HARRISONBURG -- Starting July 1, changes will be made to parking permits in order to address and resolve concerns made by neighbors and also to ease the process of getting a permit.

Instead of expiring on March 31st, like the permits do now, the permits for 2012-2013 will not expire until June 30, 2013.

People who have a month-to-month lease will be able to obtain guest parking passes. Before these changes, a person needed to an annual lease in order to get these guest passes.

Two existing parking zones will have new colors to reflect the specific areas. The area of Greenbriar Drive is now a gold zone and the Weaver Avenue area is now a brown zone. (See the map, above)

Parking permits can be purchased through the Treasurer's Office, which is in the Municipal Building located on 345 S. Main St. Vehicle registration is required to buy a parking permit. People who rent will need to provide a valid rental agreement confirming their address as well. For homeowners, proof of residency can be done in-house by the Treasurer's Office.

A parking permit costs $3 per vehicle and guest passes are free, but limited to two per household.

More information about parking permits is available at www.HarrisonburgVA.gov/parking-permits

To read the entire permit parking ordinance, visit , select www.municode.com Harrisonburg, VA, and read Code Section 13-1-60).