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)

9-4-5: TEMPORARY PARKING RESTRICTIONS:

   A.   The department is authorized to post temporary traffic signs prohibiting parking along the route of a parade or other approved special event and along streets or portions thereof which are scheduled for service or repair work, including, but not limited to, resurfacing, maintenance, repair, cleaning, oiling or snow removal.

   B.   It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on the street along such posted route within the area where parking is prohibited by such signs. Vehicles parked in violation of this provision may be towed if the signs posted indicate "Towaway Zone".

   C.   Temporary traffic signs constructed in accordance with standards established by the city manager, or designee, shall be placed within ten feet (10') of the traveled portion of the roadway or curb along that side of the street on which the parking prohibition is to be in effect. The signs may be mounted on temporary supports, on existing street signposts, on parking meters or in accordance with standards established by the city manager, or designee. (1994 Code; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997)

9-4-6: PARKING IN ALLEYS:

   A.   Prohibited: No person shall stop, stand or park any motor vehicle so as to block an alley, whether attended or unattended.

   B.   Alleys In Commercial Districts:

      1.   In commercial districts, the city manager, or designee, is authorized to designate certain alleys as "No Parking Anytime" on one side of the alley and on the other side of the same alley, "Loading Zone". When such signs are in place, it shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in the middle of the alley or on the side of the alley designated "No Parking Anytime", and it shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on the side of the alley designated "Loading Zone" for a period in excess of the time limit stated on the sign. Vehicles found parked in violation of this provision may be towed if the signs posted indicate "Towaway Zone". (1994 Code; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997)

      2.   In alleys in the commercial district which are not so marked, it shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle for a period exceeding ten (10) minutes. (Ord. 09-4345, 6-16-2009)

   C.   Alleys In Noncommercial Districts: It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle upon or in alleys in noncommercial districts.

   D.   Emergency Access To Alleys:

      1.   If access to an alley is required to provide emergency police, fire, medical, utility or other services, the owner or driver of a vehicle parked therein shall immediately move the vehicle from the alley.

      2.   To assure access of emergency vehicles to alleys in the commercial district, the driver of a vehicle standing in an alley to load or unload pursuant to subsection B of this section shall not leave the vehicle unattended for more than ten (10) minutes.

      3.   If a vehicle must be moved to provide emergency access and the owner, driver or other authorized person cannot be located, the department may cause the vehicle to be towed from the alley and impounded as provided in chapter 9 of this title.

      4.   All vehicles which are parked in alleys pursuant to subsections A and B of this section are subject to the provisions of this subsection. (1994 Code; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997)

9-4-7: VEHICLES ON PARKING AREA:

   A.   Generally: The parking of motor vehicles upon parking areas shall not be allowed unless the city manager, or designee, on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, establishes parking on the area in a designated commercial zone by installing and maintaining traffic controls.

   B.   Standards: If the city manager, or designee, establishes parking of motor vehicles upon the parking area within a designated area, parking shall be for the use of the general public. The following standards shall apply:

      1.   The curb adjacent to the roadway shall be cut to provide ingress and egress for the area specified.

      2.   The parking area designated shall be paved with equivalent material used in paving the adjacent roadway, and adequate drainage shall be provided.

      3.   In parking areas, no vehicle shall park:

         a.   Within ten feet (10') of a crosswalk.

         b.   Within five feet (5') of a driveway other than the ingress and egress drive of the designated area.

         c.   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.

      4.   No vehicle shall park in such designated area so as to leave less than five feet (5') of the sidewalk for the use of pedestrians. (1978 Code §23-245; amd. 1994 Code; Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997; Ord. 09-4346, 6-16-2009)

9-4-8: RESERVED PARKING SPACES:

   A.   Reserved Space For Funerals: Where it is necessary to hold a funeral service in a metered zone, the funeral director may be authorized by the city manager, or designee, to post an approved "No Parking" sign. Such signs shall be posted by the funeral director before the service at a time equal to the maximum allowed in the parking zone plus one-half (1/2) hour. All such signs must be removed by the funeral director within one-half (1/2) hour after the close of the funeral. All funeral "No Parking" signs shall be furnished by the funeral directors and be of a design approved by the city manager, or designee. (1978 Code §23-248; amd. Ord. 97-3765, 1-14-1997)

   B.   Reserved Space For Construction:

      1.   Permit Required; Fee:

         a.   Contractors doing construction or excavation in, by or near a metered parking space may reserve one or more such metered spaces upon showing that the reservation of the space is necessary to accomplish the work. The fee for reservation of a metered parking space for each enforcement day or fraction thereof shall be as provided in the schedule of fees, title 3, chapter 4 of this code.

         b.   All payments shall be made in advance of the issuance of such permits. Hoods shall be placed on such reserved meter spaces. Meter hoods shall bear the following message: "No Parking, Reserved Stall, Commercial Vehicles Only. Violators Will Be Towed". When it is necessary to remove meters and posts for construction, the contractor shall place a sign bearing the same message adjacent to each reserved space. The contractor will be charged any costs incurred to remove and replace such meters.

      2.   Contractor's Guarantee: A contractor who desires to reserve a meter space agrees to maintain the meter hoods or required signage and to indemnify and defend the city for any claims, costs or damages which result from the reservation of such space.

      3.   Unauthorized Use Of Reserved Space:

         a.   No person shall park a vehicle in a reserved meter space without authorization of the contractor reserving same.

         b.   Vehicles parked in a reserved space may be towed as provided by chapter 9 of this title. (1978 Code §23-249; amd. 1994 Code)