Transported: What's the Deal with Parking on the Dolores Park Medians?

Welcome to "Transported", our new weekly series about getting places in San Francisco, whether you take the bus or the BART, bike or drive. Come here to find the skinny on secret parking spots, the new bike lanes and how to get across town on MUNI without losing your mind.

A hot button issue for people in the 7x7 offices with cars is how, why, when and where parking on the Dolores and Valencia Street medians is legal. And besides, doesn't it seem strange for a liberal town like San Francisco to mix church and state?

Well apparently, it's not very legal at all—it's actually an unspoken agreement the myriad houses of worship that dot Dolores, Guerrero and Valencia Streets have with the city to look the other way during their services.

Paul Rose, an official at the SFMTA , maintains that the city has no policy whatsoever on median parking for churches: "Churches have working arrangements with the community and their neighbors to use various parking methods in the area, as long as it does not prevent access to properties or cause disruption."

What are these arrangements, and when did they come about?

"For the past 50 years or so, the city has allowed church parking on major boulevards, all along Dolores, Guerrero, Valencia, near Glide Memorial downtown and around some Asian churches in the Richmond," explained Bill Schappert, the properties co-chair at Dolores Park Church. "They say all cars must be gone by dusk. Our members haven't gotten ticketed in a long, long time."

But police officers do often ticket and even tow cars left near medians if they haven't been moved by the time most Sunday services are over, which is around 1 pm.

To squash confusion, Sha'ar Zahav Synagogue on the corner of 16th and Dolores gives their members signs to put on their dashboards while their attending services especially at night, but it doesn't always work.

"I've gotten ticketed myself," laughed Regina Wurst, administrator at Sha'ar Zahav. "They don't care. It doesn't make a difference what you tell the officers. What one guy says is different from what the other guy will say."

I regularly see drivers parking on the Dolores or Valencia Street medians, get out, and walk right past any nearby churches and into a storefront to shop.

"People do take advantage of the parking situation, but they're taking their lives into their own hands," Wurst continued. She says she's fielded calls from angry drivers who aren't even Synagogue members complaining of getting a $65 ticket who admit they merely parked to attend brunch in the area.

Rose says the parking citations, usually $65, are mainly "response driven"—meaning they give out tickets when neighbors complain.

Schappert, a longtime Mission resident who has worked at Dolores Park Church even longer, says, "I think the police should just let sleeping doves lie. It shouldn't be just for the churches. It's a small amount of inconvenience to the community at large. If they ever eliminate it, I would start a campaign to reinstate it."

Lesson learned? If you have to park on the median, be sly and get out of there quick. Rose advises drivers to use common sense and not block driveways, serviceways, and to pay attention to signs. Have you gotten a ticket on one of these medians? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

In the hell of trying to find parking to have dinner in the Mission, I saw several cars parked along the median on Dolores St and joined. I wasn't blocking any entryways and there was no signage. It appeared as though several other city dwellers also believed this was legitimate parking. I was shocked at the amount of the ticket ($65). There's a sign on every other block of the city, why leave this area vague, then ticket (or tow!) only certain cars on a whim?

By Anonymous (not verified) on December 21, 2011

actually parked in the median one sunday and then came back after dinner (after sunset) and my car had been towed.

however, i was able to petition the towing though through a "tow hearing". and the city gave me back my money!

the "de facto" rule apparently is that you can park until sunset on sunday but then they tow you.

i recommend requesting a hearing if you get towed or a ticket.
i think there is a public policy position taking place for the city to put up signs about the "de facto" rule--otherwise, it is totally arbitrary and no one knows when they can or cannot park there.

By Anonymous (not verified) on September 17, 2010

I live at 17th and Dolores and I personally don't have a problem with the Sunday church/park/brunch crowd doing the median parking, not a big deal, however, the city does not seem to agree. I have seen MANY, MANY cars not just ticketed but towed from the median...the whole "well everyone else is parked here it must be fine" reasoning does not apply here.

I once asked a DPT guy (in front of my house, towing cars) about it and he said that it is never legal, they just have to have enough DPT officers available from around the city to come over and orchestrate the whole ticket and tow scene, which usually seems to be around 8pm, so the midday median parking seems to be pretty safe, but I really wouldn't take the chance, and if so definitely be gone by 7...

By Anonymous (not verified) on September 16, 2010

Funny they say "Churches have working arrangements with the community and their neighbors to use various parking methods in the area, as long as it does not prevent access to properties or cause disruption."

I lived in an area and had my garage blocked many of times. I never recall any one asking me if I minded. I noticed when I called the DPT they always seem to show up after services were over. I guess they are holier than I.

By KD (not verified) on September 16, 2010

Our stupid mayor insists that this is a transit first city but allows this crap.

By SCUM (not verified) on September 16, 2010

I live in the area of Dolores Park & need to look for parking in the area on a regular basis. I still never resort to parking illegally in the middle of the street. This is a lane of traffic & it is dangerous for drivers. Many times I will come upon a car parked in the lane after dark and see other unsuspecting vehicles screeching to a halt in order not to hit them. No one should be able to park in the lane for any reason. If you don't want to circle for parking, take public transportation, ride a bike or walk to the churches of Dolores Park.

By Anonymous (not verified) on September 16, 2010

I think it entirely wrong to give a preference to religious groups. Why should their activities be any more important than any one else's? Those wanting to shop or go to the park have the same rights as somebody wanting to listen and worship. Our city values equality highly and giving special rights to religious people is just wrong.

By bw (not verified) on September 16, 2010

More background: http://sfappeal.com/news/2010/06/does-sf-allow-illegal-church-parking-co...

By Mattymatt (not verified) on September 16, 2010

Good to know! I have been wondering about this for-ev-er.

By MattSF (not verified) on September 15, 2010