Residential Parking Restrictions

Before coming to Merida, the last city I lived in was Calgary, Alberta. For various reasons all of which I have forgotten, we moved to a more rural setting. My memory of Calgary, and specifically dealing with civic authority was fraught with rules, paper and bureaucracy.

Learn the rules!

An example. I want to put a driveway from the street to my newly constructed carport or garage. Perhaps, all I want to do is park my Winnebago beside my bungalow. What I need is a driveway that does not get blocked by the neighbours or their guests. I've bought my two-four and am ready to head out to the wilderness to party. What do I do if my driveway is blocked?  I NEED my driveway free for my escape.

Sorry about Grandma - learn the rules!

There are rules covering preparation for this contingency. Please refer to "Bylaws and permits related to street use". Don't be afraid, it is less than 100
pages, at last reading.
Do not, at your peril, attempt to circumvent or ignore these rules!

Well, fortunately some cities have solved these problems My good fortune has planted me in just such a community. Lets say you want a driveway into your casa. Simple solution to that one - get a jack hammer and do the necessary concrete work.  Bylaws?  What are you dreaming about?

Yellow Line - This is Mine

Primarily, what we want to avoid is someone parking where we want to park. Claro?  For instance, this is my house and I always want to be able to park in front of it.  The previous owner, understanding this simple fact, bought a can of yellow paint and painted the curb the international colour of "don't park here - only functionaries of the state can park here".  It's paint.  He bought it legally. He painted.  Problem solved.

Don't Park Here Because I Say So

Let's say you have a business - maybe selling paper clips or ice cube trays.  Being located on a busy street you definitely don't want your customers going to your competitor simply because there's no place to park in front of your shop.  Easy.  Put up a very large sign informing drivers that this space on the street is only for your clients.  Another problem solved without heading down to city hall and
their tiresome bureaucracy.

Perhaps you have a restaurant and would like to have chairs on the sidewalk.  Those pesky cars parked by the curb inhibit your customers enjoyment of your fine establishment.  This problem is also easily solved.  Get a few large

Just Try to Park Here!

plastic barrels, put rocks in the barrels to weigh them down and place the barrels in as many parking spots as you'd like to maintain.  Two or three parking spaces is reasonable.  Who could complain about your right to make a decent living, selling tacos?

Some might consider these practices somewhat anarchistic.  Some might see them as exercising your freedom of action.  Libertarians will have a point of view as will socialists, communists and social justice warriors.  The comments section is available for reasonable debate amongst these various points of view.  My sense is that no one much cares here - people just want to be left alone to live their lives.