[HISTORY: Adopted by the Commission of the Town of Cottage City as Ch. 9 of the 2007 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 3-13-2019 by Emergency Ord. No. 2019-01]
No person shall allow, permit or suffer any vehicle registered in his name to operate, stand or park in any public place or street in the Town of Cottage City in violation of any of the ordinances, signs or local laws of the Town regulating public places, traffic or the standing and parking of vehicles, nor shall any vehicles be so operated, placed, or parked by anyone.
Any vehicle found standing or parked in violation of such ordinance or local law in a public place or street, may be removed, towed or conveyed by, or at the direction of a member of the police force, to a vehicle pound designated by the Chief of Police and such removal shall be deemed the abatement of a nuisance and at the risk and expense of the owner or person entitled to possession of such vehicle. The Chief of Police may store said vehicles in designated vehicle pounds or other suitable places at the risk and expense of the owner or person entitled to possession hereof. Such owner or person entitled to possession of the vehicle shall pay to the vehicle pound the amount of all expenses actually and necessarily incurred in effecting such removal, together with any charges for storage. The Town shall be deemed a creditor of such owner or person entitled to possession and shall have a lien against such vehicle for the amount of expense so incurred. The Town may maintain an action against the owner or owners, the person who parked said vehicle or any of them, to recover the amount of the lien in a civil action as a penalty for violation of § 9-1 of this chapter.
If no bids are received at the public sale hereinbefore authorized, the Chief of Police may remove, destroy and break up or otherwise dispose of such vehicle without liability or damages to the owner thereof, or to any person having or claiming any interest therein. The Town shall be deemed a creditor of such owner or person entitled to possession thereof, and any other person violating this chapter or local laws, for the amount of the expenses for such removal, advertisement, sale, destruction and disposal, and may maintain a civil action against them, or any of them, to recover the same as a penalty for violation of §§ 9-1 and 9-2 of this chapter.
[Amended 3-13-2019 by Emergency Ord. No. 2019-01]
The Cottage City Commission is hereby authorized to erect such signs, traffic control devices and notices regarding parking and traffic for the common good. The order to take such action shall be issued by ordinance or written resolution and said ordinance or resolution or a fair summary thereof shall be published in the Town newsletter or a newspaper of general circulation in the Town.
A. 
It shall be unlawful to park or leave standing any commercial vehicle, as hereinafter defined, upon any public street in a residential zone within the Town of Cottage City for a period in excess of two hours between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. A commercial vehicle is any vehicle which either:
(1) 
Has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight specification exceeding 7,500 pounds; or
(2) 
Contains advertising lettering exceeding four inches in height; or
(3) 
Has in excess of 300 cubic feet of load space; or
(4) 
Is a stake platform truck; or
(5) 
Is a dump truck; or
(6) 
Is a crane or tow truck; or
(7) 
Is a vehicle with dual rear wheels; or
(8) 
Is a truck of any kind having a capacity of more than 3/4 of a ton.
B. 
However, the Police Department shall grant an exception for a household for parking a consumer vehicle for recreation purposes unless it is determined by the Chief of Police, or his designee, that the parking of that vehicle will restrict traffic flow on the street or be a danger to the public. The Police Department shall grant the permit subject to the above conditions, for a period not to exceed 15 days in any calendar year.
C. 
A consumer vehicle, for recreation purposes, includes but is not limited to camping trailers, campers, and motor homes.
D. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle nearer than 20 feet of any STOP or SLOW-SCHOOL sign, or nearer than 15 feet of any fire hydrant, or nearer than 20 feet of any street intersection in the Town of Cottage City.
E. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle and leave the same standing unattended to a greater distance from the curb than 12 inches.
F. 
Except while actually loading or unloading, it shall be unlawful to double park on the streets any vehicle.
G. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on the street, avenue or alley, or part thereof where an official sign or device has been placed showing that parking is prohibited or restricted.
H. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle on the shoulders of the west side of Bladensburg Road between the highway bridge and the south boundary of the property occupied by the Reagan Outdoor Advertising Company.
I. 
It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle in or on any street, avenue, or alley in the Town of Cottage City in such a manner as to obstruct or to prevent passage over and upon any private driveway or private vehicle entrance connecting said street, avenue or alley with the private property or real estate abutting said street, avenue or alley.
J. 
No automobile or vehicle of any description shall be left unattended, parked or stored upon any street, avenue, road, highway or alley or public space within the corporate limits of the Town of Cottage City, Maryland for a continuous period longer than 72 hours.
