As used in this title, the following definitions shall apply:
ABANDONED BICYCLE: A bicycle is abandoned if it is left unattended at the same location on public property or attached to public property for more than seven (7) consecutive days, whether parked legally or illegally.
ABANDONED VEHICLE: Any of the following:
(1) A vehicle that has been left unattended on public property for more than twenty-four hours and lacks current registration plates or two or more wheels or other parts which renders the vehicle totally inoperable.
(2) A vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for more than twenty-four hours.
(3) A vehicle that has been unlawfully parked on private property or has been placed on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than twenty-four hours.
(4) A vehicle that has been legally impounded and has not been reclaimed for a period of ten days. However, the vehicle may be declared abandoned within the ten-day period by commencing the notification process as provided int this title.
(5) Any vehicle parked on the highway or street determined by the police department to create a hazard to other vehicle traffic.
(6) A vehicle that has been impounded pursuant to section 321J.4B of the Iowa Code by order of the court and whose owner has not paid the impoundment fees after notification by the person or agency responsible for carrying out the impoundment order.
ALLEY: A public way intended to provide secondary access to abutting properties.
ARTERIAL STREET: A street designed to carry a large volume of traffic and whose principal function is to provide through traffic.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE: Vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles, ambulances and emergency vehicles owned by the United States, the state or any subdivision of the state or any municipality of this state and privately owned ambulances and fire rescue or disaster vehicles as are designated or authorized by the director of transportation under authority of the code of Iowa, as amended.
AUTOMOBILE OR CAR: A motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying nine (9) passengers or less, excluding motorcycles and motorized bicycles.
BICYCLE: Every device propelled solely by hand or foot pedals, having at least one saddle or seat for use of a rider, and having two (2) or three (3) wheels.
CAR: See definition of Automobile Or Car.
CITY CLERK: The city clerk of the city.
CITY COUNCIL: The city council of the city of Iowa City.
CITY MANAGER: The city manager of the city or designee.
COMBINATION OF VEHICLES: A group consisting of two (2) or more motor vehicles or a group consisting of a motor vehicle and one or more trailers, semitrailers or vehicles which are coupled or fastened together for the purpose of being moved on the highways as a unit.
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT(S) OR BUSINESS DISTRICT(S): The mixed use zone (MU), the commercial office zone (CO-1), the neighborhood commercial zone (CN-1), the highway commercial zone (CH-1), the intensive commercial zone (CI-1), the community commercial zone (CC-2), the central business service zone (CB-2), the central business support zone (CB-5), and the central business zone (CB-10), as defined in title 14 of this Code and as shown on the City's zoning map.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE: A vehicle designated, maintained or used primarily for the commercial transportation of property. The vehicle shall display signs of at least seventy two (72) square inches on both the left and right sides of the vehicle. The signs shall identify the name of the commercial entity in letters at least two inches (2") in height and clearly legible from a distance of ten feet (10'). Vehicles so marked may park in zones identified for commercial loading and unloading for the purpose of loading or unloading commercial goods and property or for the purpose of providing required services to commercial enterprises.
CROSSWALK: That portion of a street or highway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections or any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
CURB EXTENSION: Sidewalk segments that extend into the roadway at an intersection or mid block crossing. A traffic calming measure also known as bump outs, bulb outs or neckdowns.
DENVER BOOT: A mechanical device consisting of metal clamps or jaws and screws and a padlocking device which, when attached to the wheel of a motor vehicle, prevents the vehicle from being driven. This includes devices other than the patented "denver boot" which can be used by attachment to the wheel of a motor vehicle to prevent the vehicle from being moved.
DEPARTMENT: The Police Department, Public Works Department, Transportation Services Department or Finance Department of the City of Iowa City.
DRIVER: Every person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a street or highway.
ELECTRIC ASSIST BICYCLE: A bicycle equipped with a motor that: a) provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty eight (28) miles per hour; or b) that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour. An electric assist bicycle is not a bicycle, motorized bicycle or motor bicycle as defined herein.
ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE: A self-balancing, nontandem two (2) wheeled device powered by an electric propulsion system that averages seven hundred fifty watts (750 W) and is designed to transport one person, with a maximum speed on a paved level surface of less than twenty (20) miles per hour. The maximum speed shall be calculated based on operation of the device by a person who weighs one hundred seventy (170) pounds when the device is powered solely by the electric propulsion system. For purposes of this chapter, "electric personal assistive mobility device" does not include an "assistive device" as defined in section 216E.1 of the Iowa Code.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER: A wheeled device with handlebars that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon by one person while riding that is not longer than five feet (5') and no wider than eighteen inches (18") with an electric propulsion system and a maximum speed of twenty five (25) miles per hour on a flat, paved surface. It may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion.
ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD: A wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon by one person while riding that is not longer than five feet (5') and no wider than eighteen inches (18") with an electric propulsion system and a maximum speed of twenty five (25) miles per hour on a flat, paved surface. It may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion.
FARM TRACTORS: Every motor vehicle designated and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, moving machines and other implements of husbandry.
FIRE LANES: Any public or private street, alley, driveway, roadway, or easement of access that is to be maintained free from obstruction so as to provide ready access for City firefighting vehicles, personnel, and/or equipment.
FRONTAGE: The frontage upon which a building is located abutting a street or highway shall be deemed "frontage occupied by the building", and use of the phrase "frontage on such highway for a distance of three hundred feet (300') or more" shall mean the total frontage on both sides of the highway for such distance.
IMPOUND OR IMPOUNDMENT: The act of taking physical and/or legal custody of a vehicle by authorizing the vehicle to be held at a storage lot designated by the City until the City authorizes release of the vehicle or by authorizing that the vehicle be immobilized by attachment of a "denver boot".
INOPERABLE BICYCLE: A bicycle is inoperable if it is left on public property and has a missing, broken, or disassembled component necessary for operation, whether parked legally or illegally. A bicycle that is missing only a seat is not inoperable.
INTERSECTION: The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
LOADING ZONE: A space reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials and designated as such by an official traffic sign.
MEDIAN OR MEDIAN STRIP: That portion of the street right of way between traffic lanes and not part of the improved roadway or set aside for vehicular traffic.
MOTOR VEHICLE: Every vehicle mechanically self-propelled excluding electric personal assistive mobility devices.
MOTORCYCLE: Every motor vehicle having a saddle or seat for the use of a rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, including a motor scooter but excluding a tractor and a motorized bicycle.
MOTORIZED BICYCLE OR MOTOR BICYCLE OR MOPED: A two (2) wheeled vehicle having a saddle or seat for use of a rider, with an engine having a displacement no greater than fifty (50) cubic centimeters and not capable of operating at a speed in excess of twenty five (25) miles per hour on level ground unassisted by human power.
NONMOTORIZED VEHICLES: Roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards, coasters, and other such similar wheeled or coasting devices, including unicycles, but excluding bicycles, wheelchairs, baby strollers, baby carriages, and small wagons.
OWNER: A person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or if a vehicle is the subject of a security agreement or lease with an immediate right of possession vested in the debtor or lessee, then the debtor or lessee shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this title.
PARK: To stop a vehicle or bicycle and leave it standing for a time, whether occupied or not.
PARKING: That portion of a right of way between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent sidewalk or, if there is no sidewalk, the area within six feet (6') of the lateral line of the roadway.
PARKING LOT: A facility owned or leased by the city and open to the general public for off street parking of motor vehicles.
PARKING TICKET: A notice of fine for a parking violation as authorized by the code of Iowa, as amended.
PARKING ZONE: That portion of the street between the curb lines or lateral lines of a roadway ordinarily used for vehicular traffic and the adjacent property lines, which portion is designated for parking; also including areas in which parking is not otherwise prohibited in this title.
PASSENGER LOADING ZONE: Either of the following: a) a space reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading and unloading of passengers and designated as such by an official traffic sign, or b) a section of a traveled lane of a roadway immediately adjacent to an official traffic sign designating it as such. Valet parking zones shall be treated as passenger loading zones.
PEACE OFFICER: Every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations, including those designated as peace officers in the code of Iowa, as amended.
PEDESTRIAN: Any person traveling on public property on foot or a person using a pedestrian conveyance.
