[Amended 12-18-1997; 7-20-2000; 11-1-2001; 10-2-2003; 11-20-2025 by Ord. No. 25.331]
No person shall allow, permit or suffer any vehicle registered in his name to stand or park in any street, way, highway, road or parkway under the control of the City in violation of any of the traffic rules or orders adopted by the City Council and in particular in any of the following places except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic sign or signal:
A. 
Within an intersection except within those intersections where the installation of parking meters has been specifically approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works.
B. 
Upon any sidewalk.
C. 
Upon any crosswalk or within 10 feet of either side of a crosswalk.
D. 
Upon the roadway in a rural or sparsely settled district.
E. 
Upon a roadway where parking is permitted unless both wheels on the right side of the vehicle are within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, except upon those streets which are designated as one-way streets. On such one-way streets vehicles shall be parked in the direction in which such vehicle is moving and with both wheels within 12 inches of the curb. This shall not apply to streets or parts of streets where angle parking is required by these regulations.
F. 
Upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and unobstructed lane at least 12 feet wide for passing traffic.
G. 
Upon any street or highway within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
H. 
Within three feet of a driveway. The three-foot distance shall begin at the point where the parallel edge of the driveway intersects at an angle of 90° with the roadway.
I. 
Upon any street or highway within 20 feet of an intersecting way, except alleys.
J. 
Within 15 feet of the wall of a fire station or directly across the street from such fire station, provided that signs are erected acquainting the driver with such restriction.
K. 
Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic.
L. 
Within 25 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing when there are no gates at such crossing, or otherwise within five feet from the gate.
M. 
On a bridge and the approach thereto.
N. 
In a prohibited zone as defined in § 312-1.
[Amended 9-21-1989]
No person shall park a vehicle upon any street or public parking lot in any service zone for a period of time longer than 30 minutes and except while actually engaged in the loading or unloading of commercial vehicles. Parking is restricted and limited as to time, space, type of vehicle (commercial) and activity (loading and unloading) in accordance with a schedule of on-street and off-street service areas designated as Schedule XVII in § 312-118, hereto appended to which reference is made and which Schedule XVII is specifically incorporated in this section.
A. 
The Transportation and Parking Commission shall recommend, for the City Council's approval, the streets and parking lots upon which diagonal parking will be permitted and shall cause such streets and parking lots to be designated by signs or the surfaces thereof to be marked by the Parking Division or DPW.
[Amended 4-19-2012]
B. 
Diagonal parking is permitted upon certain sections of a number of streets as designated in § 312-107, Schedule VI, hereto appended to which reference is made and which Schedule VI, relative to diagonal parking is herewith specifically incorporated in this section. Where such diagonal parking is permitted, vehicles shall be parked with one wheel within 12 inches of the curb and at the angle to the curb indicated by official marks and signs. The vehicle shall be parked so that all four wheels thereof shall be placed wholly within the area indicated for parking, and headed to the curb.
[Amended 12-20-1979; 9-18-1980; 2-19-1981; 12-2-1982; 11-20-1986; 11-19-1987; 10-15-1992; 10-7-1993]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
[Amended 2-1-2007]
SNOW EMERGENCY
A declaration by the Department of Public Works acting through the Director of Public Works that street conditions caused by winter weather require the imposition of a parking ban. A snow emergency shall include, but not be limited to, snowstorms, ice storms, drifting conditions, snow removal after a storm, or ice buildup.
WINTER PARKING SEASON
The period during which winter parking regulations will be in effect, beginning with the first declared snow emergency of any year and continuing until April 1 of the following year. However, a snow emergency may be declared by the Department of Public Works at any time subsequent to April 1 when weather conditions warrant.
B. 
Overnight parking, when prohibited. During the winter parking season, no person shall park any vehicle during a snow emergency on any street or municipal parking lot between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. except for the following:
[Amended 12-17-2015]
(1) 
No person shall park any vehicle during a snow emergency on Main Street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(2) 
Emergency situations involving medical, police or fire personnel.
(3) 
Armory Street Lot.
C. 
Overnight parking, when permitted. During the winter parking season, overnight parking will be allowed in those areas where it is allowed at other times of the year on days when no actual snow emergency exists.
D. 
Overnight parking, when permitted in certain municipal lots. During the winter parking season, overnight parking will be allowed in the following municipal parking lot subject to the limitations contained herein.