K. 
It shall be unlawful to park an automobile or motor vehicle at any place in the Town unless such vehicle is in compliance with the vehicle registration or nonresident permit requirements of § 13-402.1 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Enforcement for violation of the provisions of this section shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified by the Chief of Police.
L. 
It shall be unlawful to park or leave standing any cargo trailer, as hereinafter defined, upon any public street in a residential zone within the Town of Cottage City for more than one single continuous period not to exceed 24 hours duration in any given calendar month. Only one such temporary parking grace period shall be allowed during any given month of the year. A cargo trailer is any vehicle which is capable of being towed by a passenger or commercial motor vehicle and designed or used to store, haul, or transport merchandise, watercraft, freight, refuse, or other materials whether used for private or commercial purposes and all those vehicles which were converted from other uses for such purposes.
[Added 8-10-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]
It shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle so that any part of that vehicle is within the public sidewalk, including that portion of the sidewalk which crosses the driveway of any premises. This chapter does not prohibit parking in the driveway between the street and the sidewalk if such parking can be accomplished without any portion of the vehicle protruding onto any portion of the sidewalk.
A. 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is inoperable or not displaying a valid registration plate.
GARAGE
Any of the following if operated for commercial purposes:
(1) 
A parking place or establishment.
(2) 
A vehicle storage facility.
(3) 
An establishment for serving, repair or maintenances of vehicle.
INOPERABLE VEHICLE
Any vehicle that is not licensed for the current year as required by law or which exhibits any of the following characteristics:
(1) 
Cannot legally travel on a public street, including having a broken, damaged or missing windshield or other glass customary to the vehicle, fender, door, bumper, hood, wheel, steering wheel, or exhaust system;
(2) 
Lacking an engine or other means of power suitable to the design, one or more wheels, or other structural parts which renders the vehicle incapable of both forward and reverse movement in the manner for which it was designed;
(3) 
Has become a habitat for rats, mice, snakes, or any other vermin or insects; or
(4) 
Constitutes a threat to the public health and safety because of its defective or obsolete condition.
B. 
Restriction. No person or entity may allow or cause an abandoned vehicle to be:
(1) 
On public property for more than 48 hours.
(2) 
On private property without the permission of the owner or person in control of the property.
(3) 
On private property for more than 30 days with the knowledge and the consent of the owner or person in control of the property unless:
(a) 
The vehicle is totally housed within a building with walls and roof.
(b) 
The vehicle is undergoing repairs and the custodian has obtained an exemption from the Town administration.
(c) 
The vehicle is not required to be registered under the Maryland vehicle law and is operable.
(4) 
The vehicle is in a garage for more than 10 days after the garage keeper has given notice to the owner of the vehicle by registered mail, return receipt requested, to remove the vehicle, or after the period when, by contract, the vehicle was to remain in the garage.
C. 
Impoundment and disposal.
(1) 
The Police Department may take any abandoned vehicle into custody. For this purpose, the Police Department may use its own personnel, equipment and facilities or use other personnel, equipment and facilities for removing, preserving, storing and disposing of abandoned vehicles, all expenses, costs and debts arising from the impoundment of an abandoned vehicle will be the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle.
(2) 
The Police Department will dispose of impounded vehicles in accordance with the Maryland Vehicle Law.
(3) 
Before impounding a vehicle abandoned on private property as described in Subsection B(3) of this section, the last registered owner of the vehicle and the owner, agent or tenant of the property will be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, to remove the vehicle or to show cause why it should not be removed, unless the owner, agent or tenant has given prior written permission to remove the vehicle.
A. 
A vehicle may be impounded or attached if:
(1) 
It is parked unattended or found parked in violation of any traffic law, ordinance or regulation.
(2) 
It is disabled and is creating a traffic hazard.
(3) 
It is parked unattended and there are three or more outstanding Town parking violations, all of which were issued at least 30 days prior.
(4) 
It is parked on public or private property in violation of § 9-7.
B. 
A vehicle parked in violation of Subsection A of this section may be impounded or attached by:
(1) 
Towing or conveying the vehicle to a place of storage designated by the Chief of Police, and all expenses incurred in the impoundment will be the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle.
(2) 
Attaching an immobilized device (commonly called a "boot") to the vehicle, and all expense incurred for the attaching and detaching of the immobilizing device will be the responsibility of the owner of the vehicle.
C. 
