Instructions for Posting 'No Parking this Space' and 'No Parking this Block' Signs on City of Boulder Right-of-Way Property

Sign Posting

  1. Anytime an applicant wishes reserve parking spaces in the public right of way, signage must be acquired through the City of Boulder. Contact Parking Services for more information.
  2. Applicant must place signs at least 24 hours in advance of the reserved parking space date/time of the space(s) in metered areas and at least 72 hours in non-metered areas.
  3. Meter Permits, and Signs must be posted directly adjacent to or within 15 feet of the assigned location/block face.
  4. Meter Permits and Signs cannot be used at 30-minute zones or accessible parking meters. If ADA spaces are reserved, they must be relocated and signed through the Planning Department and ROW before the work is done.
  5. To comply with towing requirements, the person posting the sign must initial, date, and timestamp the back of the sign.
  6. Signage must be filled out completely and legibly. The information must be written on the sign - not on tape.
  7. Signs may be attached to city signposts using zip ties or a similar solution. Tape is prohibited due to residue.
  8. Signs cannot be placed on trees, shrubbery, bike racks, or pay stations.
  9. If no suitable surface is available for attachment, you are responsible for providing appropriate signage support, such as an H-frame, wooden stake, or traffic cone with a wooden stake, to secure the "No Parking" sign.
  10. Please email a photo of the first and last sign posted by location. This is required to be emailed to: parkingservices@bouldercolorado.gov.
  11. Signs must be taken down within 2 hours after work is complete when the date and time have expired.
  12. Signage must be maintained. It is the vendor's responsibility to maintain the signage for impounds or relocates to occur.

Signage Placement

Sign placement guidelines must be followed to be enforceable. Failure to follow these sign placement guidelines may render enforcement and towing actions legally invalid.

  • No Parking This Block Signs (red) must be placed on both sides of the entrance/exit to affected lots.
  • No Parking This Block Signs (red) must be placed 15-20 ft apart along the affected curb, including lots, to maintain continuous notice.
  • No Parking This Space Signs (green) must be placed directly in front of the affected space at a height of 4—6 feet.
  • Each sign must clearly display the date and time at which towing will begin. The time must accurately reflect when the space is officially reserved, and towing becomes legally enforceable.
  • Signage must be maintained. It is the vendor's responsibility to maintain the signage for impounds or relocates to occur.

Towing

If a tow is required due to illegal parking in a reserved work zone, construction area, street closure, or event space, the following ordinances authorize vehicle impoundment and citation issuance:

  1. As it is related to impounding or issuing a violation per the ordinances:
    1. 7-7-2 Authority of the City to Impound Vehicles
    2. 7-6-13{b)(8) Parking in Work Zone or Construction Area or Street Closure Definition of Ordinance 7-6-13 (b) (8): (b) No vehicle may be parked: In a manner that obstructs the commencement or ongoing operation of a public construction, maintenance, or repair project, or a street closure, after seventy-two hours' advance notice of the parking prohibition and the time it is has been conspicuously posted and reasonable efforts have been made to maintain notice on the site.
  2. To request a tow, call:
    1. Parking & Access Services 303-413-7300 ext. 4, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    2. Evenings/Weekends/Holidays: Call Police Dispatch at 303-441-3333
Example of acceptable parking signage

Example of Acceptable Alternative

Example of acceptable parking signage