[Amended 10-20-1994; 11-7-2002]
Lot
Hours During Which Parking Is Not Permitted
Armory Street Lot
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
E. 
Penalties for violations.
(1) 
The owner of any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be fined the sum of $25 for each such violation. Each day a vehicle remains parked in violation of this section shall be considered a separate violation. This section may be enforced by noncriminal violation procedure under Chapter 40.
(2) 
During a snow emergency, any vehicle which is parked in violation of this section may be towed upon order of the Director of Public Works or the Police Department and the owner of said vehicle shall be responsible for the cost of said towing and any storage charges which may accrue.
F. 
Notice of snow emergency. After a snow emergency has been declared, notice shall be given to City residents of said emergency through all possible media, including but not limited to, announcements over local radio and television stations, including the local cable access channel.
G. 
Extension of winter parking season. A snow emergency may be declared by the Department of Public Works acting through the Director of Public Works at any time subsequent to April 1 when weather conditions warrant.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
H. 
Review of ordinance. If, at any time after passage of this section, the Department of Public Works determines that the provisions of this section impede, frustrate, or imperil cost-effective and efficient snow removal activities and formally notifies the City Council of that determination, the City Council shall take action to suspend or rescind this section. If this section is suspended or rescinded by the City Council, § 312-31 as it existed on October 14, 1992, shall be in effect until the suspension is lifted or a new ordinance is enacted.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
The provisions of § 312-31 and the parts of § 312-102 which 1) prohibit parking for longer than one hour between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day except Sundays and public holidays; 2) prohibit parking for longer than one hour between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and public holidays and extended to 9:00 p.m. on Fridays; and 3) prohibited parking for longer than one hour at any time, shall not apply to physicians' cars parked by them during their actual office hours, or while they are engaged in the actual performance of their duties.
A. 
The location of parking areas reserved for municipally owned or municipally operated motor vehicles shall be under the jurisdiction of the Finance Committee, who shall designate the areas, and arrange with the Parking Division to post proper signs, in accordance with Article III of this chapter, indicating that such areas are reserved for municipally owned or municipally operated motor vehicles. The enforcement of this section shall be under the jurisdiction of the Chief of Police.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
B. 
Parking in areas reserved for municipally owned or municipally operated motor vehicles will be permitted only within the designated and assigned areas. Parking is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Any vehicle found parked in violation of the provisions of this section may be moved by or under the direction of a police officer and at the expense of the owner, to a place where parking is permitted. The enforcement of this section shall be under the jurisdiction of the Police Department.
C. 
Location of reserved spaces.
[Amended 3-19-1981; 1-5-1995; 11-1-2012]
(1) 
Locations designated.
(a) 
The first parking space on Crafts Avenue closest to Main Street shall be reserved for the use of the Central Services Department.
(b) 
There shall be four spaces reserved for Building Department use located adjacent to the Municipal Building.
(c) 
The parking lot behind City Hall shall have seven spaces reserved for municipal use, beginning with the first space on the easterly side of the City Hall lot adjacent to the accessible space.
[Amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
(d) 
There shall be 10 spaces reserved for municipal use in the parking lot located adjacent to 240 Main Street (Memorial Hall).
(e) 
The Roundhouse Lot behind the Municipal Building shall have 10 spaces reserved for municipal use.
[Added 1-20-2022 by Ord. No. 22.003]
(f) 
The first two parking spaces on the northerly side of level one in the E.J. Gare parking garage shall be reserved for the use of Parking Enforcement.
[Added 5-2-2024 by Ord. No. 24.045]
(2) 
The reserved spaces listed in Subsection C(1)(c), (d), and (e) shall only be reserved Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. During all other times, these parking spaces shall be available to the public.[1]
[Amended 1-20-2022 by Ord. No. 22.003]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection (d), regarding parking in the Memorial Hall parking lot, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 1-5-1995.
D. 
The Center Street Lot adjoining 29 Center Street shall be reserved for the sole use of the Police Department, and posted as such.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
[Amended 12-18-1997]
A. 
Parking is prohibited, restricted or limited as to time, space and streets in accordance with a schedule of streets designated as Schedules I through VII in §§  312-102 through 312-108, hereto appended to which reference is made and which schedules are specifically incorporated in this section. No operator shall park a vehicle in the designated prohibited locations or in the restricted locations for a period longer than is designated in Schedules I through VII, except as otherwise provided in these schedules, or where there is a time limit as to parking.
