Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. *Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.
Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
No Parking Signs Explained
Parking signs tell you where you can park, for how long, and where you cannot park, stand or stop at all. Here is what the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) says about how these signs look, what their words and arrows mean, and how they are placed.
Red on whiteprohibitive parking signs (no parking, standing or stopping)
Green on whitepermissive signs: time-limited parking or parking in a particular manner
12 x 18 inlisted size for the common parking restriction signs
30 to 45 degreesangle to traffic for signs with arrows, so approaching drivers can see them
The short answer
A NO PARKING sign marks a place where parking is prohibited, either at all times or at the times and days shown on the sign. Red-on-white signs prohibit parking, standing or stopping; green-on-white signs allow limited parking. Arrows show which way the rule runs from the sign, and a TOW-AWAY ZONE plaque may be added below any parking prohibition sign. Which messages a sign may carry is set by state law, local ordinance or regulation.
Parking sign basics
Shape: parking, standing and stopping signs shall be rectangular or square.
Prohibitive signs: shall be used where parking is prohibited at all times or at specific times. Except as the MUTCD provides otherwise, they have a red legend and border on a white background, and the P in the parking prohibition symbol is black. The words NO PARKING may be used instead of the symbol.
Permissive signs: shall be used where only time-limited parking or parking in a particular manner is allowed. They have a green legend and border on a white background.
The rules come from local law: the MUTCD says public agencies follow established law (state law, local ordinance or regulation) on what messages parking signs may carry, and the legend on a parking sign shall state the applicable regulation.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.53 and Table 2B-1, read November 4, 2026. The MUTCD lists the common parking restriction signs at 12 x 18 inches.
Parking, standing and stopping
The MUTCD explains the words used on parking signs (R7 and R8 series) this way:
| Word on the sign | What it refers to |
|---|---|
| Parking | Parking signs cover the parking, standing and stopping of vehicles along the roadway and in designated parking areas. |
| Standing | A driver keeping the vehicle in a stationary position while continuing to occupy the vehicle. |
| Stopping | Any vehicle, occupied by a driver or not, that stops other than to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with official direction. |
| Other activities | Activities such as active loading, active passenger loading and waiting might be set out in state or local codes for use on these signs. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.52, read November 4, 2026. The MUTCD says it can give only general guidance because parking signs cover a wide variety of regulations.
Common parking signs
Some of the parking signs and plaques the MUTCD describes:
| Sign | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Parking Prohibition (R7-1) with Permissive Parking (R7-108) | Where parking is prohibited during certain hours and allowed in a limited way at other times, the red prohibition sign may be mounted above or to the left of the green permissive sign. A single combined sign (R7-200 or R7-200a) may be used instead. |
| Tow-Away Zone plaque (R7-201P or R7-201aP) | May be mounted below any parking prohibition sign. The words TOW-AWAY ZONE may be built into the sign instead. |
| THIS SIDE OF SIGN plaque (R7-202P) | Where signs are mounted at 90 degrees to the curb, two signs should be mounted back to back where two parking zones meet, each with this plaque. |
| No Parking Bus Stop signs (R7-107 series) | Mark a bus stop where parking is prohibited. Alternate designs may show a transit logo or bus symbol, a parking prohibition, the words BUS STOP and an arrow. |
| Snow Emergency Route (R7-203) | Should be installed where special parking restrictions apply during heavy snowfall or a declared snow emergency. |
| Accessible Parking (R7-8) | Shall be used to designate spaces reserved for persons with disabilities and shall show the International Symbol of Accessibility. A VAN ACCESSIBLE (R7-8aP) plaque shall be mounted below it where the space is designed for wheelchair vans. |
| Electric vehicle signs (R7-111 to R7-114 series) | Mark spaces for parking or for charging electric vehicles. Plaques below the sign can add restrictions while a vehicle occupies the space. |
| Metered parking (R7-20, R7-21, R7-22) | Mark areas served by a multi-space parking meter and the meter itself. A Mobile Parking Payment (R7-21aP) plaque may show that you can pay by phone or app. If there is a maximum time limit, it shall be shown on the Metered Parking signs. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2B.53 and 2B.54, read November 4, 2026.
How to read a parking sign
Top to bottom: the MUTCD says parking information should be shown in this order: the restriction or prohibition; the times of day it applies, if not all hours; the days of the week, if not every day; qualifying or supplementary information; exemptions; and any tow-away message or symbol.
