(a) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, certain terms and words are hereby defined:
(1) “Driveway” means the principal means of egress, not exceeding twenty- four (24) feet in width, into a property from the traveled portion of a road right-of-way, upon which grass or other ground cover vegetation is not nurtured, provided however, that such driveway shall not occupy over forty percent (40%) of the total front yard area of the lot.
(2) “Front yard” means the setback area between any portion of a structure, extending to the side lot lines, and the street line.
(3) “Residential district” means any district in the City zoned primarily for residential purposes on the current adopted District Map, and also for the purpose of this section, any parcel used for dwelling purposes, irrespective of its zoning classification.
(4) “Setback” means the minimum horizontal distance by which any building or structure will be separated from a lot line or street line.
(b) Parking Prohibited. No person shall park or leave unattended or suffer to remain parked or left unattended, a vehicle wholly or partly within a front yard or upon a vacant lot in a residential district, unless such vehicle is wholly within a driveway.
(c) Registered Owner Responsibility. If any vehicle is found to be in violation of this section, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held prima-facie responsible for such violation.
(d) Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles while in use for emergency purposes; or to construction equipment when such equipment can effectively operate only from within such front yards; during the time when a snow emergency parking ban is in effect, 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.
(e) 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.)