B. 
Each subsequent hour a vehicle remains parked in a prohibited zone (as defined in § 312-1), located within the Central Business District, after the issuance of a violation notice (parking ticket), shall constitute a new and separate violation.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
A. 
No person shall park for a period of time longer than is designated in Subsection E(1) below between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on all days except Sunday and days otherwise excepted by provisions of law and legal holidays. The above shall not apply to the Downtown E. John Gare Parking Garage and the Gothic Street Parking Garage. Parking in the E. John Gare Garage shall be allowed for 24 hours per day seven days per week based on a fee and time limit to be found in Subsection E(1) below. Parking in the Gothic Street Garage shall be allowed based on the fee and time limits to be found below. Additionally, lots specified below may allow twenty-four-hour permits. Where "N/A" is indicated in the time limit field, parking by fee as specified in the table may occur for the duration of the day. Parking overnight is allowed only as specified in provisions elsewhere in these regulations. Vehicles shall not be parked in the same space for more than 72 hours even if paying the stipulated fee.
In accordance with the foregoing, parking time limits are hereby established in the streets or parts of streets or municipal off-street parking areas listed excepting therefrom such areas as are otherwise designated by ordinance, rule regulation or otherwise, such as no parking zones, taxi stands, bus stops, hotel and theater entrances, hydrants, corners, driveways, fire stations, crosswalks and funeral establishments.
[Amended 9-5-1985; 9-21-1989; 4-19-2012; 1-5-2023 by Ord. No. 22.159; 4-13-2023 by Ord. No. 23.279]
B. 
The Mayor may contract, in accordance with provisions of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, for the acquisition and installation of parking meters or other electronic parking management systems and to maintain such meters in good workable condition. Such contract shall provide among other things that payment thereof shall be made in accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 22A.
[Amended 1-5-2023 by Ord. No. 22.159]
C. 
The Parking Division is hereby authorized and directed to install parking meters or other parking fee collection systems within the areas described in this chapter or cause the same to be so installed. In areas where parking meters are used, meters shall be placed at intervals of not less than 20 feet apart except that beginning and ending spaces may be 18 feet and except where angle parking is permitted, and not less than 12 inches nor more than 24 inches from the face of the curb adjacent to individual meter spaces. Meters shall be so constructed as to display a signal showing legal parking upon the deposit therein of the proper coin or coins of the United States or by electronic payment as indicated by instructions on such meters and for such period of time as is or shall be indicated by meter legend. Such signal shall remain in evidence until expiration of the parking period designated at which time a dropping of a signal automatically or some other mechanical operation shall indicate expiration of such parking period.
[Amended 2-1-2007; 1-5-2023 by Ord. No. 22.159]
D. 
The Parking Division is hereby authorized and directed to establish parking meter spaces in such parking meter zones as are herein specified, or as may be hereafter fixed by amendment and to indicate the same by white markings upon the surface of the highway.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
E. 
Whenever any vehicle shall be parked adjacent to a parking meter, or within a zone where payment is required at a pay station, the owner or operator of such vehicle shall park within the space designated by pavement marking lines and, upon entering such space, shall immediately deposit in a meter, kiosk or electronic service the required coin or payment of the United States for the maximum legal parking period or any incrementally proportionate period thereof, both as indicated or shown on the meter and if so required set the mechanism in motion.
