Raleigh Leaders Look at Regulations for Valet Parking

With new restaurants and new construction bringing more people to downtown Raleigh, parking has become a bigger issue.

“If we could get our customers parked easier, I think it would help our business out a lot,” restaurant co-owner Steve Hunt said.

One solution to the parking problem is more valet parking. Businesses have caught on and are using it as an option. Because of that, City Manager Russell Allen said Raleigh should begin regulating the practice.

“We knew as downtown (businesses became more) successful that there would be businesses -- whether restaurants or others -- that should need valet service, and most large cities have valet ordinances,” Allen said.

On Tuesday, Allen plans to present a proposed ordinance to the City Council. The ordinance would crack down on when and where valet parking can be used. It would apply to any business using valet parking on a public street.

“We want to make sure these are companies that are reputable, that they have some experience, that we check the locations, that there are, in fact, valet zones,” Allen said.

Many of the businesses on Fayetteville Street don't have valet parking yet, but Hunt said the new regulations won’t stop him from seriously considering it.

“I think that's fair,” Hunt said. “Safety is obviously the most important thing. Having the city regulate it is probably a good idea.”

Council members could adopt the proposed ordinance outright on Tuesday, or they could table the plan for further discussion.