Nope. Once you're no longer a patron of Denny's they can tow/ticket you. That area is a high traffic area and Denny's pays premium for that property for their CUSTOMERS to park there. Imagine if they were busy and had ONE spot left and you decided to park there for 15 mins. Then the rest of their customers either pay parking or just go elsewhere to eat. Why should a non patron benefit? Imagine if someone in your area has a house party and theres no more parking left and decided to park in your driveway for awhile. Although I totally understand how hard it is to find parking sometimes (I try and avoid places that are troublesome to find parking), but also understand how it feels to have people take up my parking.

We have a small parking lot (4 designated) at our shop and people ALWAYS park there for their court cases. They have no regard for our limited parking. Then our customers either park illegally or pay parking. When we have no spots left, we just box them in. Then when they try to leave they can't for awhile because we'll BS and say the guy walked off to grab coffee. One guy got smart and hopped the curb. There will be ones that come in and offer to pay, or at least ask. If we actually have parking available we usually just let them park for free. I just hate the sneaky assholes that look around after they park, they knowwwww they're doing something wrong and they continue to do it. Fuckers.

"Apparently" you can ignore DPS tickets because they can't mess with your credit if you don't pay. But if you don't pay it and keep the same plate, they'll tow your car. I don't know if it's changed.

I agree that the parking guy was an idiot, but stupid laws cause situations like this. I hate the new cell phone law! People try and do the right thing by pulling over to answer a cell phone, but a cell phone call doesn't warrant pulling over to the side of the street and not paying for parking. I agree that the parking attendant should not of given you a ticket, but he was following the law. That's what happens when the government implements stupid new laws like the cell phone ban it generates more stupidity!!!!
But yeah you should of just told the parking guy you are getting some change for the meter then drive away and laugh at him;)