San Francisco residents accuse rich drivers of using $209 loophole to snag public parking spaces — city threatens $1K-a-day fines

“It’s just extremely easy in San Francisco to get a permit. You can get it without actually having any construction done to your home or property, you can put down landscaping as an excuse for getting a permit, and the cost isn’t really all that expensive,” Long told KTVU.

In his Instagram reel, Long scanned one of the permits on his street and discovered that it had expired and didn’t authorize towing. Although he acknowledged that most of the signs appeared legitimate, he questioned whether the city was doing enough to prevent misuse.

The cost of claiming a parking spot

San Francisco allows property owners to temporarily reserve curbside space for construction, landscaping and other approved projects. According to San Francisco Public Works, a standard street space permit costs $209 per month for every 20 linear feet, with additional fees for occupying metered parking.

Property owners can apply online, but Long is concerned about how easily someone can obtain a permit and how much oversight there is once it’s issued.

“But you apply online, you submit nothing and the city doesn’t have the resources to follow up,” Long explained in his Instagram reel. “That’s a system that’s easy to abuse.”

Long said Public Works confirmed to him in writing that it lacks the resources to monitor permit activity. Violations can carry fines of up to $1,000 per day.

San Francisco isn’t alone in facing these concerns. In February 2025, Boston city councilors Sharon Durkan and John FitzGerald called for a hearing after residents complained about contractors occupying public parking spaces with expired permits and unauthorized no-parking signs, according to The Boston Sun.

On Sept. 18, 2025, the issue had reached a city council hearing, where officials discussed ways to improve oversight and enforcement. For residents in neighborhoods where parking is already hard to come by, it’s another example of how a system meant to accommodate construction can create headaches for everyone else.

Who’s keeping an eye on the permits?

In a statement to Moneywise, Public Works spokesperson Rachel Gordon said the city expects permit holders to follow the rules and use temporary street spaces only for their approved purpose.

“We expect permitholders to abide by the rules and not abuse the system,” Gordon said. “If we get a complaint of an expired street space permit, or that the street space permit is not being used for its sanctioned purpose, we will conduct a timely investigation and, if warranted, take enforcement action.”

That enforcement could include fines of up to $1,000 a day.

Gordon also said city data suggests permit misuse isn’t a widespread problem, but confirmed that complaints submitted through San Francisco’s 311 customer service center would be investigated.

Still, some residents are questioning why the responsibility falls on them to flag potential violations in the first place.

“That is interesting that it puts it on the residents, ‘cause you would think that we could have some funding. I mean the meter maids are always out there,” Presidio Heights resident Hannah Rutter told KTVU.