[Last amended 10-19-2023 by Ord. No. 23.387]
(1) 
The fees for maximum parking time in on-street parking zones and off-street parking areas by time span shall be as follows:
Class
Time Limit
Span
Fee
1A
N/A
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
$1.50 per hour, paid in $0.25 (10-minute) increments
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday - Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday
$2 per hour, paid in $0.25 (7.5-minute) increments
1B
N/A
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
$0.50 per hour, paid in $0.25 (30-minute) increments
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday - Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday
$1 per hour, paid in $0.25 (15-minute) increments
1C
2 hours
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
$0.25 per hour
1D
30 minutes
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
$0.25 per 1/2 hour
1E
4 hours
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
$0.25 per hour
1F
N/A
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday
$0.50 per hour, paid in $0.25 (30-minute) increments
1G
2 hours
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
$0.25 per hour
3C
N/A
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday
$0.25 per hour
3D
N/A
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday
$0.50 per hour
4A
Permit
N/A
$45 per month
4B
Permit
N/A
Fee waived
4C
Permit/24 hours, 7 days per week**
N/A
$45 per month
4D
Permit/overnight resident parking
12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., 7 days per week
$25 per year
5A
Permit (Gare Garage)
N/A
$110 per month
5B
Unlimited (Gare Garage)
N/A
Free for first hour; $0.75 for every hour after; $20 for lost ticket
5C
N/A
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Monday - Friday; all day Saturday
$0.75 per hour
6A
15 minutes
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday
Free parking
EV
Restricted to use by electric vehicle while charging. 24 hours, 7 days per week
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
$1.50 per hour, paid in $0.25 (10-minute) increments
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday - Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday
$2 per hour, paid in $0.25 (7.5-minute) increments
EV1
Restricted to use by electric vehicle while charging. 24 hours, 7 days per week
N/A
Free for first hour; $0.75 for every hour after; $20 for lost ticket
EV2
Restricted to use by electric vehicle while charging. 24 hours, 7 days per week
N/A
No charge
EV3
Restricted to use by electric vehicle while charging. 24 hours, 7 days per week
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday
$0.25 per hour
EV4
Restricted to use by electric vehicle while charging. 24 hours, 7 days per week
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday
$0.50 per hour
** Except during snow emergencies: See § 312-31.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit or cause to be deposited in a parking meter any coin for the purpose of permitting the vehicle of which he is in charge to remain in a parking space beyond the maximum period of time allowed in a particular zone.
(3) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle within a parking meter space unless such vehicle is wholly within the painted lines adjacent to such meter.
(4) 
Loss of ticket for Class 5B and EV1.
(5) 
Notwithstanding Subsection E of this section, the Mayor is authorized to develop regulations which set time limits and fees for the schedule in Subsection E(1) above. In accordance with City Charter § 10-4, these shall be filed with the City Clerk. Adjustments shall be made based on maintaining an average 85% occupancy rate as measured over a one-week period in the month of July and the month of December for spaces along Main Street, not to exceed a 100% increase. The Mayor shall submit reports to the Transportation and Parking Committee on July 30 and January 30 each year showing average occupancy for those time periods.
F. 
Operators of commercial vehicles may park in a metered space without depositing a coin for a period not to exceed 30 minutes for the purposes of loading or unloading. Parking in excess of this time limit without depositing the proper coin shall be deemed a violation of the provisions of this article.
G. 
The Parking Division Manager or designee is hereby designated as the person authorized to collect monies deposited in parking meters or to cause the same to be so collected. Such monies shall be deposited forthwith with the Treasurer in a separate account to be known as the "Parking Meter Fees Account."
H. 
The Parking Clerk or designee is hereby authorized to place upon or over parking meters, or cause to be so placed, no-parking hoods, so-called, whenever is his/her judgment the public interest so requires, the effect of which shall be prohibited parking in the area so designated except as authorized by order of the Parking Clerk or designee for the period during which no-parking hoods remain present. Whenever no-parking hoods, so-called, are placed upon or over parking meters at the request of a private individual, firm or corporation, except charitable or religious corporations, such private individual, firm or corporation shall deposit with the Parking Clerk or designee the sum of $25 for each no-parking hood placed upon or over the parking meters, and shall pay to the Parking Clerk or designee for the City the parking fee as indicated or shown on the meter for each hour during which a no-parking hood remains upon or over said meter. The $25 deposit shall be returned to the private individual, firm or corporation upon the return to the Parking Clerk of the no-parking hood in good condition.
[Amended 9-5-1985; 3-21-2002]
I. 
All fees received by the City Treasurer from the operation and use of parking meters shall be used as authorized by Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
J. 
It shall be the duty of parking enforcement officers and police officers to enforce the provisions of this section.
[Amended 3-21-2002]
K. 
Any person who violates any parking provision of this article shall be subject to the penalties provided by Chapter 90, § 20c, of the General Laws and any other violation shall be punishable as may be provided by law.
L. 
No driver, while operating any vehicle owned and operated indicia of ownership by the City, state or federal governments, shall be required to deposit any fee in a parking meter as provided in this section.
M. 
All other regulations or parts of regulations which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
N. 
