While locals around the Historic Triangle set out their dips and chips for Super Bowl watch parties on Sunday, their guests might be driving around looking for a place to park for a while.
In each locality there are different rules and regulations regarding public and private parking. Whether you’re a Patriots or Rams fan, your car can be towed just the same, so it might be a good idea to be familiar with the rules.
Williamsburg
Police Chief Sean Dunn said guests can park on city streets for up to four hours without a permit on Saturdays and Sundays.
“This affords residents the chance to host family and friends for Super Bowl parties without the need to make special arrangements,” Dunn said.
That allowance is in effect all on weekends, not just Super Bowl Sunday, and only impacts neighborhoods that require residential parking permits.
Those neighborhoods and streets are listed on an online city parking brochure.
For people planning on staying more than four hours, they will need a guest parking permit which are obtained annually by homeowners and renters.
Dunn said the police department doesn’t plan any additional parking enforcement ambassadors this weekend, but enforcement will continue per usual.
Those planning to host large get-togethers should contact the police department to let them know they are hosting a special event, Dunn said.
Safety regulations are also still in effect despite the Super Bowl. Visitors should not block driveways, fire hydrants or handicap parking spots.
Guests in downtown can also park at the Parking Terrace off North Boundary Street, the Prince George Parking Garage or the library parking lot by the Stryker Center.
York County
Shelly Ward, spokeswoman for the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, said if a person is parked on private property without consent then the property owner has the right to have that vehicle towed. That includes commercial businesses where a person might park and leave their car to attend a nearby party.
“If someone were going to park in a business parking lot that’s open they should go in there and talk to the owners and get permission,” Ward said.
Ward said in the past the sheriff’s office has very rarely had complaints about parking issues on Super Bowl Sunday. But she also said drivers should be careful when attending parties in neighborhoods that fall under homeowners associations because the rules could be more strict.
Within the county there are 86 different homeowners associations, each with different codes and regulations regarding parking. York County’s website has a full list of the associations along with their respective contacts if residents have any questions or concerns.
James City County
Residents in James City County might have wider expanse of options for parking when going to a friend’s Super Bowl Party.
But for neighbors on the block, large parties with multiple cars parked along the road can still cause some irritation.
“It would be cordial if someone is having a gathering where there’s going to be excessive parking that people let their neighbors know in advance,” said Stephanie Williams, spokeswoman for James City County Police.
Williams said drivers are allowed to park in areas permitted by code.
For individual properties, this means a person must have explicit consent from the property owner to park a vehicle there.
If a guest were to park out front of a neighbor’s home, they would not be causing any violation. There are exceptions to this though, Williams said. For both York and JCC such as if a car is blocking the driveway or if a car is preventing adequate space for emergency vehicles to enter a property or neighborhood.
Those regulations will vary depending on if a neighborhood has a homeowners association. James City County does not have a list of associations online.
