[Added 4-6-1987; amended 6-6-1988; 10-5-1998]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CROSSWALK
That portion of the highway ordinarily included within the
prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections,
or any portion of a highway distinctly indicated, by lines or other
markings on the surface, as crossing for pedestrians, except such
prolonged or connecting lines from an alley across a street.
HIGHWAY
Includes any public highway, road, street, avenue, alley,
driveway, waterway, parkway or place, under the control of the City
of Middletown, dedicated, appropriated or opened to public travel
or other use.
PARKING
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, on a
highway, except it shall not include the temporary standing of a vehicle
for the purpose of and while engaged in receiving or discharging passengers
or loading or unloading merchandise or while in obedience to traffic
regulations or traffic signs or signals.
PERSON
Includes any individual, corporation, association, copartnership,
company, firm or other aggregation of individuals.
TRAFFIC
Pedestrians, vehicles and other conveyances while using any
highway for the purpose of travel.
[Added 4-6-1987]
No person shall park any vehicle in front of,
or so as to obstruct or interfere with, the ingress to or egress from
any private driveway or alley, except with the permission of the owner
of such driveway or alley.
[Added 4-6-1987; amended 10-2-2006 by Ord. No.
24-06]
No person shall make a U-turn or turn left across
the center line to enter a parking stall on Main Street between Pleasant
Street and Washington Street.
[Added 4-6-1987]
The Traffic Authority, in his/her discretion,
may establish no thru-truck highways in conformance with the regulations
established by the State Traffic Commission.
[Added 4-6-1987]
The Traffic Authority, in his/her discretion,
may establish tow zones upon the highways in conformance with the
regulations established by the State Traffic Commission.
[Added 2-8-1978]
There shall be no parking of motor vehicles
between the curbline and the sidewalk at any time except during the
period from December 1 through March 31 of each year.
[Added 6-6-1988; amended 10-5-1998; 10-6-2003; 11-1-2004 by Ord. No.
13-04; 5-7-2007 by Ord. No. 06-07; 6-4-2007 by Ord. No. 11-07; 12-6-2010 by Ord. No. 85-10; 12-5-2011 by Ord. No. 23-11; 12-1-2014 by Ord. No. 17-14; 7-6-2015 by Ord. No. 14-15; 5-2-2016 by Ord. No. 09-16]
A. Hours meters to be in operation; street/curb meters or kiosks.
(1) Street/curb parking meters or kiosks shall be in operation for street/curb
parking spaces every day except Sundays and legal holidays. The Director
of Economic and Community Development or his/her designee, with the
consent and approval of the Common Council, may amend the hours of
operation of street/curb parking meters or kiosks to facilitate the
most reasonable, prudent and effective meter or kiosk implementations.
Upon amendment of any hours of operation, corresponding signage, including
but not limited to individual meter or kiosk stickers on the impacted
meters, denoting any change in street/curb parking meter enforcement
times shall be posted, which shall inform the public of the change.
Enforcement of any change to the street/curb parking meter hours of
operation may not occur until 30 calendar days have passed after the
effective date of the change or until 30 calendar days have passed
after any new implementation occurs so as to provide the public an
educational adjustment period to such a change or new implementation.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(2) Meter or kiosk payments. Coin, cash or a credit or debit card shall
be deposited or entered in street/curb meters and/or kiosks or by
mobile payment technology when a vehicle is parked in a municipal
space. When any vehicle shall be parked in any parking space alongside,
adjacent to or within proximity to a parking meter or kiosk, the operator
of such vehicle shall deposit or cause to be deposited in the meter
or kiosk the proper coin, cash or credit or debit card entry or utilize
the appropriate mobile payment technologies as designated by proper
direction on the street/curb meter or kiosk.
B. Parking lots; hours parking in lots prohibited. Where existing, parking
lot meters shall be in operation for parking lot spaces every day
except Sundays and legal holidays. The Director of Economic and Community
Development or his/her designee, in his/her discretion, may amend
the hours of operation of the parking lots. Upon amendment of the
hours of operation, corresponding signage changes which inform the
public of the change must be implemented. The parking lots are hereby
designated as follows:
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(1) Lot A is located at the corner of Washington Street and Broad Street.
(2) Lot B (a.k.a. Main Street and Liberty Street Lot) is located on Main
Street at the corner with Liberty Street.