Times and days: they shall be posted if the rule is not in effect at all times of day or all days of the week.
Arrows: at the end of a parking zone there should be a single-headed arrow pointing the way the rule is in effect. At a point in the middle of a zone there should be a double-headed arrow. A single sign where two zones meet should show a right arrow and a left arrow pointing to where each rule applies.
Words instead of arrows: BEGIN, END, HERE TO CORNER, HERE TO ALLEY and THIS SIDE OF SIGN may be used instead of arrows.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.53, read November 4, 2026.
No parking on rural roads and shoulders
The R8 series signs may be used where a single sign gives enough notice, without marking the start and end of a zone:
| Sign | Where it fits |
|---|---|
| NO PARKING ON PAVEMENT (R8-1) or NO STOPPING ON PAVEMENT (R8-5) | Generally suitable in rural and certain other areas where parking or stopping is allowed on an unpaved shoulder or border next to the paved road. |
| NO PARKING EXCEPT ON SHOULDER (R8-2) or NO STOPPING EXCEPT ON SHOULDER (R8-6) | May be used where the road has a paved shoulder on which parking or stopping is allowed. |
| No Parking symbol (R8-3) or the words NO PARKING | May be used to prohibit any parking along a roadway. Versions may add ON PAVEMENT (R8-3c), ON BRIDGE (R8-3d), ON TRACKS (R8-3e) or EXCEPT ON SHOULDERS (R8-3f). |
| EMERGENCY PARKING ONLY (R8-4) or EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY (R8-7) | Black on white. May be used to discourage or prohibit shoulder parking, particularly where scenic or other attractions tempt drivers to stop. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2B.53 and 2B.55, read November 4, 2026. The DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS (R8-8) sign is covered with railroad crossings in Section 8B.07.
Where the signs go
Angled to traffic: when signs with arrows show the limits of a zone, they should be set at an angle of not less than 30 degrees or more than 45 degrees to the line of traffic so approaching drivers can see them.
Long zones: if the zone is long, signs should also be used at points within it.
At parking stalls: signs at the head of perpendicular parking stalls should be parallel to the roadway, facing the stall.
Whole areas: blanket parking rules that apply to an entire jurisdiction may, if legal, be posted near its boundary lines, and rules for a posted zone or district may, if legal, be posted at its entry points.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.54, read November 4, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 4, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
No parking signs FAQ
What does a NO PARKING sign mean?
A NO PARKING sign is a prohibitive parking sign. The MUTCD says prohibitive parking signs are used where parking is prohibited at all times or at specific times. The exact rule is the one written on the sign and set by state or local law.
What is the difference between no parking, no standing and no stopping?
On MUTCD parking signs, standing means a driver keeps the vehicle stationary while staying in it. Stopping means any vehicle, occupied by a driver or not, that stops other than to avoid conflict with other traffic or to follow official direction. State or local codes can define other activities, such as active loading, for these signs.
What color are no parking signs?
Except as the MUTCD provides otherwise, parking signs that prohibit parking have a red legend and border on a white background, and the P in the parking prohibition symbol is black. Signs that allow limited parking have a green legend and border on a white background.
What do the arrows on a no parking sign mean?
Arrows show where the rule applies. At the end of a parking zone, the MUTCD says there should be a single-headed arrow pointing in the direction the rule is in effect. In the middle of a zone, there should be a double-headed arrow. Where one sign marks the change between two zones, it should show a right arrow and a left arrow pointing to where each rule applies.
Do no parking rules apply all the time?
Only if the sign says so. The MUTCD says the times and days a parking rule is in effect shall be posted if it is not in effect at all times of day or all days of the week.
What does a TOW-AWAY ZONE plaque mean?
A Tow-Away Zone (R7-201P or R7-201aP) plaque may be mounted below any parking prohibition sign, or the words TOW-AWAY ZONE may be built into the sign itself.
What is a Snow Emergency Route sign?
Where special parking restrictions apply during heavy snowfall or a declared snow emergency, the MUTCD says a Snow Emergency Route (R7-203) sign should be installed, with its top section showing the snow emergency route designation in white on red.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Sign descriptions are from the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Revision 1 dated December 2025), read November 4, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary of national standards, not legal advice; state law sets the rules of the road where you drive. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Sections 2B.52 to 2B.55; Table 2B-1), Federal Highway Administration, Revision 1 dated December 2025 (PDF updated February 12, 2026), read November 4, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026