Parking Regulations

Download as PDF

CHAPTER 69

PARKING REGULATIONS

69.01    PARKING LIMITED OR CONTROLLED.  Parking of vehicles shall be controlled or limited where so indicated by designated traffic control devices in accordance with Chapter 61 of this Traffic Code.  No person shall stop, park or stand a vehicle in violation of any such posted parking regulations unless in compliance with the directions of a peace officer.

69.02    PARK ADJACENT TO CURB.  No person shall stand or park a vehicle in a roadway other than parallel with the edge of the roadway headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement and with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle within eighteen (18) inches of the curb or edge of the roadway except as hereinafter provided in the case of angle parking and vehicles parked on the left-hand side of one-way streets.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.361)

69.03    PARK ADJACENT TO CURB – ONE-WAY STREET.  No person shall stand or park a vehicle on the left-hand side of a one-way street other than parallel with the edge of the roadway headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement and with the left-hand wheels of the vehicle within eighteen (18) inches of the curb or edge of the roadway except as hereinafter provided in the case of angle parking.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.361)

69.04    DIAGONAL PARKING.  Angle or diagonal parking is permitted only in the following locations:

1.         Eighth Avenue on the east side from Fourth Street to First Street;

2.         Eighth Avenue on the west side from Third Street to First Street;

3.         Second Street on the north and south side from Ninth Avenue to Seventh Avenue.

69.05    ANGLE PARKING – MANNER.  Upon those streets or portions of streets which have been signed or marked for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at an angle to the curb or edge of the roadway or in the center of the roadway as indicated by such signs and markings.  No part of any vehicle, or the load thereon, when parked within a diagonal parking district, shall extend into the roadway more than a distance of sixteen (16) feet when measured at right angles to the adjacent curb or edge of roadway.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.361)

69.06    PARKING FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES ILLEGAL.  No person shall park a vehicle upon public property for more than 48 hours, unless otherwise limited under the provisions of Section 69.01 of this chapter, or for any of the following principal purposes:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.236 [1])

1. Sale.  Displaying such vehicle for sale.
2. Repairing.  For lubricating, repairing or for commercial washing of such vehicle except such repairs as are necessitated by an emergency.
3. Advertising.  Displaying advertising.
4. Merchandise Sales.  Selling merchandise from such vehicle except in a duly established market place or when so authorized or licensed under the Code of Ordinances.

69.07    PARKING PROHIBITED.  No one shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places:

1. Crosswalk.  On a crosswalk.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [5])

1. Center Parkway.  On the center parkway or dividing area of any divided street.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.236 [1])

1. Mailboxes.  Within twenty (20) feet on either side of a mailbox which is so placed and so equipped as to permit the depositing of mail from vehicles on the roadway.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.236 [1])

1. Sidewalks.  On or across a sidewalk.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [1])

1. Driveway.  In front of a public or private driveway.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [2])

1. Intersection.  Within an intersection or within ten (10) feet of an intersection of any street or alley.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358[3])

1. Fire Hydrant.  Within five (5) feet of a fire hydrant.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [4])

1. Stop Sign or Signal.  Within ten (10) feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop or yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [6])

1. Railroad Crossing.  Within fifty (50) feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing, except when parked parallel with such rail and not exhibiting a red light.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [8])

1. Fire Station.  Within twenty (20) feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five (75) feet of said entrance when properly sign posted.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [9])

1. Excavations.  Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [10])

1. Double Parking.  On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [11])

1. Hazardous Locations.  When, because of restricted visibility or when standing or parked vehicles would constitute a hazard to moving traffic, or when other traffic conditions require, the Council may cause curbs to be painted with a yellow color and erect no parking or standing signs.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358 [13])

1. Churches, Nursing Homes and Other Buildings.  A space of fifty (50) feet is hereby reserved at the side of the street in front of any theatre, auditorium, hotel having more than twenty-five (25) sleeping rooms, hospital, nursing home, taxicab stand, bus depot, church, or other building where large assemblages of people are being held, within which space, when clearly marked as such, no motor vehicle shall be left standing, parked or stopped except in taking on or discharging passengers or freight, and then only for such length of time as is necessary for such purpose.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.360)

1. Alleys.  No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten (10) feet of the width of the roadway for the free movement of vehicular traffic, and no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley in such a position as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property.  The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a vehicle parked in any alley which is eighteen (18) feet wide or less; provided said vehicle is parked to deliver goods or services.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.236[1])

1. Ramps.  In front of a curb cut or ramp which is located on public or private property in a manner which blocks access to the curb cut or ramp.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.358[15])

1. Area Between Lot Line and Sidewalk.  That area of the public way not covered by sidewalk and lying between the lot line and the curb line, where curbing has been installed.  Where no curbing has been installed or where drop curbing is installed, there shall be parallel parking only.

