We’ll start by answering the first question that we had: No, non-locals still can’t park at West Hollywood’s many “permit only” spots on side streets. But the city is offering a bit of temporary financial relief for folks parking in just about every other public place in WeHo. Every Wed nesday evening this April, from 4pm to midnight, all of West Hollywood’s parking meters, city-owned surface lots and city-owned parking structures will offer free parking. The initiative, dubbed WeHappy Wednesdays, comes via the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s consumer-forward, business-supporting WeHo Gives Back program. And in addition to the free parking, you’ll find drink deals at a handful of bars and restaurants throughout April. Normally, the nightlife-friendly city enforces its parking meters (which cost $2 per hour) until as late as 2am along Sunset Boulevard and until midnight on large stretches of Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. You’ll find similar rates and enforcement times at the city’s garages, as well. (If you know your curb colors, you also know that you can always park for free at some yellow curbs in WeHo after 6pm.) Of course, this won’t apply to private lots or valet services. But WeHo operates hundreds of spots within its city borders, which you can find here. “WeHappy Wednesdays isn’t just about free parking, it’s about making sure our local businesses continue to thrive by giving people an extra incentive to go out and experience our vibrant city,” said WHCC president and CEO Genevieve Morrill in a statement. “Whether it’s a dinner with friends, shopping at a local boutique or catching a show, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to support the businesses that shape West Hollywood.” A press release for the initiative notes that many WeHo businesses are still dealing with the financial impacts of the pandemic as well as this January’s wildfires; eliminating parking fees for one night each week in April will theoretically give drivers an extra nudge to consider spending money in the area. (Of course, if you subscribe to the research of late UCLA professor Donald Shoup, then free parking is actually worse for congestion and the climate, but surely even Shoupistas can give this temporary parking reprieve a pass.) ...read more read less