# Who the fuck is responsible for these dinky-assed parking spaces in every fucking parking lot? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 18, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530 "2010-04-18T14:21:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/61 "2010-04-19T21:54:13Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Little-known fact: the police can enforce laws about parking in handicapped spaces, but can’t do a thing about “stork spaces”, senior citizen spaces, perpetually vacant employee of the month spaces, and so on. True dat. > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I’ve seen these stork spaces referenced on the boards only, but have thankfully never been exposed to such nonsense in real life. Half of me would probably park in the space if I ever saw one just to be an ass, but the other part wouldn’t do it, because doing so would make me an ass. I don’t go out of my way to park in these stupid spots, but I won’t go home instead of shopping over it, either. As far as I’m concerned, a convenience space is a convenience space; it’s up for grabs if the parking lot gets busy. ---
**Author:** ![SylverOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SylverOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SylverOne)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/62 "2010-04-19T22:23:30Z")
A couple of years ago, our employee parking lot (I work at a bank) was striped in this narrow, no-margin-for-error manner. A couple of nasty door dings, an insurance claim or two, and some loud yelling from the employees and 2 months later, the parking lot was re-striped in a more generous fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/63 "2010-04-19T23:29:51Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > And to top the whole thing off, there are those jagoffs who reverse into the spot, which means the logic of parking as far to the right (so to allow drivers to get in easily, or even back out and let passengers in) is totally hosed. I drive an Altima, which isn’t a huge car but neither is it a compact, and I’ve been guilty of this. The reason? In lots where the spaces are too small and the access ways too narrow, it’s much, much easier to be pointing forward when I leave. I don’t know if the newer Altimas are better in this regard, but my 2000 has approximately the turning radius of a city bus.\* Also, when backing out of a parking space, there’s a much greater hazard of running into someone or something, as opposed to backing in. \*I almost never attempt U-turns for fear they’ll turn into three-pointers. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/64 "2010-04-19T23:39:53Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Zoning codes in the 1950s, when minimum parking requirements were first established, based the number of spaces needed for a use or building on worst-case scenarios; basically, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year. The lots sit mostly empty the rest of the year. The numbers in the older codes are institutional relics that continue to live on. Where are these zoning codes in downtown LA? I HATE paying for parking yet it seems like every single freaking building located downtown has no parking and all people have to use the pay parking across the street. I’ve ranted about this before. Now I find out there are zoning laws regulating this?? Great! But where are they downtown? I would like to eliminate all pay parking and just have a big old parking lot in front of every building. Someday, when I’m Emperor, I will bulldoze buildings if they don’t have a free parking lot available in the front. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/65 "2010-04-20T00:05:42Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > I thought this would fit in a minirants thread, but fuck that shit. I think we need a forum for this topic! > > I have a Mazda6. Not a huge car. But the lots at Central Market, the hospital, and the freakin’ parking garage appear to be designed for smartcars. And to top this off, I live in Texas. So a good number of drivers have F-250s and other military grade land vehicles, which are larger than typical cars. Don’t forget the bozos who bought a new car of any kind. That automatically entitles them to park ON a yellow line, thereby blocking two spaces, so that their nice shiny new cars won’t get bumped by the plebes. Makes me wish I had a box full of [these things](http://www.myparkingpermit.com/Parking-Stickers/Parking-Violation-Stickers.aspx) to call their attention to their boorishness. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/66 "2010-04-20T01:21:10Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > If it’s a [2nd generation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda6#2nd_generation) model, it’s built in North America specifically for the American market. It’s larger than the Japanese model it’s based on. It’s about as Japanese as the Toyota Tundra or Honda Ridgeline. Yeah, but it’s not. It’s a 2006, 1st generation “Atenza.” > [@](#): > > But anyway, if you have trouble with tight parking spaces, I suggest you learn how to **back** into parking spaces. I don’t know about you specifically, but most Americans don’t know how to park. I myself had to learn when I moved to Japan and started driving there. If you know how to back into a parking space, you can easily park in a space so narrow that you barely open the door and crawl out. Thanks for the advice, but I’ve driven and parked in the UK and Malaysia. Try parking in Earl’s Court in a VW Polo. Not to mention my 8 years living in Boston, where you either parallel park or leave your car in the driveway. I think I’m pretty deft with narrow parking spots. Anyway, this doesn’t make sense. How does backing into space increase the area in the spot? ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/67 "2010-04-20T01:29:10Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > No, if \*everyone \*does that, it’s exactly the same amount of space as if you all parked in the middle. All you’ve done is shifted the whole thing over, while keeping the spacing the same. Physics says _ **no** _. Okay, I thought about this, and yeah, it only moves everyone rightward. Spatial fail on me. > [@](#): > > I’d be interested to see statistics on car size versus need. I’m guessing the “partly” is a lot smaller than you think. I don’t doubt for a second that there are some people compensating for er, other inadequacies in their vehicles. But what about parents with 2+ kids? People who live on ranches/farms? Contractors that work out of trucks? That’s not everybody, but Central Texas is not an East Coast city. We have shitty public transportation so everybody drives. > [@](#): > > Having lived in Japan, I can assure you that being made by a Japanese company does not mean that your American-bought vehicle is the same size as a typical Japanese car. Never said it did. A poster commented about American yacht-sized cars, and I was informing him/her that the car was not in fact made in these United States. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/68 "2010-04-20T02:33:31Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > In Saskatchewan, you get a discount on vehicle registration if you can prove your land yacht is used in a farming operation. I’d like to see the opposite on city dwellers. That would cut down on urban land yachts.. I’d make an exception for big families. I’m all about keeping our population in check, but also recognize that some people, like me, don’t want any biological children at all, while there are others who would like to have three or more–and why not, if they can be great parents? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/69 "2010-04-20T02:36:02Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > I like the term land yacht. Thanks, guys, for introducing me to it. The Putney Creech Land Yacht appeared about forty years ago in a _Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers_ underground comic. The brothers buy a rusting 1930s era bus, fix it up beautifully, and start offering transportation for hire. It’s all rather hazy now, but – um–they drive off somewhere, things happen, and – ah – they get high :D. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/70 "2010-04-20T02:43:19Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Where are these zoning codes in downtown LA? I HATE paying for parking yet it seems like every single freaking building located downtown has no parking and all people have to use the pay parking across the street. CBDs are often exempt. If there were parking requirements, the amount of land needed for parking, even in ramps, would overwhelm other uses. Some cities have the problem of too much parking downtown, to the extent where public transit systems are no longer viable, there’s no street life, demolished buildings for parking lots make a streetscape look like a British smile, and so on. In some places it’s almost reached the point where there’s practically nothing left downtown _but_ parking. Can’t find parking in downtown LA? Take a bus or Metro Rail. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/71 "2010-04-20T03:34:40Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Anyway, this doesn’t make sense. How does backing into space increase the area in the spot? I may have misunderstood. If the space is so narrow that you can’t turn and drive into it, backing into the space is easier. It allows you to position the back end of the car at the space, then swing the front end around as you enter the space. It’s more obvious when parallel parking; you can’t drive head-first into the space, because you can’t then tuck the back end of the car into the space. But if you can easily drive head-first into the space, and the problem is that you can’t then open the door far enough - then I agree backing into the space won’t help. Though I suppose you could back into the space next to a car that is parked head-first. So each car would be on the right side of the other, which means you don’t have to leave any space on your right to open a door. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/72 "2010-04-20T07:46:38Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Manager: “Good man! Whew, all this managing stuff makes me stressed and horny. I’d better pick up a teenaged hooker and hit the links! Mix me a drink while I make a few calls. G&T, easy on the ice.” And if he can’t find a teenaged hooker, how 'bout a teenaged slicer? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ColdPhoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@ColdPhoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdPhoenix)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/73 "2010-04-20T11:03:52Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > And to top the whole thing off, there are those jagoffs who reverse into the spot, which means the logic of parking as far to the right (so to allow drivers to get in easily, or even back out and let passengers in) is totally hosed. Not much to add other than, it’s safer and easier to reverse into the spot. You have more control on the angle when reversing and can see approaching cars more easily on leaving the space. I think people who drive forward into the space are jagoffs!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![halfliquid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@halfliquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halfliquid)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/74 "2010-04-20T11:13:32Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I missed that - yeah, everyone is supposed to park in the middle of the space, not on the right side of it. That’s just weird. That’s Austin! ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/75 "2010-04-20T13:11:02Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > I like the term land yacht. Thanks, guys, for introducing me to it. It is a lot nicer than Boil Tanker… ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/76 "2010-04-20T14:39:48Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > I don’t doubt for a second that there are some people compensating for er, other inadequacies in their vehicles. But what about parents with 2+ kids? People who live on ranches/farms? Contractors that work out of trucks? That’s not everybody, but Central Texas is not an East Coast city. We have shitty public transportation so everybody drives. I don’t live in an east coast city, and I never have. I completely understand the need for owning a vehicle in a state like Texas; I’m just questioning the necessity of so many of them being huge. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of that is kind of a snowball effect–part of the reason SUVs are so bad is that they’re a danger _to other vehicles_, so I’m sure a lot of people who don’t need the size drive them anyway, simply to feel like they’re on more equal footing. And then we won’t even get into the “SUVs” that you wouldn’t dare do anything remotely sporty or utilitish in. > [@](#): > > Never said it did. A poster commented about American yacht-sized cars, and I was informing him/her that the car was not in fact made in these United States. And I was informing \*you \*that it doesn’t matter where its _made_, 'cause the models destined to be sold in the U.S. are bigger, anyway. 😃 It can be an “American yacht-sized car” while having been manufactured overseas. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/77 "2010-04-20T14:50:59Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I don’t live in an east coast city, and I never have. I completely understand the need for owning a vehicle in a state like Texas; I’m just questioning the necessity of so many of them being huge. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of that is kind of a snowball effect–part of the reason SUVs are so bad is that they’re a danger _to other vehicles_, so I’m sure a lot of people who don’t need the size drive them anyway, simply to feel like they’re on more equal footing. And then we won’t even get into the “SUVs” that you wouldn’t dare do anything remotely sporty or utilitish in. Oh, I totally agree. “I need a SUV so I can see above the other cars on the road!” I definitely see this logic employed all the time. But as urban as we are in Central Texas, lots of people commute from rural areas where big vehicles are needed. So it’s a different scenario than New York or DC, where there’s urbanity and suburbia for miles. > [@](#): > > And I was informing \*you \*that it doesn’t matter where its _made_, 'cause the models destined to be sold in the U.S. are bigger, anyway. 😃 It can be an “American yacht-sized car” while having been manufactured overseas. Only then, it would be a “Japanese yacht-sized car.” My car in particular was sold in Japan and Europe initially, then came to America a year later. So I doubt it was solely aimed at the US market. It’s sold in different (and arguably better) configurations in Japan, Europe, and Australia. So I don’t think it was designed with America solely in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/78 "2010-04-20T15:33:19Z")
> [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > But as urban as we are in Central Texas, lots of people commute from rural areas where big vehicles are needed. So it’s a different scenario than New York or DC, where there’s urbanity and suburbia for miles. I point out again that I do not nor have I ever lived in an east coast city. I’m from Milwaukee, and I still live here. You know, in Wisconsin? Believe me, I know all about living in an urban area that’s surrounded by a bunch of rural. And I gua-ran-fuckin’-tee you that you’ve got a bunch of people in large vehicles who have absolutely no practical use for them, or who could get just as much utility out of a smaller vehicle. Because it’s the same thing here. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/79 "2010-04-20T15:46:23Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I point out again that I do not nor have I ever lived in an east coast city. I’m from Milwaukee, and I still live here. You know, in Wisconsin? Believe me, I know all about living in an urban area that’s surrounded by a bunch of rural. And I gua-ran-fuckin’-tee you that you’ve got a bunch of people in large vehicles who have absolutely no practical use for them, or who could get just as much utility out of a smaller vehicle. Because it’s the same thing here. I think we agree. My point is, to design a parking lot that punishes big ass vehicle drivers might make sense in a locale where having a big ass vehicle is a stupid idea. I have no problem with lots with clearances too low for a Hummer, for instance, because there is no fucking reason outside of being in a desert/combat zone that anyone needs one of those pieces of shit. But if you don’t account for pickups in Milwaukee or in Austin, you’re doing a piss poor job. Speaking of Hummers, I’d like to pit Arnold Schwarzenegger for making those things popular. Has anyone ever justified owning one (aside from “hey, this is America, it’s a free country”)? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530/80 "2010-04-20T15:52:57Z")
I never disagreed–my point was simply that the proportion of people who actually require such vehicles is pretty low. 😃 And personally, I love Hummers–it’s nature’s way of letting us know who’s hiding a lap-pinkie inside his chinos. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-fuck-is-responsible-for-these-dinky-assed-parking-spaces-in-every-fucking-parking-lot/536530.md?page=5)