[Amended 11-13-2017]
A. 
The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to determine and define street areas within which the volume of vehicular traffic is such as to require prohibitions or restrictions upon the parking of vehicles; to classify vehicles with reference to parking; to designate the time, place and manner in which such vehicles may be allowed to park upon the highways; and, with the approval of the City Council upon resolution duly adopted, to make such parking rules and regulations as traffic conditions may require in various areas and under the varying conditions which may prevail at different times. It shall be the duty of the City Manager, upon the promulgation of such rules and regulations and before they shall become effective, to give such public notice thereof by establishing and posting signs or other authorized traffic control devices as may be reasonably adequate to make clear to the operators of vehicles affected thereby as to the existence, nature and requirements of such rules and regulations. From and after the effective date of the rules and regulations imposed in any area by virtue of the provisions of this article, it shall be unlawful for any person to stop or park any vehicle in any restricted or prohibited area otherwise than in accordance with the notices and directives given by such signs and other traffic control devices.
B. 
The power of the City Manager to establish parking rules and regulations described in Subsection A herein shall include the authority to impose daily time limitations for the parking of vehicles within a given parking space, upon a given City block, or upon a given street, and to prescribe different regulations for different times of day or week, and he may repeal, modify or temporarily suspend such regulations as he may deem necessary or advisable from time to time, and may impose different regulations during times of emergency, special events, construction and other contingencies requiring modification of such regulations
C. 
The City Manager may adopt, with the approval of City Council by resolution duly adopted, penalties for violations , deadlines for the payment of fines, and late payment penalties for fines not paid when due, and he may temporarily repeal, amend or modify any such regulation as conditions may require.
[Added 11-10-1980]
A. 
The Police Department of the City is hereby empowered to regulate the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the parking of vehicles and the establishment of speed limits and controls upon all parking lots, shopping areas or other areas as defined in § 46.2-1219, Code of Virginia.
[Amended 11-13-1990]
B. 
No vehicle shall be parked on such lots, except wherein designated by markings or other identification on such lots and/or areas.
C. 
No one shall travel or trespass on the areas referred to herein after posted hours as designated by signs or markings for the same. There is excepted from these regulations anyone who is employed by one of the business establishments located therein and is on such property after posted hours for official business.
D. 
In the event of a violation of any of the provisions of this section, a penalty may be assessed in an amount not less than $10 nor more than $100.
[Added 11-10-1980; amended 6-26-1989]
A. 
The Police Department for the City is hereby empowered to regulate and control parking in and on fire and emergency lanes upon those parking lots, shopping areas, all City municipal park parking areas or other areas as defined in § 46.2-1219, Code of Virginia.
[Amended 11-13-1990]
B. 
There shall be no parking at any time in any area referred to herein or as defined in the above code section, except for Fire Department, emergency and police vehicles.
C. 
In the event of a violation of any of the provisions of this section, the Police Department for the City may have the vehicle towed at the owner's expense, and a penalty may be assessed in an amount not less than $10 nor more than $100.
A. 
No vehicle, other than a passenger vehicle, shall be parked or left standing in any street in any zoned residential district between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day, and between the hours of 6:00 p.m. on any Saturday and 7:00 a.m. on the Monday following, such parking shall be prohibited at all times.
B. 
Campers, boats and similar vehicles.
(1) 
Except as provided in Subsection B(2) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to park a travel trailer, detached trailer, camper or boat in any zoned residential district of the City for a period of time longer than one week, except inside of a building or on the property of the owner to the rear of the residence or in a side yard behind the front line of the residence. All such vehicles must at all times display current state and City vehicle licenses.
(2) 
The owner shall procure a permit from the City Manager's office before parking any of the above-mentioned vehicles for a period exceeding one week.
(3) 
Any person violating this subsection shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
C. 
Business vehicles.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a business vehicle having a hauling capacity of more than one ton for a period of longer than 24 hours in a zoned residential district. In the event of habitual or continuous parking, even though for a period of less than 24 hours, it shall be considered a violation of this subsection.
(2) 
Any person violating this subsection shall be fined not less than $5. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
D. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle containing livestock on any street within an R-1 Residential District or R-2 Residential District within the City, as designated by the Zoning Ordinance, for more than 1/2 hour. A vehicle shall be considered parked for 1/2 hour if it is not moved at least one block within that period. Any person violating this subsection shall be fined not less than $2.50 nor more than $10.
