ParkPeekWhat does this parking sign mean? A plain-words decoder
Short answer
Red signs say what you cannot do (no parking, no standing, no stopping). Green signs say what you can do and for how long (for example 2 hour parking). Times and days show when the rule is in force. An arrow shows which side of the pole it covers. When signs disagree, the strictest one in force right now wins.
Colors
- Red text or red background: a ban. No parking, no standing, no stopping, tow-away.
- Green text: what is allowed, usually with a time limit like “2 HR PARKING”.
- Blue or a wheelchair symbol: disabled parking only, with a placard or plate.
Common words
- Tow-away: break the rule and your car can be towed, not just ticketed.
- Except Sunday / except holidays: the rule is off on those days.
- Zone 6 permit / residential permit: permit holders are exempt from the time limit. Visitors are not.
- Street cleaning, 1st & 3rd Wed: the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month only.
- Pay at meter / pay by app: you can park, but you must pay during the posted hours.
Read any pole in 4 steps
- 1. Find the signs whose arrows cover your side of the pole.
- 2. Cross out any whose day or hours are not in force right now.
- 3. Of what is left, the strictest rule wins.
- 4. Check when the next rule starts. That is when you must move.
That is exactly what ParkPeek does from one photo, and it shows you the line on the sign that decided it, so you can check it yourself.
Standing at a confusing pole right now?
Snap it. Get YES or NO, how long you can stay, and the line that decides it. 3 free scans a month.
Check my signQuestions
What does a red parking sign mean?
A red sign is a ban, such as no parking, no standing or no stopping, during the hours shown.
What does a green parking sign mean?
A green sign says parking is allowed, usually with a time limit (like 2 hours) during the hours shown.
What if two signs disagree?
The strictest rule that is in force at that moment, on your side of the pole, wins.