DDOT Allows Visitor Parking Pass

Free visitor passes will be available on request for D.C. residents from the D.C. Department of Transportation.

While not all details regarding the new passes have been released, DDOT has said that they will be valid from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2014. They must be used inside the boundaries of the passholder’s advisory neighborhood commission.

Through a previous pilot program, free passes were mailed to all households in certain neighborhoods. Now residents of all areas that are required to buy a street-parking permit will be able to request a free visitor pass from the department. Those who want a visitor pass must request it. Temporary visitor parking permits have been regularly obtained from local Metropolitan Police Department precincts.

Some believe this set up could be used improperly. Residents might simply sell their yearlong pass to the highest bidder for coveted parking spaces, especially in Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Downtown.