PEDESTRIAN CONVEYANCE: Any human-powered device by which a pedestrian may move other than by walking or by which a pedestrian may move another person, including but not limited to a wheelchair, stroller, skateboard, scooter, or other similar device. "Pedestrian conveyance" also includes an electric personal assistive mobility device and any other device used to move a person sitting or standing on the device regardless of whether the device is powered by an electric motor, so long as the electric motor produces less than seven hundred fifty (750) watts. "Pedestrian conveyance" does not include a bicycle.
PERSON: Every natural person, company, firm, partnership, association, entity or corporation. Where the term "person" is used in connection with the registration of a motor vehicle, it shall include any corporation, association, partnership, company, firm, entity or other aggregation of individual persons which owns or controls such motor vehicle as actual owner or for the purpose of sale or lease, as agent, salesperson or otherwise.
PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY: Every way or place in private ownership and available for vehicular travel by the owner and by those having express or implied permission from the owner.
RAILROAD SIGN OR RAILROAD SIGNAL: Any sign, signal or device erected by authority of a public body or public official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approach of a railroad train.
RAMP CHARGES: Unpaid fees charged for parking in a parking lot owned or operated by the city.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT: The territory within a city contiguous to and including a highway, not comprising a commercial, suburban or school district, where forty percent (40%) or more of the frontage of such highway for a distance of three hundred feet (300') or more is occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings not in use for business.
RESIDENTIAL STREET: A street used primarily for access to residences and residential properties.
RIGHT OF WAY: The privilege of the immediate use of the street or highway.
ROADWAY: That portion of a street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
SAFETY ZONE: The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and protected or so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times as set apart as a safety zone.
SCHOOL DISTRICT: The territory contiguous to and including a street or highway for a distance of two hundred feet (200') in either direction from property occupied by a school.
SEMITRAILER: Every vehicle without motorized power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle. A "semitrailer" shall be considered in this title separately from its power unit.
SIDEWALK: That portion of a street between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines and intended for the use of pedestrians.
SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT: Every vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and incidentally operated or moved over the highway, including, but not limited to, road construction or maintenance machinery and ditch digging apparatus. The foregoing enumeration shall be deemed partial and shall not operate to exclude other vehicles which are within the general terms of this definition. However, nothing in this section shall be construed to include portable mills or cornshellers mounted upon a motor vehicle or semitrailer.
STOP, STOPPING OR STANDING: Any complete cessation of movement or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
STREET OR HIGHWAY: The entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic.
SUBURBAN DISTRICT: All parts of the City not included in the Commercial, school or Residential Districts.
TOW: The act of removing a vehicle by means of a wrecker or flatbed truck from the location in which the vehicle is parked.
TOW AWAY ZONE: An area designated by signage within which illegally parked vehicles are subject to tow without further notice.
TRAFFIC: Pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE, TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN, OFFICIAL: All signs or signals, not inconsistent with this section, placed or installed by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of directing, regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL: A traffic control device which may be manually, electrically or mechanically operated and by which traffic is alternately directed to stop, to proceed and to proceed with caution.
TRAILER: Nonmotorized vehicles designed to carry persons or property and designed to be drawn by another vehicle. "Trailer" shall be construed to also include "semitrailer".
VEHICLE: Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway. “Vehicle” does not include: a) devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks; or b) any device moved by human power; and c) a pedestrian conveyance.
VEHICLE UNLOCK FEE: Fee charged by the City for assistance in unlocking a vehicle. (1994 Code; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997; Ord. 97-3788, 6-3-1997; Ord. 98-3846, 8-25-1998; Ord. 01-3992, 12-11-2001; Ord. 06-4241, 11-14-2006; Ord. 08-4317, 9-23-2008; Ord. 09-4344, 6-16-2009; Ord. 11-4459, 11-22-2011; Ord. 12-4464, 2-21-2012; Ord. 12-4466, 2-21-2012; Ord. 13-4539, 6-18-2013; Ord. 15-4635, 8-18-2015; Ord. 19-4786, 4-2-2019; Ord. 19-4802, 8-20-2019; Ord. 21-4850, 3-2-2021; Ord. 24-4926, 6-4-2024)