Parking FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Parking in Ridgefield
Q: What does the Parking Authority do?
A: The Ridgefield Parking Authority is responsible for establishing the rules and regulations for parking in the Central Business District and the Branchville Train Station. This includes working with private property owners through license agreements to provide free, time-limited public parking, managing municipally-owned lots, setting permit distribution limits, and enforcing parking rules and limits through the employment of two Parking Enforcement officers.
Q: When are the parking limits enforced?
A: The current enforcement is Monday thru Friday, with additional enforcement during CHIRP concerts and other large Ballard Park events. The demand for parking downtown is greatest on weekdays because of the large number of office workers who work Monday through Friday.
Q: Where can I park downtown?
A: The Ridgefield Parking Authority has created a map that displays where and how long you can park downtown, you can click here to view that map.
Q: Where can I park all day downtown for free?
A : The town-owned Governor Street lot between the RVNA and the Boys & Girls Club
Q: Why are some lots labeled “private” on the map?
A: The majority of the parking lots are privately owned, and some of those property owners have not entered into a license agreement with the Town. There are only three lots downtown that are owned by the municipality: behind Town Hall, a portion of the Bailey Ave lot, and the Governor St lot located between the RVNA and the Boys & Girls Club. The lots we manage under license agreements include the private portion of the Bailey Avenue lot, the Willett Properties lot (440 Main Street), the Donnelly lot (in front of and to the east of the Ridgefield Thrift Shop), the Amatuzzi lot (behind 411-419 Main Street) and the CVS lot. In addition, we enforce the limits on Main Street spaces.
Q: What are license agreements?
A: License agreements are contracts between the Town of Ridgefield and a property owner to allow legal enforcement and periodic re-striping in exchange for allowing public use of their property for parking, thus allowing the lot to operate as a municipal lot, with enforcement of agreed-upon time limits.
Q: Where can I find a list of parking violations and their associated fines?
A: You can find a list of parking violations and associated fines by clicking here.
Q: Is the Ridgefield Parking Authority associated with other town commissions or boards?
A: Technically speaking, no. We do provide input when requested, and will comment on any proposals or land use applications that may affect parking in the Central Business District.
Q: Why does the Parking Authority exist and who appoints its members?
A: The Parking Authority exists under Town Ordinance 12-3 to 12-5. It consists of five members appointed by the Board of Selectman for one-year terms. There are currently 2 vacancies.
Q: How do I get in contact with the Parking Authority?
A: The Parking Authority generally meets every third Thursday of the month at 8 am in the large conference room in Town Hall. Outside of those regular meetings, you can contact [email protected] or [email protected] and they will forward your request to a member of the Parking Authority.
Q: I got a parking ticket, how do I pay or appeal it?
A: Parking citations can be paid online by clicking here. If you wish to try and appeal the ticket please follow the instructions here and attend the next Parking Appeals Hearing.