(3) Broad Street Russell Library Lot is located directly across from
the Russell Library.
(4) Government Square Municipal Garage (a.k.a. Court Street, Arcade or
Riverview Lot).
(5) Kings Avenue Lot, off Kings Avenue and Main Street.
(6) Melilli Plaza Lot is located between Washington Street and (Lower)
Court Street.
(7) Green Street Lots A&B, off Green Street.
(8) Harbor Park and River Road Lots.
C. Meter or kiosk payments. Coin, cash or a credit or debit card shall
be deposited or entered in meters and/or kiosks or by mobile payment
technology when a vehicle is parked in a municipal parking lot space.
When, any vehicle shall be parked in any parking space alongside,
adjacent to or within proximity to a parking meter or kiosk within
a lot, the operator of such vehicle shall deposit or cause to be deposited
in the meter or kiosk the proper coin, cash or credit or debit card
entry or utilize the appropriate mobile payment technologies as designated
by proper direction on the meter or kiosk.
D. Registration prima facie evidence of name of violator. In any prosecution
or proceedings hereunder, the registration plate or license plate
displayed on a motor vehicle shall constitute in evidence a prima
facie presumption that the registered owner of such vehicle was the
person who parked such vehicle at the place where such violation occurred.
E. Violations; overtime parking.
(1) No owner or operator shall cause, allow, permit or suffer any vehicle
registered in the name of or operated by such person to be parked
overtime, whether on a highway or in a parking lot, as is allowed
by a meter, kiosk or sign.
(2) Whenever a vehicle remains in a parking space for a period of one
hour after being cited for a violation of this Code of Ordinances,
it may also be cited additionally each one-hour period for overtime
parking and the violator shall be subject to fines and penalties as
provided for in this Code of Ordinances.
F. Deposit of additional payment. No person may deposit in any street
or curb parking meter any coin, cash, credit or debit payment for
the purpose of parking beyond the maximum legal parking time for the
particular parking meter or kiosk coverage location or area or zone.
G. Improper parking. No person shall park any vehicle, whether on a
highway or in a parking lot, across any line designating a parking
meter space or nonmetered space. The vehicle shall be in such position
that it is entirely within a space designated by such lines or markings.
Vehicles parked on Main Street shall be positioned within the lines
so that the right front wheel shall be within a distance of not more
than 12 inches from the curb. In addition, no vehicle shall be parked
so that the vehicle is backed into the stall, whether on a street
with diagonal parking stalls or in a parking lot. No person shall
park any vehicle in front of, or so as to obstruct or interfere with
the ingress to or egress from, any private driveway or alley, except
with the permission of the owner of such driveway or alley.
H. Tampering, etc., with meters or kiosks and/or signs. No person shall
deface, injure, tamper with, open or willfully break, destroy, or
impair the usefulness of any parking meter or kiosk and/or sign.
I. Depositing slugs or substitutes. No person shall deposit or cause
to be deposited in any parking meter or kiosk any slug, device or
metal substance or other substitute for lawful coins.
J. Enforcement; report required. It shall be the duty of the Police
Department and Parking Division and its officers, personnel and any
other legally appointed person to enforce this section for the parking
of a vehicle, using the technologies and facilities of the Parking
Division. It shall be the duty of enforcing officers to issue a ticket
with the following information to report the following:
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(1) The number of the parking meter which indicates that the vehicle
occupying the parking space is or has been parking in violation of
any of the provisions of this section.
(2) The state license and registration number of such vehicle.
(3) The date and time such vehicle is parked in violation of this section.
(4) Any other facts concerning such violation.
K. Notice to be attached to vehicle parked in violation; contents of violation ticket/notice. The enforcing officer as provided in Subsection
J shall attach to such vehicle a violation ticket/notice containing the information required by Subsection
J, addressed to the owner or operator thereof, that such vehicle has been parked in violation of parking rules and regulations and shall instruct such owner or operator that payment of such sum or sums as prescribed on such violation ticket/notice shall be made, either by mail, in person or by utilizing other available technologies, to the Parking Division or to such person and place as may be designated on such violation ticket/notice. Any disputes or appeals with respect to said violation ticket/notice must be made to the Parking Division within seven calendar days of the date on the violation ticket/notice. If an appeal or dispute is filed within seven calendar days as set forth herein, any penalties or payments shall be placed on hold until a decision is issued by the Parking Division or its designee.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
L. Rates.
(1) Street side parking meters: $1 per hour; $0.20 for 12 minutes; $0.10
for six minutes; maximum of three hours per day. These parking rates
will vary based on use of mobile technology or payment kiosks.
