Question
Is it permissible to park by a meter with out paying if you know that 100% a meter maid will not be checking?
If you stay in a Parking spot beyond the amount of money that you have deposited, do you have to insert additional money if you are ready to leave now?
Are you in essence renting a parking spot each time you enter into it, regardless if someone will check or not?
I felt this question was very applicable due to the strike where parking tickets will not be given.
Answer
The municipality rents the parking space. When you park there you are obliged to pay, and if you do not pay you are stealing from the municipality. Therefore, regardless of whether you will be fined or not if you do not pay - you have to pay. If this is private parking lot, that has a guard at the entrance and there is no guard there now (for instance at night) you might not have to pay.
Rabbi Yitzchak Grinblat
