The Dunedin City Council has outlawed parking on grass verges, but at the moment has no power to hand out tickets.
The unusual situation has come about because of a Government rule that forces local authorities to signpost any area where parking is illegal.
Councils are trying to get that law relaxed.
The council yesterday adopted its traffic and parking bylaw, which included the grass verge rule.
Council parking services team leader Daphne Griffen said parked cars had recently damaged grass and trees, costing the city money.
Deputy Mayor Syd Brown yesterday said signposting every verge in the city would be too expensive.
The rule was included in the bylaw, and it was hoped it could be enforced if and when the Government changed its rules.