[Amended 11-13-2017]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in the alleys of the City except during the time that such person is engaged in loading or unloading such vehicle, and in case such vehicle is parked for the purpose of loading or unloading , it shall be parked so that traffic will not be blocked or interfered with more than is reasonably necessary.
B. 
Any person found guilty of violating this section shall be fined in an amount to be determined by the City Manager and confirmed by resolution of City Council.
[Added 10-26-1981; amended 7-12-1982]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for a nonhandicapped operator of any motor vehicle to park in a parking space reserved for the handicapped on public property or at privately owned shopping centers and business offices located within the City.
B. 
A nonhandicapped operator may use these spaces when chauffeuring a handicapped person, provided that the vehicle is identified as a handicapped vehicle.
C. 
Any vehicle parked in a handicapped parking space shall be deemed illegally parked unless the vehicle displays a state handicapped motor vehicle license plate or any other handicapped display that may be allowed by the City.
D. 
Any police officer employed by the City shall have full authority to issue a summons for any offense as hereinabove referred to.
E. 
In the event of a violation of this section, a penalty may be assessed in an amount not less than $10 nor more than $100.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on any street for the purpose of displaying or selling merchandise, provided that temporary stops for the purpose of making sales by persons licensed as peddlers or persons of whom no peddler's license is required shall not be deemed a violation, but no stop by any vehicle at one place for a period in excess of 30 minutes shall be considered temporary, and no vehicle shall make more than one stop in any one block within 24 hours.
No person shall wash, polish or grease a vehicle upon a highway or sidewalk, nor shall the owner of a vehicle permit it to be washed, polished or greased upon a highway or sidewalk.
A. 
Whenever any bus, truck, trailer, house trailer or mobile home is disabled and stops upon any portion of the traveled portion of any street in the City, except upon streets which are artificially lighted at night, at any time during which lights are required upon motor vehicles by the Code of Virginia, the operator of such bus, truck, trailer, house trailer or mobile home shall place or cause to be placed on the roadway three red reflector flares or torches of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police. One of the flares or torches shall be placed in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled bus, truck, trailer, house trailer or mobile home and not less than 100 feet therefrom in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane, one not less than 100 feet from such bus, truck, trailer, house trailer or mobile home in the opposite direction and one at the traffic side of such bus, truck, trailer, house trailer or mobile home not closer than 10 feet from the front or rear thereof, provided that if such bus, truck, trailer, house trailer or mobile home is disabled within 500 feet of a curve or crest of a hill or other obstruction to view, the flares or torches in that direction shall be so placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case less than 500 feet from the disabled vehicle. Red reflectorized triangular warning devices of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police may be used in lieu of flares or torches.
[Amended 11-13-1990]
B. 
If any such vehicle is used for the transportation of flammable liquids in bulk whether loaded or empty, or for transporting flammable gases, red reflector flares or red electric lanterns of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police shall be used. Such reflectors or lanterns shall be lighted and placed upon the roadway in the manner provided in Subsection A of this section.
C. 
During such time as lights on motor vehicles are not required, red flags not less than 12 inches both in length and width shall be used in the place of flares, torches, reflectors or lanterns. The flags shall be placed upon the roadway in the manner prescribed in § 46.2-111, Code of Virginia for flares, torches, reflectors and lanterns, except that no flag shall be required to be placed at the side of such vehicle, but if the disablement of such vehicle continues into the period when lights on motor vehicles are required, flares, torches, reflectors or lanterns shall be placed as required by § 46.2-111, Code of Virginia. Red reflectorized triangular warning devices of a type approved by the Superintendent of State Police may be used in lieu of flags.
[Amended 11-13-1990]
[Amended 11-13-1990; 8-9-1999]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation or firm to park an automobile, truck, trailer or other equipment of this type, which is inoperative on any street or private property within the City of Galax, Virginia, for a longer period of time than 48 hours, unless same is in a garage or enclosed building. As used in this section, an inoperative motor vehicle means any motor vehicle, trailer or other equipment of this type which is not in operating condition or which has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires and wheels, the engine or other essential parts required for the operation of the vehicle, trailer or other equipment of this type or on which there is displayed no valid state license plates, valid state inspection decal and valid City decal.