Notwithstanding Subsection E of this section, for the period beginning on December 15 and ending on December 25 of any year, the Transportation and Parking Commission may, by majority vote, suspend all fees for parking at any on-street parking meter or in any off-street municipal parking lot (metered and computerized) for the entire period or any portion thereof. The provisions of Subsection A of this section and of § 312-109, Schedule VIII, and any other ordinance shall be suspended during such period if in conflict with the vote of the Transportation and Parking Commission. However, fees shall be charged in accordance with Subsection E for parking in the municipal parking garage during said period.
[Added 11-5-1992; amended 12-16-1993; 2-1-2007]
O. 
Notwithstanding Subsection E of this section, under special circumstances or in connection with a special event, the Transportation and Parking Commission, by majority vote, may alter the fee structure for the E. John Gare III Parking Garage for a period not to exceed five days. If collecting established fees is impractical due to repair or replacement of machine parts or infrastructure, the Mayor may temporarily alter fees for any municipal lot or metered space for a period not extending beyond the next City Council meeting, after which altered fees shall revert to original fees. The Mayor shall immediately write a letter to the City Council President explaining the reasons behind the alterations. The City Council may vote to extend, modify or reverse the alteration of fees at any time.
[Added 7-21-1994; amended 2-1-2007; 4-3-2014]
P. 
The Parking Clerk's Office is the issuing authority for official business parking placards (Class 4B) for use by City of Northampton municipal officials when conducting official business for the City of Northampton. Records of permit issuance will be maintained by the Parking Clerk's Office, and permits will be renewed on an annual basis.
[Added 8-16-2012]
Q. 
Notwithstanding other subsections of this section, the Mayor may lease parking spaces and associated signage to be dedicated to commercial car sharing services available to Northampton residents.
[Added 5-1-2014]
A. 
No person shall stop or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop.
B. 
No person shall park a bus upon any street within a business district at any place other than a bus stop when a nearby bus stop is available for use.
A. 
No person shall park a vehicle other than a taxicab upon any street within a business district in any taxicab stand except while actually engaged in loading and unloading, provided that such loading and unloading does not exceed a period of time longer than 1/2 hour.
B. 
No person shall park a taxicab upon any street within a business district at any place other than the taxicab stand or stands designated for the use of his taxicab or taxicabs except while engaged, or while waiting for an opportunity to use a taxicab stand designated for his use.
No person having charge of any vehicle shall leave such vehicle unattended for over five minutes within the limits of any private way or alleyway furnishing access to any part of a tenement house or apartment house as defined in Section 2 of Chapter 145 of the General Laws of the commonwealth, or to two or more dwelling houses, or to two or more buildings of any type in separate ownership so as to obstruct the free passage or use of any piece of fire apparatus or other vehicle used for services required in behalf of the public health, safety or morals, by or through such ways.
A. 
Authorized. It is hereby authorized that the Chief of the Northampton Police Department or such sergeants or other officers of higher rank in the Police Department as he may from time to time designate, to remove, to some convenient place through the agency of a person or persons in the employ of the Police Department or by an independent contractor any vehicle parked or standing on any part of any way under the control of the municipality in such a manner as to impede in any way the removal or plowing of snow or ice or in violation of any rule or regulation or ordinance which prohibits the parking or standing of all vehicles on such way or portions thereof at such time and recites that whoever violates it shall be liable to charges for the removal and storage of the vehicles as well as subject to punishment by fine.
B. 
Independent contractors. The Police Department shall have the duty to select independent contractors for towing vehicles as regulated by the State Department of Telecommunications and Energy.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
C. 
Liability for removal. The liability imposed for removal of vehicles under Subsection A shall be $25 and the liability for storage shall be $2 for any twenty-four-hour period, and $1.50 for any lesser period.
D. 
Signs. No rule, regulation, order, ordinance, or bylaw of the City of Northampton made or promulgated relative to, or in connection with signs indicating a tow zone in any way within its control shall take effect until approved in writing by the Department of Public Works or be effective after said approval is revoked (all in accordance with MGL c. 85, § 2).
E. 
Penalties. The penalty for parking in a tow zone shall be prescribed in accordance with § 312-99.
F. 
Exemptions. Vehicles owned by the commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof or by the United States or any instrumentality thereof or registered by a member of a foreign diplomatic corps or by a foreign consular officer who is not a citizen of the United States and bearing a distinctive number plate or otherwise conspicuously marked as so owned or registered, shall not, however, be subject to such removal.