(2) Metered lots.
(a)
All individual space/stall meters or self-service multi-space
meters within any publicly utilized, administered or municipally owned
lot:
[1]
Lot A (Washington and Broad Street): $1 per hour, maximum of
10 hours per day.
[2]
Government Square Municipal Garage (a.k.a. Court Street, Arcade
or Riverview Lot): $1 per hour.
[3]
Melilli Plaza Lot (Melilli Plaza Drive): $1 per hour.
[4]
Lot B (a.k.a. Main and Liberty Street Lot): $1 per hour, maximum
of three hours per day.
[5]
Broad Street Russell Library Lot: $1 per hour, maximum of three
hours per day.
[6]
Kings Avenue Lot (Kings Ave): $1 per hour, maximum 10 hours
per day.
[7]
Green Street Lot (A and B): $1 per hour, maximum of three hours
per day.
[8]
Harbor Park and River Road Lots: $1 per hour, maximum of three
hours per day.
(b)
Publicly utilized, administered or municipally owned lots:
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
[1]
Should offer a grace period after the purchase of metered time
for all stalls/spaces within a municipal lot to support and encourage
commerce and utility by patrons. The feasibility and length of any
such grace period will be determined by the City Parking Division.
(c)
Patrons of publicly utilized, administered or municipally owned
lots, who either park beyond their purchased time will receive a parking
violation/citation for overtime parking through the enforcement of
the Parking Division.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(d)
All other City or state time, place and manner restrictions
of parking and any associated fees and penalties apply and are enforceable
within all publicly utilized, administered or municipally owned lots.
(3) Permit parking programs.
(a)
Commerce parking permits. City commerce parking permits may
be sold for usage in any municipal lot or municipal garage to support
commerce and utility as deemed necessary and feasible by the Director
of Economic and Community Development or his or her designee. Permits
may be purchased monthly, quarterly or annually.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
[1]
Purchase of commerce program parking permits will be $75 per
month, $225 quarterly or $900 annually, per permit.
[2]
Commerce permit issuance is not to exceed 15% of a specific
lot's capacity so as to preserve municipal lot or municipal garage
availability for the general public.
[3]
Commerce program parking permits must be clearly displayed within
the vehicle for each appropriate, assigned or limited parking area.
Permits issued will be for a specific lot only and cannot be used
for another lot. The Parking Division will issue quarterly, annual,
or monthly permits and collect the applicable fee for the above-listed
lots.
[4]
The City through the Parking Division reserves the right to
revoke any issued permit for abuse, fraud or violation of applicable
Connecticut State Statutes or any City parking ordinances or regulations
(b)
Overnight visitor parking permits. Overnight visitor parking
will be permitted in locations and lots as determined by the Director
of Economic Development or his or her designee or unless otherwise
prohibited by posting. All overnight visitor parking must be by preissued
permit only by the Parking Division. Permits are not transferable
between registered vehicles.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
[1]
Visitor overnight parking permits can be issued for no more
than seven consecutive calendar days.
[2]
Overnight visitor permits are valid for 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Overnight visitor parking permits will be sold through the City's
Parking Division for $10 per registered vehicle per evening.
[3]
The City through the Parking Division reserves the right to
revoke any issued permit for abuse, fraud or violation of applicable
Connecticut State Statutes or any City parking ordinances or regulations.
(c)
Downtown residential parking permit program. Downtown Middletown
residents may obtain downtown resident parking permits from the Director
of Economic and Community Development or his or her designee.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
[1]
Quarterly permits will be sold for $150 per permit or annually
for $600 with one-time advance annual payment.
[2]
Downtown resident parking permits may be sold for usage in specific
municipal lots or municipal garages to support downtown residential
parking needs and utility as deemed necessary and feasible by the
Director of Economic and Community Development or his or her designee.
[3]
Downtown resident parking permits must be clearly displayed
within the vehicle for each appropriate, assigned or limited parking
area. Permits issued will be for a specific lot only and cannot be
used for another lot.
[4]
Downtown resident parking permit issuance is not to exceed 15%
of a specific municipal lot's capacity so as to preserve municipal
lot or municipal garage availability for the general public. If the
15% cap is to be exceed, such determination must be made by the Director
of Economic and Community Development or his/her designee and must
be reported to the Parking Advisory Committee and must obtain approval
from the Mayor and by approved resolution from the Common Council.