B. 
Any vehicle described in Subsection A above which is parked outside of a licensed garage for repairs may be parked for a period not exceeding 30 days.
C. 
The City Manager shall have the right to give a permit for thirty-day parking under the terms of this section if he deems it proper.
D. 
Any person, corporation or firm violating this section shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100. Each day this violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
A. 
No person shall park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places:
(1) 
On a sidewalk.
(2) 
In front of a public or private driveway.
(3) 
Within an intersection.
(4) 
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
(5) 
On a crosswalk.
(6) 
Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, provided that where there is no crosswalk at an intersection, no person shall so park a vehicle within 20 feet from the intersection of curblines or, if none, then within 15 feet of the intersection of property lines.
(7) 
Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.
(8) 
Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless a different length is indicated by official signs or markings.
(9) 
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad grade crossing.
(10) 
Within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire station or within 15 feet of the entrance to a building housing rescue squad equipment or ambulances, provided that such buildings are plainly designated.
(11) 
Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such parking would obstruct traffic.
(12) 
On the roadway side of any vehicle parked at the edge or curb of a street.
(13) 
Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a street or highway or within a tunnel.
(14) 
At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
B. 
No person other than a police officer shall move a vehicle into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such distance as is unlawful or start or cause to be started the motor of any motor vehicle or shift, change or move the levers, brake, starting device, gears or other mechanism of a parked motor vehicle to a position other than that in which it was left by the owner or driver thereof or attempt to do so.
[Amended 11-13-2017]
No vehicle shall be backed up to a sidewalk or curb, except during the time actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise therefrom, and for all the time a vehicle shall remain backed up to a sidewalk or curb over and above such time as may be necessary for such purpose, the driver or owner of such vehicle shall be fined an amount to be determined by the City Manager and confirmed by resolution of City Council for each hour or part of an hour that it shall stand so backed up. No person shall be allowed to obstruct the streets while loading or unloading such vehicle, when required to move out of the way, and for failure to so move such person shall be fined an amount to be determined by the City Manager and confirmed by resolution of City Council.
Where a loading and unloading zone has been set apart by the City Manager in accordance with applicable provisions of this Article, the following regulations shall apply with respect to the use of such areas:
A. 
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time, other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of materials, in any place marked as a curb loading zone during hours when the provisions applicable to such zones are in effect. All delivery vehicles, other than regular delivery trucks, using such loading zones shall be identified by the owner's or company's name in letters three inches high on both sides of the vehicle.
B. 
The driver of a passenger vehicle may stop temporarily in a space marked as a curb loading zone for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading passengers or bundles when such stopping does not interfere with any vehicle used for the transportation of materials which is waiting to enter or is about to enter such loading space.
Where a bus stop or taxicab stand has been set apart in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand when such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately signed, except that the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop therein for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone.
A. 
Whenever any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is found on the public streets or public grounds unattended by the owner or operator and constitutes a hazard to traffic or is parked in such manner as to be in violation of the law or whenever any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is left unattended for more than 10 days upon any privately owned property, other than the property of the owner of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, within the City or is abandoned upon such privately owned property without the permission of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof, any such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may be removed for safekeeping by or under the direction of a police officer to a storage garage or area, provided that no such vehicle shall be so removed from privately owned premises without the written request of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof, and the person at whose request such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is removed from privately owned property shall indemnify the City against any loss or expense incurred by reason of the removal, storage or sale thereof.
B. 
It shall be presumed that such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof is abandoned if it does not bear a current license plate or a valid state inspection certificate or sticker and it has been in a specific location for 10 days without being moved.
C. 
Each removal shall be reported immediately to the Police Department and notice thereof given to the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer as promptly as possible.
D. 