Vehicles impounded or attached will not be released unless:
(1) 
All outstanding parking citations for the Town of Cottage City have been satisfied; and
(2) 
All expenses incurred by the Town for impoundment or attachment have been satisfied.
D. 
The expenses incurred for attaching and detaching the immobilizing device, the expenses of certified mail and/or newspaper publication and the man-hours expended will be set by the Chief of Police.
[Amended 8-24-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-02; 8-10-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05]
A. 
Penalties and administrative fees will be set by resolution of the Commission.
B. 
Fines and administrative fees.
(1) 
Payment of fines and administrative fees will be paid within 30 days after the citation is issued unless a timely election is made to stand trial regarding the citation.
(2) 
If payment is not received by the Town within 30 days (no timely election for trial having been filed), a warning letter will be sent to the last known registered owner of the vehicle.
(3) 
If payment is not received by the Town within 45 days after the citation has been issued (no timely election for trial having been filed), a late fee of $35 per citation will be assessed.
(4) 
Any vehicle which is impounded or attached will not be released until all fines, administrative fees and other related expenses are paid.
(5) 
Failure to pay a citation or to elect to stand trial within the set time parameters will result in a late fee in the amount of $35.
(6) 
If the vehicle is registered in the State of Maryland, it will be subject to the state's flagging programs until all fines, fees and expenses are paid.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle in or upon any of the streets or highways in the Town of Cottage City, except on Bladensburg Road, at a speed greater than 25 miles per hour.
B. 
At any street intersection in the Town of Cottage City, at which the Cottage City Commissioners have caused to be erected a STOP sign, all operators of vehicles shall come to a complete stop and shall not proceed to cross or enter such street intersection until a crossing or entry can be safely made; at any street intersection or other place in the Town of Cottage City at which the Cottage City Commissioners have cause to be erected a SLOW sign, or SLOW-SCHOOL sign, all operators of vehicles shall slow down and proceed into the intersection or along said street cautiously, with due regard for other vehicles or pedestrians in the said intersection or along or upon the said street.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle over any public highway or street in the Town of Cottage City recklessly or at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to the condition of said street or highway and the traffic thereon.
D. 
All motor vehicles when parked upon the public streets or highways in the Town of Cottage City shall be parked near the curb on the right side of the street facing the direction in which said vehicle is traveling.
E. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any automobile or other vehicles across any street intersection in the Town of Cottage City which is controlled by a green light when the red light is showing against the traffic moving in the direction in which such vehicle is traveling.
F. 
Any ambulance, fire, police or emergency vehicle with its emergency equipment on shall have the right-of-way on all streets and avenues in the Town of Cottage City. All operators of vehicles, upon the approach of such emergency apparatus, shall immediately draw near to and parallel with the curb and stop.
G. 
It shall be unlawful to drive any vehicle upon or over the curb and/or sidewalk except at alleys and designated driveway crossings, except emergency or Town maintenance vehicles.
H. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride any bicycle or motorcycle or skateboard upon any sidewalk within the corporate limits of the Town of Cottage City; provided this section shall not be construed to prohibit small children from riding tricycles or other light toy vehicles upon the sidewalks.
I. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a skateboard on any of the streets or public property of the Town of Cottage City. The police of the Town of Cottage City shall have the authority to confiscate temporarily or permanently any vehicle or skateboard operated in violation of Subsections H and I of this section.
J. 
Between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise, it shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle upon the streets of the Town of Cottage City without having the same equipped with a light in front and a light or reflecting jewels in the rear.
K. 
All vehicles emerging from alleys, garages, driveways or places of business shall stop and then allow the right-of-way to pedestrians or passing vehicles before crossing the sidewalk.
L. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any vehicle with cleats or cleated wheels over any of the streets or highways of the Town of Cottage City.
M. 
It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle on Parkwood Street between 38th Avenue and 40th Avenue on weekdays in the Town of Cottage City in a northerly direction between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and in a southerly direction between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
N. 
Except for school buses, it shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle on 43rd Avenue between Bladensburg Road and Bunker Hill Road on weekdays in a northerly direction between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
[Added 3-13-2019 by Emergency Ord. No. 2019-01]
O. 
It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle on Bunker Hill Road between 40th Place and Parkwood Street on weekdays in an easterly direction between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and in a westerly direction between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
[Amended 3-13-2019 by Emergency Ord. No. 2019-01]
It shall be unlawful to operate at any time upon any public street or alley in the Town of Cottage City any truck or other motor vehicle, except passenger buses, having a gross weight in the excess of 10,000 pounds unless the same is being operated to or from a bona fide destination within the Town of Cottage City at which all or part of its load is to be or was loaded or unloaded, or unless permission shall have been obtained for such operation from the Commissioners, or for operation on any particular day from any member of the Town Police; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall apply to such operation on the public highways of the State of Maryland located within the Town of Cottage City.
