(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) “Driveway” means an improved area used as a means of ingress and egress, not exceeding twenty-four feet in width and being of equal width from the traveled portion of the public or private road right of way to the terminus of the improved area.
(2) “Front yard” means the area between any portion of a residential structure facing a street and the street right-of-way line. In the case of any parcel of land which borders on more than one street, “front yard” means those yards which extend across the full distance of the lot along all streets which border such parcel and being the perpendicular distances between the street right-of-way lines and the nearest portion of any building or structure, excluding fences, existing on such lot.
(3) “Side yard” means the yard area from the rear setback of the residential structure extending to the side property line and forward to the front property lines and not occupied by a structure or driveway.
(4) “Improved area” means a driveway and/or parking area constructed of asphalt, concrete, gravel, brick or similar materials for the purpose of accommodating vehicular parking, flow or access to the property.
(5) “Parking area” means any improved area not meeting the definition of a driveway and being used to park or store automobiles, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles or similar devices.
(6) “Vehicle” shall include any automobile, motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle, or similar device.
(b) Driveway and Parking Area Construction/Usage. No portion of a front yard may be paved or improved or used for parking except as described in Section 1131.03
of the Codified Ordinances. Any new driveway or parking area shall be constructed and existing driveways must be maintained in accordance with this regulation and all other applicable regulations including those stipulated in Chapter 1161 of the Codified Ordinances.
(c) Front Yard and Side Yard Parking Prohibited. No person shall park or leave unattended, or cause to leave parked or unattended, a vehicle wholly or partially within a front yard or side yard of any residential property, regardless of type, unless such vehicle is wholly within a driveway or parking area.
(d) Corner Lots. Corner lots with side driveways shall be governed by the same regulations that pertain to those lots that have front driveways.
(e) Registered Owner Responsibility. The registered owner of a vehicle found in violation of this section shall be held prima-facie responsible for any such violation.
(f) Record Owner of Real Property Responsibility. The record owner of any real property on which vehicle is found in violation of section (c) hereof, shall be liable for violation of this section.
(g) Exemption of Emergency Vehicles. The provisions of this section shall not apply to authorized public safety or emergency vehicles while in use for emergency purposes.
(h) Obstructing View. Parking of any vehicle or object in the front or side designated parking area of a dwelling or place of business that creates a hazard to others by obstructing the view of ingress and egress from any abutting property is prohibited.
(Ord. 00-18. Passed 7-10-00.)
(i) Penalty. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.