The owner of such vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, before obtaining possession thereof, shall pay to the City all reasonable costs incidental to the removal, storage and locating the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. Should such owner fail or refuse to pay the cost or should the identity or whereabouts of such owner be unknown and unascertainable after a diligent search has been made and after notice to him at his last known address and to the holder of any lien of record in the office of the Division of Motor Vehicles of Virginia against the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, the Chief of Police may, after holding the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer 40 days and after due notice of sale, dispose of the same at a public sale, and the proceeds from the sale shall be forwarded by the selling officer to the Treasurer of the City, provided that if the value of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is determined by three disinterested dealers or garagemen to be less than $150, it may be disposed of by private sale or junked. The Treasurer shall pay from the proceeds of the sale the cost of removal, storage, investigation as to ownership and liens and notice of sale, and the balance of such funds shall be held by him for the owner and paid to the owner upon satisfactory proof of ownership. If no claim has been made by the owner for the proceeds of such sale, the remaining funds may be deposited to the general fund or any special fund of the City. Any such owner shall be entitled to apply to the City within three years from the date of such sale, and if timely application is made therefor, the City shall pay the same to the owner without interest or other charges. No claim shall be made, nor shall any suit, action or proceeding be instituted, for the recovery of such funds after three years from the date of such sale.
The City Manager shall have the power to enter into contracts with the owner or operator of garages or places for the removal or storage of vehicles referred to in § 148-75. The contracts shall provide for the payment by the City of reasonable charges for the removal and storage of such vehicles, shall require such owners or operators to deliver such vehicles to the owners thereof or their agents upon demand therefor, upon furnishing satisfactory evidence of identity and ownership or agency and that the owners or operators of such garages or places of storage will indemnify the owners of such vehicles for injury or damage thereto resulting from the negligent removal or storage thereof, and such owners or operators shall be required to provide themselves with adequate liability insurance to cover such indemnity.
Any personal property found in any unattended or abandoned motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may be sold incident to the sale of any such vehicle as authorized in § 148-75.
No person shall stand or park a vehicle on any private lot or lot area without the express or implied consent of the owner thereof. Whenever signs or markings have been erected on any lot or lot area contiguous or adjacent to a street, thoroughfare or alley, indicating that no vehicles are permitted to stand or park thereon, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle across any curb or lot line or over any driveway from a street or alley into such lot or area for the purpose of standing or parking such vehicle or for any person to stop, stand or park any vehicle in such lot or lot area.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof on the private property of any other person without his consent.
B. 
Upon complaint of the owner of the property on which such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof has been abandoned for more than five days, such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof may be removed by or under the direction of a police officer to a storage garage or area, provided that the person at whose request such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof is so removed shall indemnify the City against any loss or expense incurred by reason of the removal, storage or sale thereof.
C. 
In the case of the removal of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof from private property, when the same cannot be readily sold, such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof may be disposed of in such manner as the City Council may provide.
D. 
In all other respects, the provisions of § 148-75 shall apply to such removals, provided that the disposal of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may, at the option of the City Council, be carried out under either the provisions of § 148-75 or under the provisions of this section, after a diligent search for the owner, after notice to him at his last known address and to the holder of any lien of record in the office of the Division of Motor Vehicles of this state against such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer and after the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer has been held at least 60 days.
E. 
The Division of Motor Vehicles shall be notified of the disposition of any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer under § 148-75 or the provisions hereof.
[Amended 11-13-2017; 4-23-2018; 9-12-2022]
A. 
Each police officer, or other City employee designated by the Chief of Police and charged with the duty of enforcing this article, shall place on any vehicle parked illegally under the provisions of this article a notice to the owner or driver thereof that such vehicle has been parked in violation of this article and instructing such owner or driver when and where to report with reference to such violation. The City Manager shall promulgate forms for issuing notice of such illegal parking and for contesting such notices and may amend such forms from time to time as he may determine.
B. 
Upon failure of any such owner, within the time limit provided on the forms for issuing notice of illegal parking, to pay the penalty provided on the forms, as allowed under this chapter, the City Manager shall send to such owner a law enforcement notice advising him or her of the violation and warning him or her that, in the event the penalty is not paid within five days of receipt of such notice, the City Manager or the Manager's designee shall cause a summons to be issued against the person to be charged with the offense and shall certify, in writing, such parking citation to the Clerk of the City's General District Court. Any owner who fails to comply with the terms of such notice shall be subject to the penalty provided for in § 148-24 of this chapter.
C. 
In any prosecution charging a violation of the parking regulations, proof that the vehicle described in the complaint, summons or warrant was parked in violation thereof, together with proof that the defendant was at the time of such parking the registered owner of the vehicle, as required by Code of Virginia, § 46.2-600 et seq., shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that such registered owner of the vehicle was the person who parked the vehicle at the place where, and for the time during which, such violation occurred.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Division 2, Metered Parking, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 11-13-1990.