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Wichita pauses citations for first‑time 'back‑in' parking offenses, will issue warnings and add signage
Summary
After community complaints about sudden enforcement, city parking staff said Car Park will issue courtesy warnings to first‑time offenders for backing into parking stalls, improve signage and expand public outreach; staff cited license‑plate reader limits and damage to city property as reasons the prohibition remains.
City parking staff told council that the municipal ordinance (11.52.02(29)) prohibits parking in a stall with the vehicle backed into the space and that recent enforcement by contractor Car Park led to dozens of backing‑in citations in 2024–2026. Stephanie (parking program staff) said Car Park issued about 120 backing‑in citations in 2025 and roughly 161 so far in 2026, and that many affected motorists had paid for parking sessions but were unaware backing in was an enforceable violation.
Stephanie said staff acknowledged communication and signage gaps and proposed an immediate courtesy‑warning policy for first‑time offenders: "Issue a courtesy warning the first time and track that plate; the second time they may receive a citation," she said. Staff also committed to improving signage at high‑use lots (Century II surface lot south of the Hyatt was cited as a place with sparse signage) and updating pay‑station and mobile app messaging.
City officials explained the operational rationale: Car Park uses electronic license‑plate readers that read rear plates only (Kansas issues rear plates), and backing into a stall can block a rear plate or make enforcement inefficient. Staff also cited recurring damage to city assets—planters, decorative fences and curbing—from vehicles backing into obstructions as a cost driver.
Council members sought data breakdowns (how many citations were issued to people who had paid vs those who had not) and options for signage and public outreach. Staff said the enforcement roll‑out would shift to warnings first, refine signage and return with detailed enforcement and appeal data from municipal court.