G. 
Interpretation. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to restrict the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from regulating the towing of vehicles on state highways or state property located in the City of Northampton in accordance with the general laws as amended.
[Added 10-15-1981; amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
A. 
No person, other than a person who holds and displays an accessible parking plate or placard, shall stop or park a vehicle in a parking space designated as accessible parking. Violators will be towed. (See § 312-95I.)
B. 
Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to penalties as stated in § 312-99B(4).
C. 
On-street and off-street accessible parking spaces are established in accordance Schedule XVI in § 312-117, which Schedule XVI is specifically incorporated in this section.
D. 
"Accessible parking" shall be construed to mean parking spaces designed to comply with 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, as such standards may be amended from time to time.
E. 
The term "accessible parking plate or placard," as used in this section, shall be construed to mean a "disabled parking placard/plate" issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
[Added 2-18-1982; amended 4-15-1982; 3-21-2002; 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
A. 
Issuance of temporary accessible parking permit.
(1) 
The Parking Enforcement Administrator or designee is hereby authorized to issue a temporary accessible parking permit, valid for 90 days from the date of issuance, upon written proof from a physician that the person seeking to obtain the permit has a qualifying mobility impairment.
(2) 
The temporary accessible parking permit shall be displayed in the manner and place prescribed by the Parking Enforcement Administrator upon payment of such fee as the Parking Enforcement Administrator may establish.
B. 
"Mobility impairment" shall be construed to mean any person who is temporarily afflicted with a condition qualifying such person as a ''physically handicapped person'' as defined in Chapter 22, § 13A, of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended.
C. 
The temporary accessible parking permit shall permit the holder of such permit to park in any accessible parking areas located within the City of Northampton.
D. 
Extension of permit, renewal.
(1) 
Should the authorized holder of the temporary accessible parking permit seek an extension of said permit, such person must, on or before the date of expiration of the permit, request the Parking Enforcement Administrator or designee to renew the temporary accessible parking permit for another period of 90 days. Only one such extension shall be granted.
(2) 
The renewal of the temporary accessible parking permit shall be issued only if the applicant provides written proof from a physician that the applicant continues to have a qualifying mobility impairment.
E. 
Should the applicant be aggrieved by the decision of the Parking Enforcement Administrator or designee not to issue or renew the temporary accessible parking permit, the applicant may, within 10 days of the adverse finding, appeal, in writing, to the Hearing Officer, who shall, within 10 business days, review the appeal and, after hearing, either sustain the Parking Enforcement Administrator's decision or issue the permit.
[Added 11-4-1982; amended 2-1-2007; 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
Pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 21, any person or body that has lawful control of a public or private way or of improved or enclosed property used as off-street parking areas for business, shopping malls, theaters, auditoriums, sporting or recreational facilities, cultural centers, residential dwellings, or any other place where the public has a right of access as invitees or licensees shall reserve parking spaces in said off-street parking areas for any vehicle owned or operated by a person with disabilities whose vehicle bears the distinguishing license plate authorized by MGL c. 90 § 2.
Number of Parking Spaces
Handicapped Parking Spaces Required
15-25
1
26-50
2
51-75
3
76-100
4
101-150
5
151-200
6
201-300
7
301-400
8
401-500
9
501-1,000
2% of total
1,001 and over
20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000
[Added 11-4-1982; amended 12-3-2015; 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
Parking spaces designated as reserved under the provisions of § 312-44 shall be identified by the use of above-grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words "Handicapped Parking: Special Plate Required. Unauthorized Vehicles May be Removed at Owner's Expense"; shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway; shall be adjacent to curb ramps or other unobstructed methods permitting sidewalk access to persons with disabilities; and shall be 12 feet wide or two eight-foot-wide areas with four feet of cross hatch between them except at parallel parking locations; and shall be designated with the International Symbol of Accessibility parking space marking.
[Added 11-4-1982; amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
Pursuant to MGL, c. 40, § 21, unauthorized vehicles left within parking spaces designated for use by people with disabilities as authorized by § 312-45, or in such a manner as to obstruct a curb ramp designed for use by people with disabilities as a means of egress to a street or public way, is prohibited.
