CHAPTER 4
PARKING REGULATIONS

SECTION:

9-4-1: Parking Prohibited In Specified Places

9-4-2: Method Of Parking

9-4-3: Parking Not To Obstruct Traffic

9-4-4: General Parking Restrictions

9-4-5: Temporary Parking Restrictions

9-4-6: Parking In Alleys

9-4-7: Vehicles On Parking Area

9-4-8: Reserved Parking Spaces

9-4-9: Parking During Snow Emergencies

9-4-10: Parking For Loading And Unloading

9-4-11: Parking For Persons With Physical Disabilities

9-4-12: Removal Of Parking Tags Or Marks Prohibited

9-4-13: Fire Lanes

9-4-14: Enforcement

9-4-15: Library Parking

9-4-16: Food Trucks

9-4-1: PARKING PROHIBITED IN SPECIFIED PLACES:

   A.   No driver of a vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle in any of the following places except to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control sign or signal:

      1.   Within an intersection.

      2.   On a crosswalk.

      3.   Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within ten feet (10') of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone unless otherwise indicated by signs.

      4.   Within fifteen feet (15') from the intersection of curb lines, or if none, then within fifteen feet (15') of the intersection of property lines at the intersection except at alleys.

      5.   Within ten feet (10') upon the approach of any flashing beacon, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic contol signal located at the side of the roadway.

      6.   Adjacent to the five (5) linear feet of curb closest to a fire hydrant. Where the street has no curb, this prohibition applies to the five (5) linear feet of road surface closest to the fire hydrant.

      7.   In front of a public or private driveway.

      8.   On a sidewalk.

      9.   Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction if standing, stopping or parking would obstruct traffic.

      10.   On a bridge, except when authorized.

      11.   No commercial vehicles used for pick up or delivery of merchandise or goods or passengers shall be stopped or parked in a lane of traffic when a parking space, loading zone or any other space is available at the curb or in an alley within one hundred fifty feet (150') of any building where pick up or delivery is to be made.

      12.   Within fifty feet (50') of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

      13.   Within one block of any fire 1.

      14.   Within twenty feet (20') of the driveway entrance to any fire station or along the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy five feet (75') of said entrance when properly signed.

      15.   Upon the median strip within the corporate limits of the city.

      16.   During a snow emergency, upon a street on which parking is prohibited by a snow emergency declaration.

      17.   On the “parking”, as defined in section 9-1-1 of this title.

      18.   In front of a curb cut or ramp located on public or private property in a manner which blocks access to the curb cut or ramp.

      19.   At any place where official signs prohibit stopping or parking.

      20.   In a bike rack, unless specifically authorized by the city manager pursuant to subsection 9-8-4B of this title.

      21.   Adjacent to a curb extension even if it is a commercial vehicle and there is no parking space, loading zone or other space available within one hundred fifty feet (150') of any building where pick up or delivery is to be made.

      22.   On a designated bicycle lane except as allowed in 9-8-4B.

   B.   Vehicles so located are subject to being towed pursuant to chapter 9 of this title.

(1994 Code; Ord. 09-4346, 6-16-2009; Ord. 11-4440, 8-2-2011, eff. 1-1-2012; Ord. 12-4464, 2-21-2012; Ord. 22-4877, 3-22-2022; Ord. 24-4936, 9-3-2024)

9-4-2: METHOD OF PARKING:

   A.   Parallel Parking: No driver of a vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle in a roadway except when parallel with the edge of the roadway, with the right wheels to the curb and with the curbside wheels of the vehicle within eighteen inches (18") of the curb or property line, except as provided in this title when necessary in obedience to traffic regulations. (1978 Code §23-246)

   B.   Angle Parking:

      1.   No angle parking shall be permitted upon any federal aid or state highway within the city unless the Iowa department of transportation or its successor has determined that the roadway is sufficiently wide to permit angle parking without interfering with the free movement of traffic.

      2.   No angle parking shall be permitted in the city at any place where passing traffic would thereby be caused to drive upon the left side of the street. (1994 Code)

      3.   On those streets which have been signed or marked by the city manager, or designee, for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings. (1978 Code §23-265; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997)

      4.   On those streets which have been signed or marked by the city manager, or designee, for angle parking, no vehicle shall be backed into an angle parking stall except as provided by the provisions of this title. (1978 Code §23-264; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997)

9-4-3: PARKING NOT TO OBSTRUCT TRAFFIC:

   A.   All Noncommercial Districts: In any noncommercial district, no vehicle shall stand, stop or park upon any traveled lane of a roadway in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet (10') of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic. (1978 Code §23-236)

   B.   Commercial Districts:

      1.   Noncommercial Vehicles: In commercial districts, standing, stopping or parking in any traveled lane of a roadway by noncommercial vehicles is prohibited, except as allowed under subsection 9-4-10B of this chapter. (Ord. 06-4241, 11-14-2006)

      2.   Commercial Vehicles:

         a.   On two-way streets in commercial districts, commercial vehicles may stop, stand or park in a traveled lane while engaging in the loading or unloading of property, provided ten feet (10') of width of roadway exists to the right of the centerline for the free movement of vehicular traffic.

         b.   On one-way streets in commercial districts, commercial vehicles may stop, stand or park in a traveled lane while engaging in the loading or unloading of property, provided ten feet (10') of width of the roadway is open for the free movement of vehicular traffic.

