting these folk on bikes? Save money on fuel, no need for cars. Help me! I’m drowning in regulations!!
Over-regulation has been the political conservative’s lament for decades!
Yea right…
And yet the Weho political “elite” are Democrats. Haha, whose for more government now?
Then obviously the “head in” parking rule must be updated, and allow for any and all electric cars that have the charging apparatus in the back. This should not be rocket science for City Council? SHOULD IT? We must stay current [pun intended] with the modernization of vehicles.
I’m a pretty accountable person. To your own attest there was reasonable signage on to how not to get a ticket. But you, (you chose) for whatever reason (and we all know that reason) you chose to not to follow the clearly laid out instructions. West Hollywood is absolutely insane with parking, the signs might as well be written in Sand-script. As far as villianizing one of the most progressive cities in the country kindly step back. I own a Tesla, they can charge head in or back, I don’t know where you got your information. I don’t what you’re… Read more »
A friend parked in front of my building and got a ticket for not turning his wheels towards the curb. The street is flat on the section where I live but 83 feet up an incline begins and there is a sign at that point. He challenged the ticket with pictures and measurements but the city won’t overturn it. There was a policy once, before the pandemic, to forgive the first parking violation each year for WeHo residents. I have had that grace extended to me twice over the years. A while back I forgot what day it was and… Read more »
Residents must warn the guest of the ‘unique’ parking regulations in WeHo. Our street got permit parking only a while back, and it has certainly been enormously helpful so residents and our guest can find a parking space a bit more easily.
Should have also gotten a ticket for not having a front plate, which I would bet money the Tesla also did not have.