351.15 PARKING IN DOWNTOWN AREA.
   (a)   The Main Streets of New London, Ohio from S. Railroad St. to Prospect Street, and from Eneray Street to Park Ave., shall be designated as Downtown Parking Area.
   (b)   Except for individuals with a valid Residential Parking Permit, parking in any one parking space at any one time in the Downtown Parking Area shall be limited to three hours, unless otherwise posted.
   (c)   Whoever violates subsection (b) or (f) hereof shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor, provided, however, that the fine shall be limited as follows:
      (1)   For a first offense, the fine shall be limited to five dollars ($5.00), if paid to the Village Clerk-Treasurer in the Village office within forty-eight hours; and
      (2)   If the recipient of the citation has received another citation for the same offense within six months, the fine shall be limited to twenty-five dollars ($25.00), if paid to the Village Clerk-Treasurer in the Village office within forty-eight hours.
   (d)   Any person charged with a violation of this section for which a prescribed fine may be made, may pay such sum in the manner prescribed on the issued traffic ticket. Such payment shall be deemed a plea of guilty, waiver of court appearance, and acknowledgment of conviction of the alleged offense and may be accepted in full satisfaction of the prescribed penalty for such alleged violation.
   (e)   In any hearing on a charge of illegally parking a motor vehicle, testimony that a vehicle bearing a certain license plate was found unlawfully parked as prohibited by this Section, and further testimony that the record of the Ohio Registrar of Motor Vehicles shows that the license plate was issued to the defendant, shall be prima-facie evidence that the vehicle which was unlawfully parked was so parked by the defendant. A certified registration copy, showing such fact, from the Registrar shall be proof of such ownership.
   (f)   An individual whose vehicle bears a current “Residential Parking Permit” shall not be limited by the three-hour limitation set forth in subsection (b), above.
      (1)   An individual who currently resides within the Downtown Parking Area and for whom no off-street parking is available may apply to the chief of police for a “Residential Parking Permit.” Such an applicant shall submit proof of current residency and proof of ownership or lawful use of a specific motor vehicle. A permit shall be issued in the name of the applicant and shall authorize extended parking for a single vehicle, identified by model and license number; such permit shall be visibly displayed within the vehicle whenever parked within the Downtown Parking Area. One such parking permit may be issued for one year for each household, without fee.
      (2)   An entity who/which lawfully operates a “Bed and Breakfast Facility,” providing temporary accommodations to transient guests, and for whom no off-street parking is available, may apply to the Chief of Police for up to two “Residential Parking Permits,” to service the facility. Such permit(s) shall be issued for one year, in the name of the applicant, and must be visibly displayed within a vehicle whenever parked within the downtown parking area.
         The fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per year. It is the applicant’s responsibility to maintain the legibility and integrity of a permit, failing which a new fee shall be assessed to issue a replacement.
      (3)   Possession and display of a residential parking permit does not guarantee the holder the availability of parking space within the district and does not grant any license or right to any specific space.
      (4)   Possession and display of a residential parking permit does not exempt the holder from compliance with any other parking restrictions in the New London Codified Ordinances. (Ord. 2021-21. Passed 6-14-21.)