69.08    PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PARKING.  The following regulations shall apply to the establishment and use of persons with disabilities parking spaces:

1. Establishment.  Persons with disabilities parking spaces shall be established and designated in accordance with Chapter 321L of the Code of Iowa and Iowa Administrative Code, 661-18.  No unauthorized person shall establish any on-street persons with disabilities parking space without first obtaining Council approval.
2. Improper Use.  The following uses of a persons with disabilities parking space, located on either public or private property, constitute improper use of a persons with disabilities parking permit, which is a violation of this Code of Ordinances:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321L.4[2])

1. Use by an operator of a vehicle not displaying a persons with disabilities parking permit;
2. Use by an operator of a vehicle displaying a persons with disabilities parking permit but not being used by a person issued a permit or being transported in accordance with Section 321L.2[1b] of the Code of Iowa;
3. Use by a vehicle in violation of the rules adopted under Section 321L.8 of the Code of Iowa.
4. Wheelchair Parking Cones.  No person shall use or interfere with a wheelchair parking cone in violation of the following:
5. A person issued a persons with disabilities parking permit must comply with the requirements of Section 321L.2A (1) of the Code of Iowa when utilizing a wheelchair parking cone.
6. A person shall not interfere with a wheelchair parking cone which is properly placed under the provisions of Section 321L.2A (1) of the Code of Iowa.

69.09    TRUCK PARKING LIMITED.  No person shall park a motor truck, semi-trailer, or other motor vehicle with trailer attached in violation of the following regulations.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to pick-up, light delivery or panel delivery trucks.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.236 [1])

1.    Business District.  Excepting only when such vehicles are actually engaged in the delivery or receiving of merchandise or cargo, no person shall park or leave unattended such vehicle on any streets within the business district.  When actually receiving or delivering merchandise or cargo such vehicle shall be stopped or parked in a manner which will not interfere with other traffic.

2.    Noise.  No such vehicle shall be left standing or parked upon any street, alley, public or private parking lot, or drive of any service station between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. with the engine, auxiliary engine, air compressor, refrigerating equipment or other device in operation giving off audible sounds excepting only the drive of a service station when actually being serviced, and then in no event for more than thirty (30) minutes.

3.    Livestock.  No such vehicle containing livestock shall be parked on any street, alley, or highway for a period of time of more than thirty (30) minutes.

69.10   SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING.  The purpose of this section is to improve public safety during times when significant amounts of snow or ice are on or expected to be on City streets.

1. Definitions.  For purposes of this section the following are defined:
2. The “Downtown Business District” is from Seventh to Ninth Avenue and from Second Street to Fourth Street.
3. “Vehicle” means any trailer, motor home, car, truck, bus, motorcycle, golf cart, or other similar mode of conveyance.
4. Automatic and Declared Snow Emergencies.
5. An automatic snow emergency will go into effect any time snow accumulation is two inches or more in the City.
6. The Mayor may declare a snow emergency on the basis of actual or predicted snow, sleet, freezing rain, or ice.
7. Public Notification.  The Mayor, upon declaring a snow emergency, shall cause local media outlets to be notified of the snow emergency in a manner similar to any public notification.
8. Effective Times of Emergency.
9. An automatic snow emergency shall start as soon as two inches of snow has fallen in the City and will end 24 hours after the precipitation ends.
10. A declared snow emergency shall start two hours after its declaration and shall last for 24 hours from the effective start time.  The purpose of the two-hour delay is to provide owners a reasonable time to remove vehicles from the streets.  The Mayor may modify the start and end times of a declared snow emergency, but at no time may the snow emergency take effect before two hours has elapsed from the time of the declaration.
11. Restrictions During Snow Emergency.
12. During a snow emergency no vehicle shall be parked anywhere on any City street except as provided in paragraph B of this subsection.
13. During a snow emergency, parking is allowed on City streets in the Downtown Business District, only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
14. Towing and Impounding of Illegally Parked Vehicles.  During a snow emergency the Mayor, a City Council member, City employee, or any law enforcement official may order that any vehicle parked on a City street in violation of this section be towed.  Once the tow driver hooks up to the vehicle it shall be the sole responsibility of the vehicle’s owner to pay all costs for the towing.  If the vehicle is impounded, it shall be the sole responsibility of the vehicle’s owner to pay all impounding costs.
15. Violations and Penalties.  In addition to having the vehicle towed, any person violating this section is subject to prosecution pursuant to Section 1.14 of this Code of Ordinances.  Each 12-hour period a vehicle is on the street in violation of this section constitutes a separate and distinct offense.

