The Newport City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at City Hall to take up on second reading a proposal that would significantly overhaul the city’s residential parking permit program.
The special session follows a first reading scheduled for the regularly scheduled City Council meeting Wednesday, March 11. If adopted, the changes would take effect for the upcoming parking season, which begins in May.
The proposal would establish two categories of residential permits, with priority given to year-round Newport residents and active-duty military personnel stationed locally.
Under the plan, each full-time Newport resident would receive three free residential parking permits. Non-resident property owners and tenants with leases longer than seven months but shorter than 12 months would be entitled to no more than one permit per property owner or lessee. Properties owned by limited liability companies or trusts would be limited to two permits per address. Permit fees for non-resident categories, if any, would be set by the City Council.
Beyond on-street parking in designated residential neighborhoods, permit holders would also receive free access to Easton’s Beach throughout the summer, along with three free hours of parking in any metered space or municipal lot citywide.
Permits would be tied to specific vehicle registrations and enforced by police traffic aids and electronic license plate readers.
Residents seeking a permit would be required to submit updated documentation annually — either online or in person — verifying residency, property ownership or lease status, and providing a valid vehicle registration.
Additional information is available at CityofNewport.com/ResidentParking.
The meeting is open to the public.