[Amended 6-15-1978]
For the purpose of this chapter the words and
phrases used herein shall have the following meanings except in those
instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Alternate side parking restrictions which are effective on
a year-round, twenty-four-hour-per-day basis. Each street shall have
a designated time that vehicles must be moved to the other side of
the street or must depart the area. There shall be no more than a
one-hour grace period in which parking will be allowed on both sides
of the way.
[Added 7-20-2000]
A parking meter space which is diagonal or perpendicular
to the curb of the roadway or lot berm.
The parking of a vehicle in an angle space in such a manner
that the vehicle is not within the lines designating the space, or
is parked at an angle to the curb different than that indicated by
official marks and signs, or is facing away from the curb.
An area in the roadway set aside for the boarding of or alighting
from and the parking of buses.
Any device that utilizes air compression and/or rapid release
of compressed air in the cylinders of gasoline- or diesel-powered
engines to slow or retard motor vehicle speed. Examples include, but
are not limited to, Jacobs Engine Brakes™, also known as "Jake
Brake™ Engine Retarders"; Pacbrake™ engine brakes; TecBrake™
engine brakes; and similar devices that meet the definition.
[Added 7-7-2011]
That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the
prolongation or connection of curblines and property lines at intersections,
or at any portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrians crossing
by lines on the road surface or by other marking or signs.
That portion of a curbing, the painting of which has been
authorized by the City Council, and which has the written approval
of the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A primarily human-powered or low speed electric stand-on
vehicle used by an individual for transportation. Referred to as e-scooter
or E-SMD.
[Added 5-2-2019 by Ord.
No. 19.011]
Vehicles of the Fire Department (fire patrol), police vehicles,
ambulances and emergency vehicles of federal, state and municipal
departments or public service corporations when the latter are responding
to an emergency in relation to the Police or Fire Department.
Any procession of mourners properly identified as such accompanying
the remains of a human body.
The area embraced within the extensions of the lateral curblines
or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines, of intersecting ways
as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, including divided ways. The
rules and regulations herein contained governing and restricting the
movement of vehicles at and near intersecting ways shall apply at
any place along any way at which drivers are to be controlled by traffic
control signals whether or not such place is an intersection as herein
defined.
The area of the public sidewalk along the street that is
designated for landscaping or street furniture. In the CB district,
this area is in the brick paver portion of the sidewalk.
[Added 5-2-2019 by Ord.
No. 19.011]
A longitudinal division of a roadway into a strip of sufficient
width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.
The parking of a vehicle in a parking meter space when the
meter registers violation either as a result of expiration of time
or failure to insert money. In the case of a meter, smartphone application
or mobile payment system utilizing pay-by-plate technology, failure
to enter the proper license plate number shall be a meter violation.
[Amended 12-5-2019 by Ord. No. 19.136]
The parking of a vehicle in a parking meter space in such
a manner that the vehicle is not within the lines designating the
space or is parked at an angle to the curb different than that indicated
by official marks and signs, or is facing in the wrong direction.
Any officer of the City Police Department or any officer
authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for the
violation of traffic regulations.
The parking of a vehicle in a parking meter space or in a
parking time zone or parking area for longer than the maximum amount
of time which is allowed in that space, zone or lot, whether or not
additional money has been inserted in a meter or whether or not an
additional parking pass has been purchased.
[Added 5-15-1997]
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise
than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in
loading or unloading, or in obedience to an officer or traffic signs
or signals, or while making emergency repairs or, if disabled, while
arrangements are being made to move such vehicle.
Any mechanical, electronic or electronic mechanical device,
or smartphone application or mobile payment system, not inconsistent
with the provisions of this regulation, and placed or erected or electronically
available on any public way or municipal off-street street parking
area within the City for the regulation of parking. In the case of
a parking meter head-type device, said device install shall indicate
by proper legend the legal parking time established by this regulation
and when operated shall at all times indicate the balance of legal
parking time permitted and at the expiration of such period shall
at all times indicate illegal or meter violation parking. In the case
of a meter utilizing pay-by-plate technology, when a parking receipt
is dispensed or other notice transmitted, said receipt or notice shall
indicate the date and time of expiration. An area in which an electronic
pay-for-parking device is located shall have appropriate posted notice
or signage to indicate the legal parking time established by this
regulation.
