HONOLULU (KHON2) — Have you ever come out to your parked car to find a ticket, or worse that your vehicle has been towed?
In Hawaiʻi, there are several parking violations that the average person might not be aware of; so, KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find out what are some of Hawaiʻi’s lesser-known parking violations that can land you in hot water.
Here are some common ones we found.
Parking on sidewalks: It is illegal to park on sidewalks, even partially. This includes parking with wheels on the sidewalk or driveway apron.
Blocking driveways: Parking in front of or obstructing a driveway is prohibited, even if it is your own driveway.
Parking too close to intersections: Vehicles must be parked at least 20 feet away from intersections to avoid obstructing the view of drivers and pedestrians.
Parking against traffic flow: You must park in the direction of traffic flow. Parking against the flow of traffic is considered a violation.
Parking in bike lanes: It is illegal to park in designated bike lanes. These lanes must be kept clear for cyclists.
Double parking: Parking alongside another vehicle that is already parked at the curb (double parking) is not allowed, even for short periods.
Parking on bridges: Parking on bridges or in tunnels is prohibited, except in emergencies.
Parking too close to fire hydrants: You must park at least 10 feet away from fire hydrants to ensure they are accessible in case of a fire.
Parking in crosswalks: Parking on or obstructing a crosswalk is illegal and can endanger pedestrians.
Parking in handicap spaces without a permit: It is illegal to park in designated handicap spaces without displaying the appropriate permit or placard.
Parking in loading zones: These zones are reserved for loading and unloading goods and passengers. Parking in a loading zone for other purposes is a violation.
Parking in front of bus stops: It is prohibited to park in areas designated for bus stops to ensure buses can safely pick up and drop off passengers.
Exceeding time limits in time-limited zones: Many areas have time-limited parking zones and exceeding the posted time limit can result in a violation.
Parking on unpaved surfaces: Parking on unpaved surfaces or grassy areas is often prohibited, especially in residential neighborhoods.
Obstructing traffic: Parking in a manner that obstructs the normal flow of traffic, such as parking too far from the curb, is not allowed.
Parking in no parking zones: Always observe and adhere to no parking signs, which indicate areas where parking is prohibited.
Parking too close to railroad tracks: You must park at least 50 feet away from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
Parking on ramps: Parking on ramps, whether on highways or in parking structures, is usually prohibited.
Parking in fire lanes: Fire lanes must be kept clear at all times to allow emergency vehicles to access buildings quickly.
Using residential permits in non-designated areas: In areas where residential permits are required, using a permit in a non-designated area or with an expired permit is a violation.
Being aware of these common parking violations can help you avoid fines and contribute to safer and more orderly parking practices in Hawaiʻi.