SF couple got ‘absurd’ $1.5K fine for parking in their driveway, now city will ‘modernize’ rules
By Stephanie Sierra
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SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Parking can be tough all over San Francisco. But one couple received a hefty fine for parking in what looked like a reasonable spot: their own driveway.
After 7 On Your Side got involved, the couple was allowed to keep parking in front of their own home, and the $1,500 fine was waived. Now, three years later, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is taking further action to make parking less of a headache.
The story of Ed and Judy went viral back in 2022: They parked their car on the concrete pad immediately in front of their Diamond Heights home, just like they had for the past 36 years. But one day they got a notice saying — it was illegal.
“Unbelievable!” said Ed. “It was deemed illegal because of the beautification desire for the neighborhood.”
Yet, ironically the result wasn’t pretty. Judy says the rule just exacerbated a parking eyesore on their steep street.
Not long after that, they got a ticket… for $1,542!
The San Francisco Planning Department issued the ticket for violating a code enacted to “ensure that front yards don’t turn into parking lots,” noting the house did not have a garage or cover. They threatened an additional fine of $250 per day if the car remained parked in front of their house.
“Absurd! It’s absurd! It’s like somebody just made up a rule…” Ed said. “And didn’t care if it made any sense!”
Well, it gets worse.
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