      3.   Compliance Required; Time Limit: Vehicles stopped, standing or parked in the traveled lane of a roadway shall do so in accordance with the above provisions, but in no event shall any vehicle be parked longer than fifteen (15) minutes. (1978 Code §23-236)

9-4-4: GENERAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS:

   A.   Public Or Private Property: No person shall park a vehicle upon public or private property without the consent of the owner or person in possession of such property or the agents thereof. Any vehicle parked in violation of this subsection may be ticketed and/or towed pursuant to the following procedure: The police department is hereby authorized to act as an agent of any owner or other lawful possessor of real property and to tow or cause to be towed, pursuant to the code of Iowa, as amended, any motor vehicle that has been parked or placed upon real property without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of such property or the agents thereof. However, prior to the towing of any motor vehicle, the owner, lawful possessor or the agents thereof shall, in writing, authorize the police to act as agent therefor and shall further agree to notify the county sheriff as required by the code of Iowa, as amended, and shall also agree to release, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the city, its officers, employees and agents from any damages, claim of damages or liability resulting from such towing. The owner or lawful possessor of such motor vehicle may reclaim such vehicle pursuant to the code of Iowa, as amended.

   B.   One-Way Streets And Roadways:

      1.   No person shall stand or park a vehicle on the left side of a one-way street when such parking is prohibited by official signs.

      2.   If a street or highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon the roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle on the left side of the one-way roadway unless such parking is permitted by official signs. (1994 Code)

   C.   Residential Districts:

      1.   Trailers, semitrailers and other nonmotorized vehicles of any type and size shall not be parked on any street in a residential district, except as herein provided and excepting bicycles. Such vehicles may park for the purpose of loading or unloading or making local deliveries, but in no instance shall such activity exceed a period of forty eight (48) hours. (1978 Code §23-252; amd. 1994 Code)

      2.   Motor vehicles of any type that exceed seven feet (7') in height or eight feet (8') in width or twenty feet (20') in length shall not be parked on any street in a residential district, except as herein provided. Such vehicles may park for the purpose of loading or unloading or making local deliveries, but in no event shall said activity exceed a period of forty eight (48) hours.

      3.   Commercial vehicles which transport detonable materials or flammable solids, liquids and gases shall not be parked on any street in a residential district, except for the purpose of making local deliveries. (1978 Code §23-252)

   D.   Adjacent To Schools: No person shall park a motor vehicle in a place which has been designated and signed by the city manager, or designee, to prohibit parking adjacent to a school.

   E.   Narrow Streets: No person shall park a motor vehicle on any street when the width of the roadway is less than twenty feet (20') and when the city manager, or designee, has posted official signs to prohibit parking on the street. When a street does not exceed thirty feet (30') in width, parking along one side of the street may be prohibited when the city manager, or designee, has posted official signs to prohibit such parking.

   F.   Near Hazardous Or Congested Places: No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in a hazardous or congested place which has been designated and signed by the city manager, or designee, to prohibit stopping, standing or parking. (1994 Code)

   G.   Sale Or Repairs Of Vehicles: No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of:

      1.   Displaying such vehicle for sale.

      2.   Washing, greasing or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency. (1978 Code §23-239)

   H.   In Excess Of Forty Eight Hours: No vehicle shall be parked or remain at the same location upon any street, alley or public ground at any time for a period longer than forty eight (48) hours. Vehicles must be moved at least twenty feet (20') in distance during each forty eight (48) hour time period in order to avoid penalty under this subsection.

   I.   Parking Limited To Intended Use: Except as otherwise provided herein, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle upon any roadway for more than ten (10) minutes for the principal purpose of conducting commercial activity from said vehicle, including, but not limited to, selling merchandise and food.

   J.   No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the roadways, streets, or highways available to moving traffic, unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles on sidewalks, shoulders, or bicycle lanes. No person shall leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles on sidewalks, shoulders or bicycle lanes, for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. (Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997; amd. Ord. 99-3875, 2-23-1999; Ord. 06-4222, 7-18-2006; Ord. 19-4802, 8-20-2019)