(a) Definitions.
(1) “Driveway” means an improved area used as a means of ingress and egress, not exceeding twenty-four (24) 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, provided that such driveway shall not occupy over forty percent (40%) of the total required front yard on the lot.
(2) “Front yard” means the area between any portion of a residential structure, extending across the full distance of the lot or lots and 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) “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.
(4) “Parking area” means any improved area not meeting the definition of a driveway and being used to park or store automobiles, motorcycle, boats, recreational vehicles or similar devices.
(b) Driveway and Parking Area Construction/Usage. Any new driveway or parking area shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with these regulations and all other applicable regulations including those stipulated in the City’s Zoning Code. Existing driveways and parking areas shall be maintained as they are and may not be expanded unless in accordance with these and other City Code requirements. No such driveway or parking area shall be utilized unless constructed in accordance with all City Code requirements.
(c) Front Yard Parking Prohibited. No person shall park or leave unattended, or cause to leave parked or unattended, a vehicle, motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle, or similar device wholly or partially within a front yard of any residential property, regardless of type, unless such vehicle, motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle or similar device is wholly within a driveway or parking area.
(d) Registered Owner Responsible. The registered owner of a vehicle found in violation of this section shall be held prima-facie responsible for such violation.
(e) Exemptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to authorized public safety or emergency vehicles while in use for emergency purposes, a vehicle displaying a valid handicapped card, and short term parking on the grass area of a front yard shall be permitted for washing and cleaning of vehicles, parties, reunions, and special events.
(f) Corner Lots. Corner lots with side driveways shall be governed by the same regulations that pertain to those lots that have front driveways. 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.
(g) 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 or egress from any abutting property is prohibited.
(h) Penalty. Whoever violates any provision of this section within two (2) business days of the time when the notice was issued to such vehicle shall pay to the Police Department five dollars ($5.00); upon the expiration of two (2) business days and within seven (7) business days of the time notice was issued to such vehicle, the fine shall increase to ten dollars ($10.00).
(Ord. 69-2007. Passed 9-4-07.)