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City of Ralston, NE
Douglas County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
No person having control or charge of a motor vehicle shall allow such vehicle to stand unattended without first effectively setting the brakes thereon and, when standing upon any grade, without turning the front wheels of such vehicle to the curb or side of the street. The driver of a motor vehicle, when traveling upon a down grade upon any street, shall not coast with the gears of the vehicle in neutral. (Ref. 39-674 RS Neb.)
No person shall park any vehicle, or approach the curb with a vehicle, except when headed in the direction of the traffic. Vehicles, when parked, shall stand parallel with and adjacent to the curb or edge of the roadway, in such manner as to have both right wheels within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, and so as to leave at least four feet between the vehicle so parked and any other parked vehicles, except where the Governing Body designates that vehicles shall be parked at an angle so as to have the front right wheel at the curb or edge of the roadway. Where stalls are designated either on the curb or pavement, vehicles shall be parked within such stalls. (Ref. 39-673, 39-697 RS Neb.)
The Governing Body may, by resolution, designate any street, or portion thereof, where vehicles shall be parked parallel with and adjacent to the curb or at an angle so as to have the right front wheel at the curb. (Ref. 39-673, 39-697 RS Neb.)
The Governing Body may, by resolution, set aside any street, alley, public way, or portion thereof where the parking of a particular kind or class of vehicle shall be prohibited, or where the parking of any vehicle shall be prohibited. No vehicle prohibited from parking thereon shall stand or be parked adjacent to the curb of said street, alley, public way, or portion thereof, longer than a period of time necessary to load and unload freight or passengers. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
No vehicle while parked shall have any portion thereof projecting into any alley entrance. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
No vehicle shall be parked in any alley, except for the purpose of loading or unloading during the time necessary to load or unload, which shall not exceed the maximum limit of 15 minutes. Every vehicle while loading or unloading in any alley shall be parked in such manner as will cause the least obstruction possible to traffic in such alley. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
[Amended by Ord. No. 1084, 2-18-2004]
No vehicle shall be parked within 15 feet in either direction of any fire hydrant nor within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station.
[Amended by Ord. No. 902, 5-5-1992]
It is unlawful to permit any vehicle to park or stand in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a Police Officer or traffic-control device:
1. 
In any intersection;
2. 
In a crosswalk;
3. 
Upon any bridge or viaduct;
4. 
Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, beacon or sign on the approaching side;
5. 
Within 20 feet of any intersection or four feet of any crosswalk;
6. 
At any place where the standing of a vehicle will reduce the usable width of the roadway for moving traffic to less than 24 feet;
7. 
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
8. 
At any place where the vehicle would block the use of a driveway;
9. 
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail or a railroad grade crossing;
10. 
Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance of any Fire Department station, and on the side of the street opposite the entrance to any such station, within 50 feet of such entrance when properly signposted;
11. 
On any sidewalk or parkway;
12. 
At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
(Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
Guests from outside the limits of the City visiting a Ralston resident at or on his residential property shall be required to obtain a permit for on-street parking in advance from the Police Department for any period in excess of 12 hours or for any period between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
[Amended by Ord. 894, 9-3-1991; Ord. 954, 1-3-1996]
It is unlawful to park automobiles or other vehicles on the north side of any street running east and west, or on the west side of any street running north and south, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or except as otherwise posted pursuant to resolution of the Governing Body. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
No person shall, except in case of an accident or emergency, stop any vehicle in any location where such stopping will obstruct any street, intersection, or entrance to an alley or public or private drive. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
No vehicle shall park on any street with its left side to the curb, unless said street has been designated to be a "one-way" street by the Governing Body. Vehicles must not be parked at any curb in such a position as to prevent another vehicle already parked at the curb from moving away. (Ref. 39-673 RS Neb.)
It shall be the duty of the Public Works Department to cause the curb space to be painted and keep the same painted as provided in this article. No person, firm, or corporation shall paint the curb of any street, or in any manner set aside, or attempt to prevent the parking of vehicles in any street, or part thereof, except at such places where the parking of vehicles is prohibited by the provisions of this article. The marking or designating of portions of streets or alleys where the parking of vehicles is prohibited or limited shall be done only by the Municipality through its proper officers, at the direction of the Governing Body. Curbs painted the following colors shall have these restrictions:
1. 