[Added 11-4-1982; amended 2-1-2007]
The penalty for violation of § 312-47 shall be in conformity with MGL c. 266, § 120D, and the schedule of City parking fines, Group D #25 set forth in § 312-99B(4).
[Added 5-2-2019 by Ord. No. 19.011]
For bicycle parking racks and spacing standards see § 350-8.11C.
A. 
Bicycles/scooters are permitted to park, in compliance with subsections herein, in the landscape/furniture zone, on a bicycle rack, or other facility specifically intended for that purpose.
B. 
Bicycles/scooters are not permitted to be parked at or adjacent to fire hydrants, benches, trees, trash receptacles.
C. 
Except when at designated bicycle racks, bicycles shall not be parked in the landscape/furniture zone adjacent to:
(1) 
Transit zones, including bus stops, shelters, passenger waiting areas and bus layover and staging zones;
(2) 
Loading zones;
(3) 
Accessible parking zone;
[Amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
(4) 
Curb ramps;
(5) 
Entryways;
(6) 
Driveways.
D. 
Bicycles/scooters shall not obstruct the pedestrian path of travel nor accessible wheelchair ramps nor access to street furniture such as benches, pay stations, bus shelters. A parked bicycle shall leave at least 36 inches of unobstructed travel along the pedestrian path.
[Amended 3-17-2022 by Ord. No. 21.355]
E. 
No motorized vehicles, except low speed electric bicycles as specified in § 312-78 shall be parked on a bicycle rack or other facility specifically designed and intended for bicycle parking.
F. 
Bicycles/scooters parked in violation of the above regulations may be tagged with a notice for removal and impoundment or may be removed by the City or its agent immediately for impoundment. Removed bicycles shall be held by the City for a minimum of 30 days.
G. 
A bicycle/scooter parked in accordance with this section that has one or more of the following defects may be tagged and removed after a period of two days and shall be held by the City for a minimum of 30 days:
(1) 
No tires or wheels;
(2) 
One or more warped wheels or frame;
(3) 
Missing, rusted or broken chain in such a state that renders the bicycle inoperative; or
(4) 
Missing or warped handle bars.
H. 
Fees for recovering impounded vehicles may be set by the City for up to a $100 per vehicle.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 312-49, Twenty-four-hour parking limit in municipal parking lots, added 3-1-1984, was repealed 10-1-2015.
[Added 10-15-1987; amended 11-17-1988; 12-20-1990]
A. 
Establishment of fire lanes, determination of location and size.
[Amended 12-2-1999]
(1) 
The Fire Chief shall establish fire lanes in accordance with the guidelines established in this section:
(a) 
Designation. The Fire Chief or his designee shall require and designate public or private fire lanes as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective use of fire apparatus. Fire lanes shall have a minimum width of 18 feet.
(b) 
Obstructions. Designated fire lanes shall be maintained free of obstructions and vehicles and marked in a manner approved by the Fire Chief or his designee.
(c) 
Maintenance. All designated fire lane signs or markings shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition by the owner of the property at all times and replaced when necessary to ensure adequate visibility.
(2) 
The establishment of fire lanes shall be reviewed and approved by the Public Safety Committee. These lanes shall be established within the limits of any way or in any place to which the public has access as invitees or licensees in order to permit access by fire apparatus or emergency vehicles. Such fire lane area shall extend from the curbline, sidewalk, or building wall adjacent to a way or place to which the public has access, and shall be laid out in accordance with the provisions of this section.
[Amended 2-1-2007]
(3) 
After lanes have been established and approved, notice about new fire lanes shall be forwarded by the Fire Chief to the Police Department and City Clerk. These fire lanes shall then be enforceable by the Police Department.
(4) 
The Fire Chief shall file an annual report on January 15 with the City Council giving a complete list of established fire lanes. This list shall also be sent by the City Clerk to the Police Department, Department of Public Works and Parking Clerk.
B. 
Markings.
(1) 
All no parking areas, fire travel lanes, and pavement markings shall be outlined with yellow paint. Diagonal lines extending from the curbing, sidewalk, or building eight feet in a double travel lane and four feet in a single travel lane shall be painted in yellow at two-foot intervals for the entire length of the fire lane.
(2) 
Directional arrows indicating the direction of travel within fire lanes shall be painted at each entrance to a fire travel lane and every 150 feet along the routes of the fire travel lanes. Each arrow shall be not less than 12 inches wide and six feet long. The Fire Chief may require that such directional arrows be painted at intervals of less than 150 feet if, in his judgment, public safety requires such shorter intervals.
