Transportation committee approves 24-hour parking permit option for city lots

The Oshkosh City Transportation Committee on Sept. 9 voted to add a 24-hour parking permit option for city-owned lots, a change that staff said will require a minor ordinance amendment and can be implemented through the city's Passport parking system.

Jim Collins, transportation staff, outlined the existing parking permit framework and said the city currently offers daily permits (valid until 6 p.m.), monthly permits, annual permits and short-term temporary permission called in through the police department. Collins said adding a 24-hour product would give downtown visitors and short-term overnight guests a lawful option instead of parking on the street or in unauthorized spaces and would add a modest revenue stream. "We could put a 24 hour product in there... We were thinking $6 for 24 hour permit would be reasonable," Collins said.

Committee members asked about snow removal and enforcement; staff said public-works operations already accommodate parked cars during plowing operations and that the Passport system would give staff contact information for permit holders if issues arise.

After discussion a motion to add the 24-hour permit passed on a roll call vote of the committee. Staff will draft ordinance language to add the permit product and return it for council consideration and for updating the municipal parking ordinance as necessary. Collins said staff would work with the media team to publicize the new option once the ordinance is in place.

The committee also noted the change would support tourism and downtown activity by giving visitors a clear, app-based way to purchase lawful overnight parking in city lots.