Yesterday in a parking lot, I witnessed a heated argument. A woman was yelling at a guy that he needed to move his car immediately because he was parked in a purple parking space. The guy said he knew what he was doing and had the right to park there, but the woman kept insisting. I had to leave because I was with my kids, but what was that about? Who are the people who can park in purple parking spaces?

Parking rules are often more complicated than they appear.

A space isn’t always simply “empty” or “occupied.”

It may be reserved.

It may require a permit.

It may be restricted to certain hours.

It may be intended for a particular kind of vehicle.

It may be part of an accessibility program.

It may be subject to private-property rules.

Or it may have a meaning that is specific to that particular location.

The color can provide a clue, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

## So, Who Can Park in a Purple Parking Space?

The most accurate answer is:

**It depends on the location.**

There is no universal rule that says every purple parking space is reserved for one specific category of driver everywhere.

A purple space may be used for a particular permit program, special parking category, organization, or local designation.

In another place, purple may have an entirely different meaning.