Dublin City Council admits 'we're confused as well' about outdated parking bye-laws
Dublin City Council has got a parking issue, with a council official admitting “we’re confused as well” regarding permits for those in apartments.
A lack of parking options for those living in apartments has been a consistent problem over the past several years, as increasingly complexes are being built without parking spaces to accommodate its residents. Executive Manager Brendan O'Brien discussed this problem at today’s Mobility and Public Realm SPC and said the current bye-laws are outdated.
Mr O’Brien said the bye-laws were written in the 1990s and during this time large apartment complexes on residential roads were not common, but today it has become normal. “New Dublin residents tend to live in apartments more and more, this is the new reality. In the past people would move to apartments to eventually move into a house, but now they’re having children and this is their forever home," he said.
With this change in living circumstances comes major challenges, as there’s not enough parking to accommodate the large influx of people living in housing complexes. Add to this, government policy to reduce spaces beside areas with good public transport and many residents are left warring with their neighbours over limited on-street parking.
While the current bye-laws do allow for permits to be issued for apartment type dwellings at a cost ten times more expensive than conventional ones, the fact is that there is rarely enough room on residential streets to allow for permits to be issued. Mr O’Brien said “most streets are in high demand,” meaning they are unable to give out new permits to residents .
Mr O’Brien explained that any changes to their current parking permit regulations could potentially clash with national and council policy. He said looking over all the details “we are slightly confused as well” and “one thing that is clear is we need to update this part of the bye-laws". To achieve this, the proper statutory process must be followed and there will be a period of public consultation.
The issue of simmering tensions between neighbours due to the current parking rules was brought up by Sinn Fein Cllr Ciaran O Meachair at April’s South Central Area Committee meeting where he highlighted the plight of Dublin 8 residents who are unable to secure a parking permit for their own street. Following complaints from residents of two complexes beside Chamber Street (Weaver Place and Poplin Place), he called on the council to review its parking-bye laws.
Under the 2024 bye-laws, any development with more than four units is ineligible for an on-street parking permit. Cllr O Meachair pointed out that this rule excludes almost all people who live in apartment complexes. This became an issue for residents of Chamber Street when a pay-and-display system was introduced earlier this year.
The council response cited the 2024 Parking Control Bye Laws which state that “where the building consists of more than four housing units and is located on a heavy demand road, residents shall not be eligible for residents’ parking permits.” Cllr O Meachair stressed that this system is leading to “local tensions” as residents have been moving their vehicles to other streets where they are able to avail of free parking without a permit.
“The Chamber Street issue is crazy. Residents moved into the apartments over two years ago and parked on the street with no issues until now. Paid parking was introduced onto the street earlier this year and now the residents are being told they are ineligible for a permit,” he said.
“It's bizarre people would be able to park without any permit, then after two years get told they need one and aren't eligible for it. Most residents are just parking on nearby streets now, but that is ultimately going to create conflict with residents who live on those streets.”
The debacle points to a much broader issue, with Cllr O Meachair stating people across Dublin 8 have been moving into apartments only to later find out they can’t get a permit for their car. He said there is “definitely a lack of proper communication” from letting agents toward new tenants, as residents are only finding out they are ineligible after their application is refused.
“ Dublin City Council are encouraging people to live in apartments. But then they’re telling them they can’t park their car anywhere. They are effectively asking people to choose between a home and their car,” he said.
“Ultimately it is discrimination against people who live in apartments. It’s akin to saying they don’t have the same stake in the community as someone who lives in a house.”
These concerns were echoed by Labour Cllr Darragh Moriarty who said he’s noticing a trend where new apartment developments are delivering fewer and fewer parking spaces. While this may encourage the council’s Active Travel goals to encourage more public transport and reduced reliance on personal vehicles, it’s leaving those who require a car in a very difficult position.
“On Chamber Street there’s only a dozen residential homes and there’s ample parking beyond the needs of those 12,” he said. “At its core, it’s basic discrimination for people who live side-by-side.”
He agreed that it’s “untenable to have this two-tier system” where “you are seen to have more of a stake in the community if you live in a house as opposed to an apartment.”
Administrative Officer with Parking Enforcement Suzanne Lacey said she understands the frustrations of apartment residents who aren’t able to park their car. “Unfortunately, developers don’t seem to be taking into account parking for the residents they are selling to,” she said.
Ms Lacey said at the time that they have no choice but to work within the bounds of the current bye-laws, but that there will be a review and suggestions for changes in the current legislation are more than welcome.
Now, Mr O’Brien confirmed they are setting out “the pros and cons” of alternative options and the issue will be discussed once again at the next SPC before going to public consultation. Chairperson Councillor Janet Horner agreed to “park that discussion” until the next Mobility and Public Realm SPC to be held on September 9.
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