Still Looking for a Parking Space in Rye? You May Be in Luck

Parking is hard to come by in Rye, so much so that many people can spend 30 minutes or more looking for a space downtown on certain afternoons. 

Rye currently maintains four separate parking lists, which include commuter parking for the lots near Rye's Metro-North train station and for numerous city-owned lots. There is also a waiting list to get on these aforementioned lists. 

For residents who are lucky--or unlucky--enough to be on these lists, they may strike gold this summer when the City of Rye begins its annual offering of summer parking on June 15.

But getting a parking space won't be easy. There are currently 901 residents who are eligible for only 15 spaces in the Highland lot this summer, and to get one you'll have to go to the City Clerk's Office at 1051 Boston Post Road on June 8 to claim your spot.

Spaces will be offered on a first come, first serve basis and residents will have to line up on the front steps of the Village Green entrance by 9:00 a.m. A sign in-sheet will be available by 8:30 a.m.

The offer is for residents only. You must bring proof of residency. The Clerk's Office will only accept a utility bill in the applicant's name as proof. You must also have a driver's license, your vehicle registration--and most importantly, cash or check in the amount of $180. 

The parking permits are only valid from June 15  to September 15, 2010.

City Clerk Dawn Nodarse said even though the city maintains lengthy parking lists, every year only a few people show up to claim parking spaces.

"Only about 30 people will show up even though there are only about 15 spaces. The people who are serious about it will be here," Nodarse said.

Rye, like many other cities in Westchester, is notorious for its parking difficulties. Nordarse said people on the parking list for the railroad lot typically have to wait eight to 10 years for a permit. 

Residents who don't get a space this summer may have an opportunity to get parking in the fall when the city allows people with permits to renew them. If someone chooses not to, then an applicant on the waiting list will be eligible.

Nodarse said the process to obtain a parking permit may be cumbersome, but the city does its best to be equitable to residents.

The process, she said, "is designed to be fair to everybody." 

Residents with further questions can  call the City Clerk's Office at 914 967-7371 or email clerk@ryeny.gov.