The practice has been outlawed in some places, including the city of Washington, D.C., where enforcement is strict and violators are ticketed[17]. Some places specifically prohibit the practice, with levels of enforcement that vary. Sanctions against violators may include fines and confiscation of the markers. Other places either do not enforce or make legal allowances for this activity.
In Baltimore, after the First and Second blizzards of 2010, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced that the city would not enforce an existing ban on the practice. She said that it could not be stopped, just like "people saying hon" could not be stopped.[18]
Some places, including Pittsburgh, do not place legal sanctions against those engaging in the practice, but make clear that anyone has the right to claim an informal space that was reserved by someone else for their own vehicle, regardless of courtesy. However, it is a general practice around the city to respect the markers of others[19].
In Boston, the law permits residents to reserve spaces for up to 48 hours[20]. In 2007, the city confiscated the markers from 220 spaces where the residents had exceeded this limit[7].
In Aldan, Pennsylvania, the police chief confiscated all markers that were placed following the blizzards of 2010. He stated that he was enforcing a local ordinance in doing so[21].