[Amended 3-13-2019 by Emergency Ord. No. 2019-01]
It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or injure or molest any of the equipment, devices, painted curbs or signage connected with the traffic control devices or a traffic signal system in the Town of Cottage City.
[Amended 8-10-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-05, 3-13-2019 by Emergency Ord. No. 2019-01; 7-10-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]
A. 
Unless otherwise provided, any person or persons who shall fail to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order or regulation made under this chapter, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined as follows for each offense.
Violation
Provision
Fine
(1)
No parking zone
§ 9-5G
$35
(2)
Handicap
§ 9-12F
$250
(3)
Drive or parked over curb or sidewalk
§ 9-6 and § 9-8G
$50
(4)
Parked left wheel to curb
§ 9-8D
$35
(5)
Parked >12 inches from curb
§ 9-5E
$50
(6)
Parked in fire lane
§ 9-5G
$100
(7)
Parked within 15 feet of fire hydrant
§ 9-5D
$50
(8)
Parked in excess of 72 hours
§ 9-5J
$35
(9)
Failure to obey sign (parking)
§ 9-5G
$35
(10)
Failure to park in designated space
§ 9-5H and I
$35
(11)
Parked within 20 feet of stop sign
§ 9-5D
$50
(12)
Parked within 20 feet of intersection
§ 9-5D
$50
(13)
Parked obstructing traffic
§ 9-5I
$50
(14)
Abandoned vehicle on private property
§ 9-7B
$35
(15)
Commercial vehicle in residential zone
§ 9-5A
$35
(16)
Displaying expired tag/improper tag
§ 9-5K
$35
(17)
Abandoned or unregistered vehicle
§ 9-7B
$35
(18)
Vehicle left abandoned on public property (> 48 hours)
§ 9-7B
$35
(19)
All other violations of Chapter 9 except as otherwise specified herein
Ch. 9
$35
B. 
Moving violations. Any moving violations of this chapter, shall be cited using the Maryland Uniform Complaint and Citation Form, and upon conviction, shall be fined and/or penalized in accordance with the schedule of fines and penalties determined by the state and set out in a document prepared by the Chief Administrative Judge of the District Court of Maryland and referred to as the "Schedule of Preset Fines and/or Penalty Deposits," as such document (Form #DC-CR-090) may be amended from time to time. Except for traffic control signal monitoring system violations as defined in § 21-202.1 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, a moving violation is any violation of this chapter committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is being operated or is in motion at the time of the infraction, or as otherwise defined pursuant to § 11-136.1 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland Annotated Code and any regulations adopted by the State Highway Administration for the purpose of assessing points under § 16-402 of the Maryland Transportation Article.
C. 
The Cottage City Commission is authorized to change, amend or modify any individual fine or fee or any fine or fee schedule for violations prescribed by this chapter by written resolution provided said resolution is published at least 30 days in advance in the Town newsletter or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Town.
[Added 11-12-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
A. 
An individual who possesses a vehicle having a valid special disability registration plate or who has a valid disability parking placard, and who resides at a location on a Town street that does not have a driveway or other off-street parking, may apply to the Town for the designation of a handicap parking space for that individual's exclusive use in close proximity to the individual's residence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, not more than one handicap parking space may be designated for any particular residence.
B. 
The Cottage City Chief of Police shall prescribe the form of the application, which shall include an oath. The application shall contain such information, and shall be accompanied by such documentation as the Chief reasonably shall prescribe. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $50.
C. 
The Chief of Police shall approve the application if the application and supporting documentation demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the requirements of Subsection A and that the designation of a space at the requested location will not violate existing parking restrictions or otherwise present a potential hazard to public safety.
D. 
An individual whose application has been approved shall certify annually to the Chief of Police, under oath, on a form prescribed by the Chief that the individual continues to satisfy the requirements of Subsection A.
E. 
After the Chief of Police approves an application submitted under Subsection A, the Town shall erect appropriate signage restricting parking in a designated parking space to vehicles bearing special disability registration plates, or a disability parking placard, issued to the applicant.
F. 
An individual may not stand or stop a vehicle in a designated and restricted parking space unless the vehicle bears special disability registration plates, or a disability parking placard, issued to the applicant.