(3) 
Where curbing or sidewalks are used as a boundary of a fire lane, a line six inches wide shall be painted with yellow paint along the entire edge of said curbing or sidewalk which is used as a boundary of the fire lane.
(4) 
The outline of a fire travel lane shall be painted with a yellow line not less than four inches wide. "NO PARKING - FIRE LANE" shall be painted in letters not less than 12 inches high at intervals of 150 feet on the pavement of the fire travel lane. If the fire travel lane is less than 150 feet in length, the Fire Chief shall determine where said notice shall be placed. The Fire Chief may require that such notice be painted at intervals of less than 150 feet if, in his judgment, public safety requires such shorter intervals.
(5) 
Upright signs, plainly visible, shall be posted long one edge of fire travel lanes at intervals of 50 feet. The bottom of said signs shall be at least eight feet above the pavement. They may be attached to existing posts or freestanding posts approved by the Fire Chief. Size, color, design, and wording of the signs will first be approved by the Public Safety Committee.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(6) 
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of record of the property to maintain all signs and pavement markings as required by this section in a clearly visible and legible condition. Pavement markings will be exempt for a reasonable period after any substantial winter storm.
C. 
Fines and penalties.
(1) 
Any owner, lessee, or tenant in control of any property on which the City Council has established fire lanes shall implement the plan for said fire lanes as designed and approved by the Fire Chief and Public Safety Committee within such time as the Fire Chief and Public Safety Committee shall require. If such owner, lessee, or tenant fails to implement said plan as required, said owner, lessee, or tenant shall be fined the sum of $100. Each day on which the failure to implement the plan continues shall be considered a separate violation.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(2) 
Any owner, lessee, or tenant in control of any property on which fire lanes have been established and implemented, who, upon being notified in writing by the Fire Chief that any markings or signs need to be repaired, repainted, or replaced, fails to carry out such repairs, repainting, or replacement, within 30 days of such notification, shall be fined the sum of $20. Each day on which the failure to repair, repaint, or replace continues shall be considered a separate violation.
(3) 
It shall be unlawful to obstruct or block any area designated as a fire lane with any vehicle or by any other means. The registered owner of any vehicle parked attended or unattended in violation of the provisions of this section shall be fined the sum of $15. In addition to any fine imposed hereunder for violation of this section, any vehicle parked in violation of the provisions of this section may be towed at the owner's expense.
D. 
Waiver of requirements Any owner, lessee, or tenant in control of any property on which the City Council has established fire lanes may request a waiver from any of the requirements of this section. Such request shall be made, in writing, to the Public Safety Committee, and shall specifically indicate the requirements for which the waiver is requested and the reasons therefor. The Fire Chief shall make a recommendation to the Public Safety Committee as to any such request. The Public Safety Committee may grant a waiver, to be reviewed in one year, provided that such waiver does not interfere with or defeat the purpose of this section. At the time of the one-year review, the Public Safety Committee may revoke the waiver if it feels that said waiver interferes with the provision of adequate access to fire and other emergency equipment.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
E. 
Fire lanes are established at the following locations:
[Added 8-19-1999]
(1) 
Building located at 180 North King Street.
(2) 
Bickford's Restaurant located at 162 North King Street.
(3) 
Big Y Supermarket located at 136 North King Street.
(4) 
Stop & Shop located at 228 King Street.
(5) 
Serv-U Store located at 366 King Street.
[Added 10-15-1992]
A. 
Any vehicle parked on any way in the City of Northampton in violation of § 312-31 of this chapter and/or any other ordinance, regulation, or emergency order related to snow plowing and snow removal operations may be removed from said way to some convenient place, including a public or private garage through the agency of a person or persons in the employ of the City or by an independent contractor.
B. 
The removal of said vehicle shall be authorized by any police officer of the rank of Sergeant, the Director of Public Works, the Assistant Director of Public Works, or the Superintendent of Streets. The owner of any vehicle so removed shall be responsible for the cost of such removal and of the storage charges, if any, resulting therefrom.
C. 
The owner of such vehicle may also be ticketed and subject to a fine in accordance with the procedures of MGL, c. 90, § 20A1/2 and all amendments thereto.