If you've noticed the perennially tough parking situation in Hayes Valley getting even worse, you're not alone. As the Chronicle reports, the neighborhood's building boom has seen swaths of valuable curbside parking blocked off or turned into tow-away zones as temporary construction parking permits pile on. 

Such permits are legal, costing contractors $125 a month for each spot taken up by equipment, construction vehicles or temporary pedestrian walkways. But the Department of Public works does not take into account how many construction parking permits have already been issued in a particular area when granting permits, which can last for many months. 

We took a stroll around the neighborhood yesterday to check out just how bad the situation might be. 

On Haight between Buchanan and Laguna, a temporary walkway has taken up all parking options on the south side of the street. The same is true for the Buchanan side of the massive 55 Laguna construction project.

Don't even think about parking on the Oak or Laguna sides of the Avalon Bay project, which is rising on the former Hayes Valley Farm plot. Temporary pedestrian walkways have erased parking spots on this busy corner:

While large developments may take up the most spots, a small project, like the earthquake retrofit going on at the former In Bed (and sexiest vacant storefront competitor), eats up a few spots during business hours. 

You won't able to park in front of the 450 Hayes project, at least not during work hours, when a half dozen spots in the heart of the bustling corridor are taken up by construction vehicles:

Up on Gough and Grove, work on the 400 Grove development continues, with a wraparound barrier that keeps would-be parkers out:

The construction permits on this particular development cover December 2013 to December 2014, and are in effect 24/7.

If you've been suffering from parking madness, know that according to the Chronicle, Supervisor Malia Cohen is working with the city attorney’s office to draft legislation that would improve the construction parking permit system. Specifically, she hopes to alleviate the problem by regulating how many active permits are allowed in one particular area of the city, and she's aiming to have legislation prepared by the end of November.

In the meantime, how has your parking experience been in the neighborhood lately? Do you have any specific strategies or secrets for snagging a spot?