[Added 5-15-1997; amended 12-5-2019 by Ord. No. 19.136]
Any space within a parking meter zone, which is duly designated
for the parking of a single vehicle (except as noted below) by lines
painted on the surface of the street or municipal off-street parking
area. The City of Northampton authorizes the parking of more than
one motorcycle in a single parking space and will impose a penalty
on each motorcycle, for the full amount of the violation of an ordinance,
bylaw, order, rule or regulation related to the parking of vehicles
on ways within its control. No motorcycle shall be parked in such
manner so as to inhibit the means of egress of another motorcycle
currently parked in the same parking space. In no instance, shall
a motorcycle be allowed to share a common space with any other vehicle
other than a motorcycle in a duly designated parking meter space.
[Added 9-6-2001]
Includes any street or portion thereof or municipal off-street
parking area upon which parking meters are installed and in operation
and upon which parking of vehicles is permitted for a limited time
subject to compliance with the further provisions of this regulation.
Any person afoot or riding on a conveyance moved by human
muscular power, except bicycles or tricycles, as defined in Chapter
90, § 18A of the General Laws.
Includes any individual, firm copartnership, association
or corporation.
Any area or portion of the roadway of a street or highway
or any alley where a notice of the prohibition of parking is provided
by sign, marking or other appropriate designation; or any area within
a municipal parking lot, other than a marked or designated parking
space.
[Added 12-18-1997]
Any intersection of ways with a railroad right-of-way.
That portion of a street or highway between the regularly
established curblines or that part, exclusive of shoulders, improved
and intended to be used for vehicular traffic.
The counterclockwise operation of a vehicle around an object
or structure.
Any area or space set aside within a roadway for the exclusive
use of pedestrians and which has been indicated by signs, lines or
markings, having the written approval of the Department of Public
Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
An area in the roadway set aside for the accommodation of
commercial and transient vehicular traffic.
A human-powered or low speed electric vehicle for public
shared use to individuals on a short-term basis and may include bicycles,
scooters, Segways or similar devices.
[Added 5-2-2019 by Ord.
No. 19.011]
A service in which SMDs are made available for public, shared-use
to individuals on a short-term basis for a price or free. Services
can be provided either to/from a specified dock or station location
or may be dockless or free-floating.
[Added 5-2-2019 by Ord.
No. 19.011]
The entire width between property lines of every way open
to the use of the public for purposes of travel.
Any painted line, legend, marking or marker of any description
painted or placed upon any way which purports to direct or regulate
traffic and which has been authorized by the City Council and which
has the written approval of the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
An area in the roadway in which certain taxicabs are authorized
and required to park while waiting to be engaged.
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, street cars
or other conveyances either singly or together while using any street
or highway for the purpose of travel.
Any area along any way, other than an intersecting way, at
which drivers are to be controlled by traffic control signals.
Any device using colored lights which conforms to the standards
as prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated,
by which traffic may be alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
Any area or space set aside within a roadway, which is not
intended for use by vehicular traffic.
All signs, markings and devices, other than signals, not
inconsistent with these rules and orders, and which conform to the
standards prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and placed or erected by authority of a public body
or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of guiding, directing,
warning, or regulating traffic.
All signals, conforming to the standards as prescribed by
the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
not inconsistent with these rules and orders, placed or erected by
authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the
purpose of directing or warning traffic.
The turning of a vehicle by means of a continuous turn whereby
the direction of such vehicle is reversed.
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including bicycles
when the provisions of these rules are applicable to them, except
other devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary
rails or tracks and devices which derive their power for operation
from stationary overhead wires.
Any vehicle being used in the transportation of goods, wares
or merchandise for commercial purposes.
Any commercial vehicle of 2 1/2 tons capacity or over.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 312-2, Traffic ordinance
changes; duties of City Engineer, as amended, was repealed 12-4-2014.
No person shall operate or park a vehicle on
any street or highway for the sole purpose of displaying advertising
signs, without a permit from the Mayor.
