(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
IMPLEMENT. Any device, not a trailer, capable of being towed by a vehicle.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled.
OWNER. A person, other than a secured party, having the property in or title to a motor vehicle, including a lessee.
PERSON. A natural person, firm, co-partnership, association, corporation, or governmental organization; and in the case of a co-partnership, to also include any partner.
STATIONARY. For the purposes of this section and any regulations relating to limited parking, a vehicle moved to another location within 100 feet of the first location during the limited parking period is deemed to have remained STATIONARY.
STREET. Any street, avenue, place, drive or any other public way in the city.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(B) Maximum parking period on any public right-of-way. It is unlawful for any person to stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle upon any street for a continuous period in excess of 24 hours.
(C) City Council designation. The Council may designate no parking or limited time parking zones by a resolution setting forth the location of the zone, and the time limit imposed, if applicable. The Director of Engineering must post signs indicating a no parking zone or the specified time limit for parking. If there is a raised curb, the curb must be painted yellow at the designated no parking zone. A person must not park a vehicle contrary to these postings or designations.
(D) Posted no parking zones. A person must not park a vehicle where permanent or temporary signs are posted by the city, or by authorized personnel acting at the city’s direction, that state “no parking.”
(E) Fire lane. A person must not park in an area designated and posted as a fire lane.
(F) Existing signs. Existing signs that have been posted by direction of the council, Director of Engineering or the Chief of Police regulating parking of vehicles will be recognized as properly placed under this section until changed by proper direction of the Council.
(G) Trailers other than house trailers. A person may not park a trailer, other than house trailers which are specifically dealt with in another section of the city code, without first having obtained an obstruction permit as specified in the city’s Right-Of-Way Ordinance.
(H) Truck parking. It is unlawful to park a detached semi-trailer upon any public right-of-way, or municipally-owned parking lot. It is unlawful to park a semi-trailer, whether or not attached to a truck tractor, within an area zoned as a residential district, except for the purpose of loading or unloading the same.
(I) Displaying a vehicle for sale. It is unlawful to park a vehicle on a public right-of-way or municipally owned parking lot for the purpose of displaying it for sale.
(J) Municipal parking lots. In municipally owned parking lots, the Council may limit the sizes and types of motor vehicles to be parked thereon, hours of parking and prescribed method of parking; provided that, the limitations and restrictions are properly posted or marked on the paving. It is unlawful to park any vehicle in any municipally owned parking lot contrary to the restriction or limitations so posted.
(K) Parking in alleys. A person must not park a vehicle or permit it to stand, whether attended or unattended, on an alley within the city; provided that a vehicle may for the purpose of access to abutting property load and unload merchandise or other material when parking on the property itself is not available for an hour or less, and when properly signed on the ends of the alley.
(L) Blocking entrances to structures. A person must not park a vehicle so as to block a fire escape or the entrance or exit from a building, whether on public or private property.
(M) Temporary restricting of traffic or parking. The City Engineer is hereby authorized to restrict traffic flow or parking for the purposes of maintenance, construction or any other purpose specifically allowed in the City Code. The Director of Engineering shall cause the restrictions to be properly and clearly posted or marked. It is unlawful to restrict block traffic except as allowed herein.
(N) Fire hydrants. It is unlawful for a person to park or stop a vehicle so as to block access to a fire hydrant, and in no event on a street or parking lot within ten feet of a fire hydrant.
(O) Peace officer direction. It is unlawful for a person to stop or park a vehicle on a street or highway when directed or ordered to proceed by a peace officer invested by law with authority to direct, control or regulate traffic or by an authorized person under the direction and control of a peace officer.
(P) Certain designated parking spaces. It is unlawful for a person to park a vehicle in an area designated by posted signs for certain types of vehicles unless the vehicle is one of the types of vehicles specifically permitted.
(Q) Impounding and removing vehicles. When any police officer finds a vehicle standing upon a street or municipally-owned parking lot in violation of any parking regulation, the officer is hereby authorized to require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to remove the same to a position in compliance with this code. When any police officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any street or municipally-owned parking lot in violation of any parking regulation, the officer is hereby authorized to impound the unlawful parked vehicle and to provide for the removal thereof and to remove the same to a convenient garage or other facility or place of safety; provided that, if any charge shall be placed against the vehicle for cost of removal or storage, or both, by anyone called upon to assist therewith the same shall be paid prior to removal from such place of storage or safekeeping.
(R) Operating a vehicle in a parking lot. A person must not operate a motor vehicle on a public or private parking lot at a speed greater than is safe and reasonable under the conditions of traffic then existing, and in no event at a speed exceeding 15 miles per hour. Parking of vehicles on those lots must conform to any stalls or positions for parking designated on the surface of the parking area. A vehicle must not be parked or allowed to stand in an area designated or is used for a lane of moving traffic so as to interfere with the movement of traffic.
(S) Parking privileges for physically handicapped.
(1) Any physically handicapped person who displays prominently upon the automobile parked by him or her or under his or her direction and for his or her use, the distinguishing certificate or insignia specified by state or federal law shall be entitled to park in spots designated for their use.
(2) If the police of the city shall find that the certificate or insignia is being used improperly, they shall report the same to the Chief of Police, and the Chief of Police shall in turn, report the improper use to the Secretary of State, who may, in his or her discretion, remove the privilege. Any person who is does not display the proper insignia and who parks in handicapped designated spaces is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(T) Loading zones. A person may request in writing that the city establish a loading zone abutting premises that the person occupies. If, the City Council grants the request, the city will bill the applicant for the estimated cost of placing appropriate signs and painting the curb. When the amount is paid to the city, the City Engineer will install the necessary signs and paint the curb. The person occupying the property shall be subject to the annual maintenance cost of maintaining the signage and markings. During posted loading zone hours, a person must not stop, stand or park a vehicle in a loading zone except to receive or discharge passengers or freight and then only for no longer than necessary. A person must not occupy a loading zone with a vehicle for more than 15 minutes during those hours.
(Ord. 794, passed 6-4-02; Am. Ord. 862, passed 11-16-04)