Yellow. The use of yellow paint upon the curb of any street shall indicate that some parking restriction shall apply within such area. Provided; the nature of the parking restriction shall be clearly designated by sign or some other means.
2. 
Blue. The use of blue paint upon the curb of any street shall indicate that such space has been set aside for handicapped parking.
(Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
It shall be unlawful for any person to park upon any street, alley, or public place within this Municipality any vehicle displayed for sale. No person shall adjust or repair any automobile or motorcycle, or race the motor of same, while standing on the public streets or alleys of this Municipality, excepting in case of breakdown or other emergency requiring same. No person or employee connected with a garage or repair shop shall use sidewalks, streets, or alleys in the vicinity of such garage or shop for the purpose of working on automobiles or vehicles of any description. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
The Governing Body and any person in lawful possession of any off-street parking facility may designate parking spaces for the exclusive use of disabled persons whose vehicles display the distinguishing license plates issued to such individuals pursuant to Section 60-311.14 RS Neb., such other handicapped persons, as certified by the Governing Body, whose vehicles display the identification as determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and such other motor vehicles, as certified by the Governing Body, which display such identification. All such permits shall be displayed in the operator's area in a conspicuous location upon the vehicle's dashboard or its equivalent. Whenever the Governing Body so designates a parking space, it shall be indicated by a sign which is in conformance with the 19th edition of the Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. In addition to such sign the space may also be indicated by blue paint on the curb or edge of the paved portion of the street adjacent to the space.
The Municipal Clerk shall take an application from physically handicapped persons or their parent, legal guardian, or foster parent for a permit which will entitle the holder thereof or a person driving a motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting such holder to park in those spaces provided for by this section. For the purpose of this section, physically handicapped persons shall mean visually handicapped persons and those permanently physically handicapped persons who have definite walking problems to such an extent that walking is impractical, impossible, extremely painful, or generally detrimental to one's health, including those persons who have respiratory problems which incapacitate their walking, and disabled persons as defined in Section 60-311.14 RS Neb. Visually handicapped persons shall mean those persons using the white cane or guide dog. Persons applying for a permit shall complete such forms as are provided to the Municipal Clerk by the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Municipal Clerk that he or she is handicapped. The Municipal Clerk may require medical certificates and proof of a handicapped condition. Such application shall be forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Municipal Clerk may take an application from any person for a motor vehicle permit which will entitle the holder thereof or a person driving the motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting physically handicapped persons to park in those spaces provided for by this section, if the motor vehicle is used primarily for the transportation of physically handicapped person. Such parking permit shall be used only when the motor vehicle for which it was issued is being used for the transportation of physically handicapped persons. Persons applying for permits (pursuant to this section), shall apply for a permit for each motor vehicle used for the transportation of physically handicapped persons and shall complete such forms as are provided to the Municipal Clerk by the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall demonstrate to the Clerk that each such motor vehicle is used primarily for the transportation of physically handicapped persons. Such applications shall be forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The permit shall be a card not less than five inches by eight inches in size to be issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, on which is prominently displayed the letter "H" and an identifying number on the front of the card. The name, address, phone number, date of birth, and age of the physically handicapped person to whom issued shall appear on the reverse side, and if the permit is issued for a motor vehicle used primarily for the transportation of physically handicapped persons, the name, address, and phone number of the party to whom issued and the license plate number of the motor vehicle for which the permit is issued shall appear on the reverse side of the permit. No permit shall be issued to any person for any motor vehicle if any valid handicapped parking permit has been issued to such person or for such motor vehicle if such permit has been suspended pursuant to this section.
A duplicate permit may be provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles without cost if the original permit is destroyed, lost, or stolen. Such duplicate permit shall be valid for the remainder of the period for which the original permit was issued.
All permits authorized under this section shall be issued for a period ending January One of the 4th year following the date of issuance. A permit fee of $3 shall be charged for each permit, $1 of which shall be retained by the Municipal Clerk and $2 which shall be forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Permits issued under this section shall not be transferable, and shall be used only by the party to whom issued or for the motor vehicle for which issued and only for the purpose for which it is issued. Use by any other person, for any other motor vehicle, or for any other purpose shall be cause for suspension of such permit for a period of six months. At the expiration of such period, a suspended permit may be renewed upon the payment of the permit fee.
