I mostly agree, however, 4 decades of non-enforcement, then a sudden change to enforcement is just as chaotic and just as prone to selective enforcement and corruption. The house was sold with a parking pad and that pad was in use for 4 decades - this isn't a case of a new-comer trying to subvert the rule of law. And why would the city mention an exception if said exemption is never granted?

This appears to be a poorly worded regulation that needs to be amended to something reasonable.