69.11    MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT.  As used in this section, the term “municipal parking lot” means the municipal parking lot of the City located on Lots 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, Block 7, in the Original Plat of the Town (now City) of Wellman, in Washington County, Iowa.  The following regulations apply to parking in the municipal lot:

1. The municipal parking lot shall be used for the parking of the following vehicles and for no other purpose, unless by special permission of the Council:
2. Automobiles;
3. Motorcycles;
4. Motorized bicycles or motor bicycles;
5. Motor trucks having a gross weight of not more than four (4) tons.
6. All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking spaces within the municipal parking lot and shall be driven forward into such designated parking spaces rather than backed into such spaces.  All vehicles shall be parked with the front tires within twelve (12) inches of the curb at the front of the designated parking space.
7. Vehicles must enter the municipal parking lot under their own power and may not be towed or pushed into the lot and parked therein.
8. No vehicle shall be parked for a time period of more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours.
9. All vehicles must be driven within the designated driving areas and shall not be driven across curbs or islands within the municipal parking lot.
10. No person shall in any manner damage any tree, bush, shrub, or plant within the lot.
11. Every driver of a vehicle emerging from the lot shall stop at the exit and thereafter shall proceed from the lot onto the highway, alley, or public street, only when able to do so without danger, and shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic on the highway, alley, or public street.

69.12    CONTROLLED ACCESS FACILITIES.  Parking restrictions on controlled access facilities are as specified in Chapter 139 of this Code of Ordinances.

69.13    RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKING RESTRICTED.

1. “Recreational vehicle,” as used in this section, includes travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, and motor homes as defined below, as well as converted school buses or other vehicles customarily or ordinarily used for vacation or recreational purposes as a place of temporary human habitation.
2. “Travel trailer” is a vehicle without motive power used, manufactured, or constructed to permit its use as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and designed to permit its use as a place of human habitation by one or more persons.  The vehicle may be up to eight feet, six inches in width and its overall length shall not exceed 40 feet.  The vehicle shall be customarily or ordinarily used for vacation or recreational purposes and not used a place of permanent habitation.  If the vehicle is used in this State as a place of human habitation for more than 90 consecutive days in one location, it shall be classed as a mobile home regardless of the size limitations provided in this paragraph.
3. “Fifth-wheel travel trailer” is a type of travel trailer which is towed by a pickup by a connecting device known as a fifth wheel.  However, this type of travel trailer may have an overall length which does not exceed 40 feet.
4. “Motor home” is a motor vehicle designed as an integral unit to be used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and for use as a temporary or recreational dwelling and having at least four of the following, two of which shall be systems specified in subparagraphs (1), (4), or (5) of this paragraph, of the following permanently installed systems:

(1)    Cooking facilities;

(2)   Ice box or mechanical refrigerator;

(3)   Potable water supply including plumbing and a sink with faucet either self-contained or with connections for an external source, or both;

(4)   Self-contained toilet connected to a plumbing system with a connection for external water disposal, or both;

(5)   Heating or air conditioning system or both, separate from the vehicle engine or the vehicle engine electrical system;

(6)   A 110/115-volt alternating current electrical system separate from the vehicle engine electrical system either with its own power supply or with a connection for an external source, or both, or a liquefied petroleum system and supply.

1. No recreational vehicle parked inside the City limits shall be used as a place of temporary human habitation for more than two weeks (14 days) without obtaining a permit from the City as described in subsection 3.
2. The City Clerk, with the approval of the Council, may issue a permit to allow use of a recreational vehicle as a temporary human habitation within the City limits for up to 60 days.  A fee of $20.00 shall be charged by the City Clerk upon the issuance of such a permit.
3. Recreational vehicle permits shall be issued at the sole discretion of the Council, and the Council may direct the issuance of a recreational vehicle permit based on the affirmative vote of a majority of the City Council members present at the meeting before which the issue of the permit is brought.
4. A recreational vehicle permit issued on any recreational vehicle which is being used as a place of temporary human habitation shall be prominently displayed in a window of the recreational vehicle.

Any recreational vehicle subject to the permit requirements of this section that continues to be used as a place of human habitation in violation of the permit requirement shall be considered a nuisance and may be dealt with according to the provisions of Chapter 50 of this Code of Ordinances