The owner or person in lawful possession of an off-street parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff's department, as the case may be, and the Municipality when providing on-street parking or owning, operating, or providing an off-street parking facility, may cause the removal, from a stall or space designated exclusively for disabled persons, other handicapped persons, or motor vehicles for the transportation of physically handicapped persons, of any vehicle not displaying proper identification or one of the distinguishing license plates specified in this section if there is posted immediately adjacent to and visible from such stall or space a sign which clearly and conspicuously states the area so designated as a tow-in zone. Anyone parking in an on-street parking space which has been designated exclusively for handicapped persons or motor vehicles for the transportation of handicapped persons, or in any so designated parking space in any off-street parking facility owned or operated by the Municipality without properly displaying the proper identification, shall be guilty of a traffic infraction as defined in Section 39-602, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, 1943, and shall be subject to the penalties and procedure set forth in Section 39-6, 122, Revised Statutes Supplement, 1978. (Ref. 18-1736 through 18-1742 RS Neb.)
It shall be unlawful to park, or place on the streets, alleys, or other public property any motor vehicle without first securing a current license as provided by law, and no such licensed motor vehicle shall be allowed to stand for a longer period than 24 hours. (Ref. 60-323 RS Neb.)
The Governing Body may, by resolution, entirely prohibit, or fix a time limit for, the parking and stopping of vehicles on any street, streets, or district designated by such resolution, and the parking, or stopping, of any vehicle in any such street, streets, or district, for a period of time longer than fixed in such resolution shall constitute a violation of this article. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
[Amended by Ord. No. 901, 1-21-1992]
The parking of a motor vehicle on a public street or a public parking lot for over 24 consecutive hours is unlawful, except where a different maximum time limit is posted. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
The Governing Body may, by resolution, designate any street or portion thereof as a fire lane and shall provide for appropriate signs and painting the curb red when such street has been so designated. (Ref. 39-697 RS Neb.)
[Amended by Ord. 1084, 2-18-2004]
It is hereby made unlawful for the operator of any motor vehicle to stop, stand, park or leave such vehicle unattended in any designated fire lane on public or private property for any length of time. Any motor vehicle so stopped, stood, parked or left unattended may be ticketed and may be subject to immediate removal pursuant to § 5-621.
[Amended by Ord. No. 832, 10-18-1988]
Whenever any Police Officer shall find a vehicle standing upon a street or alley in violation of any of the provisions of this article, such individual may remove or have such vehicle removed, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move such vehicle, to a position off the roadway of such street or alley or from such street or alley.
The owner or other person lawfully entitled to the possession of any vehicle towed or stored shall be charged with the reasonable cost of towing and storage fees. Any such towing or storage fee shall be a lien upon the vehicle prior to all other claims. Any person towing or storing a vehicle shall be entitled to retain possession of such vehicle until such charges are paid. The lien provided for in this section shall not apply to the contents of any vehicles. (Ref. 39-671, 39-697 RS Neb.)
[Ord. 852, 7-5-1989; amended 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 1236; 11-5-2019 by Ord. No. 1240]
I. 
The City Council finds and declares that the parking and storage of inoperable automobiles or parts thereof in residential zones within the City creates a condition which detracts from the appearance of neighborhoods and reduces the value of private property, promotes blight and deterioration, creates fire hazards, constitutes an unattractive nuisance which creates a hazard to the health and safety of minors, and is injurious to the health, safety and general welfare of the public.
II. 
No lot, parcel or tract of land or part thereof, situated within the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Ralston shall be used for any of the following:
A. 
The storage or keeping of motor vehicles not having a properly issued current motor vehicle registration and current motor vehicle license plate properly displayed; provided, however, that the following shall not constitute a violation of this Subsection A:
1. 
The storage of unlicensed and/or unregistered motor vehicles in a fully enclosed garage.
2. 
The storage or keeping of operable off-highway farm and industrial vehicles on tracts zoned Agricultural Residence (A) or Light Industrial, First Industrial, Industrial Park or P-1 Parking Lot and used in agricultural or industrial activity conducted on said premises.
B. 
The storage, keeping or abandonment of parts, including scrap metals, from motor vehicles or machinery, or parts thereof, except in enclosed buildings or garages or where otherwise authorized by the Ralston zoning regulations.
C. 