[5]
To be eligible for this program an individual must be a "downtown
resident" as defined as an individual living within the downtown parking
district.
[6]
In order to obtain a permit, the individual must present his/her
valid driver's license and valid vehicle registration.
[7]
The City through the Parking Division reserves the right to
revoke any issued permit for abuse, fraud or violation of applicable
Connecticut State Statutes or any City parking ordinances or regulations.
(d)
Prohibition on permits for commercial vehicles. Vehicles used
for commercial purposes, or any vehicle which is larger than 21 feet
in length, seven feet in width, and seven feet in height and which
have more than two single-tired wheels on the front axle and more
than two single-tired or double-tired wheels on the rear axle, are
not eligible for parking permits. Motor trucks, luxury limousines,
motor buses, motor delivery wagons, trailers, semitrailers, camping
trailers, motor homes, mobile homes and tractors are not eligible
for parking permits.
(4) Exemptions to rates.
(a)
Rates shall not apply during times of emergency parking bans,
winter snow bans, special events as designated by the City or as deemed
administratively necessary by the Parking Division.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(b)
Other parking contracts for permit parking as negotiated by
the City may override specific lot permit fees.
(5) Special event or flat rates. The Director of Economic and Community
Development or his or her designee, upon written approval from the
Mayor, may set flat fees for special event parking, designated lot
location parking or special evening flat fees on an as-needed basis.
Any such flat fee determination for a specific event, location or
duration of time is not to exceed $20 without the approval of the
City
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
M. Workforce parking program. Program provides for discounted parking
permits for employees of the downtown area for pre-qualified employees
earning less than $31,000/year (adjusted income) as verified upon
presentation of payroll documentation from an individual's place of
employment to the Parking Division, $2.50 per shift (up to eight hours).
Discounted permit fee will be $50 per month for qualifying employees
per day at designated off-street parking locations.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
[Added 6-6-1988]
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions
herein, and any person who aids, abets, or assists therein, shall
be subject to the penalties as set by ordinance or ordinances of the
Common Council.
[Added 6-6-1988]
No hedge, shrubbery, fence, or any other obstacles
other than an existing building or a natural earth embankment shall
be maintained or permitted at a height of more than 2 1/2 feet
above the pavement grade on that portion of any lot commencing at
the corner point of a street right-of-way line at a corner lot and
running in either direction along the street lines for a distance
of not less than 25 feet and within the triangle thus formed by both
street lines and a line connecting the above-mentioned termini of
both street lines.
[Added 6-6-1988; amended 5-7-2007 by Ord. No. 07-07; 11-5-2007 by Ord. No. 34-07; 5-2-2016 by Ord. No. 09-16]
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle,
except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance
with law or the direction of a police officer or traffic control device,
in any of the following places:
A. The following shall be $15 parking violations:
(2) Obstructing a public or private driveway.
(4) Within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
(5) Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon,
stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a highway.
(6) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within
30 feet of points on a curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety
zone, unless the Traffic Authority has indicated a different length
by signs or markings.
(7) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing
unless otherwise signed by the Traffic Authority.
(9) Alongside or opposite any highway excavation or obstruction
when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic.
(11)
More than 12 inches from the curb.
(12)
Within 25 feet of a highway corner or intersection.
(14)
In a loading zone reserved for commercial use
and/or City of Middletown without commercial or combination registration.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(15)
In a parking stall operated by the City of Middletown
when parking in a manner so as to occupy more than one space.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
(16)
Wrong way on highway against the flow of traffic.
(18)
U-turn on Main Street between Pleasant and Washington
Streets.
(19)
Backing into parking spaces, whether on a highway
with diagonal parking stalls or in a parking lot.
(20)
On the highway side of any vehicle stopped or
parked at the edge or curb of a highway (double parked).
(21)
At any place where official signs prohibit stopping
or parking or where the curbing is painted yellow.
(22)
Left turn into parking stalls on Main Street
between Pleasant and Washington Streets.
B. The following shall be $25 parking violations:
(1) Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire
station and on the side of the street opposite the entrance of any
fire station within 75 feet of such entrance (when properly sign-posted).
