The Atlanta City Council approved legislation July 21 that establishes procedures for permitting and regulating valet parking services that use the public right of way.
Council member Kwanza Hall introduced the legislation last fall. Atlanta will implement it on a trial basis in downtown and Midtown before taking it citywide.
The council’s Transportation Committee held several public hearings on the issue, reviewed the practices of major cities that regulate valet parking, and sought input from residents and business owners on its impact.
“By benchmarking other successful urban centers, we learned that the ability to offer on-street valet is critical to the success of quality retail,” said Susan Mendheim, the president and CEO of the Midtown Alliance. “The addition of this provision for downtown and Midtown means we will continue attracting the highest caliber of tenants to the Peachtree corridor.”
Jennifer Ball of Central Atlanta Progress said the ability of a valet service to operate in the public right of way, particularly where no off-street private property is available for the operation, adds “one more step forward” in the city’s revitalization.
An application process will allow the Department of Public Works to balance the many demands made on city streets.
“This legislation opens up new opportunities for valet operators in the city while ensuring that they act as good neighbors.” Hall said.
Failure to comply with any regulations could result in penalties or permit revocation.