(2) In monthly parking lots owned or operated by the City
of Middletown without a valid permit or any area where it is posted
restricted parking and/or permit required.
(3) Parking in a designated fire lane (§
285-7 of this chapter).
(4) Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
C. The following shall be $150 parking violations:
(1) Parking in areas reserved for individuals with disabilities (§
285-2 of this chapter).
(2) Parking in violation of an emergency parking ban.
(3) Parking in violation of a winter parking ban.
D. The following shall be fifteen-dollar parking violations:
(4) Parking in violation of the Sweeping Parking Ban (§
262-44 of the Middletown Code of Ordinances).
E. The following shall be $10 parking violations:
(1) Parking overtime in metered and nonmetered spaces.
[Amended 10-6-2003; 5-7-2007 by Ord. No. 10-07; 5-2-2016 by Ord. No. 09-16]
A. Penalties for violations of this article are as follows:
(1) A fine of $15 for a violation of any §
285-20A parking regulation.
(2) A fine of $25 for a violation of any §
285-20B parking regulation.
(3) A fine of $150 for a violation of any §
285-20C parking regulation.
(4) A fine of $15 for a violation of any §
285-20D parking regulation.
(5) A fine of $10 for a violation of any §
285-20E parking regulation.
B. Payment is deemed to be made on the date it is postmarked
if such payment is paid by regular mail. Payment is also deemed to
have been made when such payment is made in person at the Parking
Division office or when received by telephone to the Parking Division
or through other electronic payment methods like web portals or by
mobile payment applications to Parking Division staff.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
C. If the penalties are not paid within seven calendar
days of issuance of the citation, the original fine doubles. If the
original fine and any associated penalty remain unpaid after 21 calendar
days after the date of original issuance, then said original fine
and any associated penalties will double again. As exceptions to the
above, all disabled parking citations, winter snow ban parking citations
and emergency parking ban citations whose original fines are valued
at $150 will double only after 21 calendar days of issuance.
D. If the fines and penalties as herein set forth are
not paid within 30 days, the City of Middletown may pursue further
action as provided by the Connecticut General Statutes and the City
of Middletown Code of Ordinances.
E. If the vehicle is removed or immobilized, the appropriate
fine for the class of violation must be paid together with any other
charges prior to the release of the vehicle.
F. A dispute as to the citation(s) must be made in writing
to the Parking Division within seven calendar days of the date of
issuance. A claim of dispute shall be deemed to be made by the date
it is postmarked or received in person or by other electronic technologies
by the Parking Division.
[Amended 6-7-2021 by Ord. No. 14-21]
[Added 11-1-2004 by Ord. No. 14-04]
A. Scope. The provisions of this section shall apply
to any person who operates a motor scooter, minibike, or pocket bike,
as defined in this section, on any portion of any public street, including
the sidewalk area of any such street, or on any other public property,
including but not limited to schools, playgrounds, parks, and parking
lots within the City of Middletown.
B. Definitions. Motor scooters, minibikes, and pocket
bikes shall mean any wheeled vehicle device designed for the transport
of one or more persons which is powered by any type of motor except:
(1) Any "motorcycle" or "bicycle with a helper motor,"
as defined by state statute.
(2) Any vehicle registered as a motor vehicle by the registrar
of motor vehicles or lawfully exempt from such registration.
(3) Any wheelchair by a person with physical disabilities,
or any similar mobility-assisting device used by a person whose ambulatory
mobility has been impaired by age, illness or physical ailment.
(4) Any self-propelled snowplows, snowblowers and lawn
mowers when used for the purposes for which they were designed and
operated at speeds not exceeding four miles per hour.
(5) Any moped or scooter which meets Federal Department
of Transportation and State Department of Transportation guidelines
for on-road transportation and whose owner's manual specifically indicates
an ability to be driven on public roads.
(6) Any vehicle owned or leased by the City of Middletown.
(7) Any vehicle used by a municipal, state or federal
employee in the performance of his official duties.
C. Penalty.
(1) Any person who operates any motor scooter, minibike,
or pocket bike as defined in this section on any portion of any public
street, including the sidewalk area of any such street, or on any
other public property, including but not limited to schools, playgrounds,
parks, and parking lots within the City of Middletown shall be fined
not more than $90 for each offense.
(2) Whenever a police officer observes any person in violation
of this section, he or she may remove such vehicle to a secure area
pending a disposition of such property by court order or otherwise
by law.