Parking, storage, or keeping, other than in a fully enclosed garage, of any nonoperable motor vehicle on any lot zoned residential; provided, however, that automobiles that are nonoperable solely by reason of repair work being done thereon may be parked on residential lots within the Ralston zoning jurisdiction occupied by the owner of said automobile, under the following conditions:
1. 
The automobile is owned by the occupier of the premises and registered to him at that address;
2. 
The period of said repair work does not exceed 10 days in duration;
3. 
Said repair work is at all times conducted on a hard-surfaced driveway; and
4. 
No more than one automobile in need of repair is situated on the premises at the same time.
D. 
No motor vehicle shall be parked or stored in the front yard of any lot zoned residential except on paved, asphalt or brick driveways. The use of a driveway existing and lawful at the time of the adoption of this section may be continued although such use does not conform with the provisions of this section.
E. 
No motor vehicle shall be parked or stored in the side or rear yard of any lot zoned residential except on hard-surfaced pads maintained with materials sufficient to prevent mud, dust, or loose materials. Pervious surfaces which still provide such hard surfaces are permitted. Approval of a building permit for a parking pad and a final inspection thereof shall be conclusive evidence that such pad is permitted under this section.
III. 
The parking, storage or keeping of any motor vehicle in violation of Subsection IIA, B, C above is hereby declared to be a nuisance.
A. 
Notice to abate and remove such nuisance shall be given to each owner of such lot, parcel or tract of land or to such owner's duly authorized agent and to the occupant, if any. Notice shall be given by first-class mail or personal delivery. Such mail or notice shall be conspicuously marked as to its importance. In addition the City, at its sole discretion, may mail such notice to the last known owner of the vehicle and/or post it on the door of the property or any portion of the motor vehicle and take a photo to note the date and time. The notice will be conclusively presumed to have been received by the owner or occupant two days after the date of mailing same.
B. 
Within five days after receipt of such notice, the owner or occupant of the lot, parcel or tract of land may request a hearing with the City to appeal the decision to abate or remove a nuisance by filing a written appeal with the office of the City Clerk. A hearing on the appeal shall be held within 14 days after the filing of the appeal and shall be conducted by a hearing officer selected by the Mayor from the membership of the Problem Resolution Team. The hearing officer shall render a decision on the appeal within five business days after the conclusion of the hearing. If the appeal fails, the City may have such work done.
C. 
Within five days after receipt of such notice, if the owner or occupant of the lot, parcel or tract of land does not request a hearing with the City or fails to comply with the order to abate and remove the nuisance, the City may have such work done.
D. 
The costs and expenses of any such work shall be paid by the owner of the lot, parcel or tract of land. If unpaid for two months after such work is done, the City may either a) levy and assess the costs and expenses of the work upon the lot, parcel or tract of land so benefited as a special assessment or b) recover in a civil action the costs and expenses of the work upon the lot, parcel or tract of land and the adjoining streets and alleys.
IV. 
Any owner or occupant of a lot, parcel or tract of land shall, upon conviction of violating this section, be guilty of a Class V misdemeanor. Each day the nuisance exists upon such property after receipt of the notice and the passage of five days shall constitute a separate offense. (Ref. 16-230 RS Neb.)
[Amended by Ord. 892, 9-3-1991; 3-1-2022 by Ord. No. 1300]
It shall be unlawful to park automobiles or other vehicles on any street for any period between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless in designated parking stalls maintained or approved by the City. This section shall not apply to the Ralston Village P.U.D.
[Added by Ord. 937, 1-17-1995; amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 1243; 2-15-2022 by Ord. No. 1299]
The following streets, within the City limits of Ralston, are designated as snow emergency routes:
1. 
"Q" Street between 84th Street and 80th Street; 80th Street between "Q" Street and Oakwood Street; Oakwood Street between 80th Street and Miller Avenue; Miller Avenue between Oakwood Street and Main Street; Main Street between Miller Avenue and 72nd Street.
2. 
Highland Street between 72nd Street and Miller Avenue; Miller Avenue between Highland Street and Oakwood Street.
3. 
77th Avenue between "L" Street and Highland Street.
4. 
77th Street between the Highland Street and Serum Avenue; Serum Avenue between 77th Street and 78th Street; 78th Street between Serum Avenue and Harrison Road.
5. 
Burlington Street between 77th Street and 75th Street.
6. 
75th Street between Main Street and Burlington Street.
7. 
76th Street between Main Street and Burlington Street.
8. 
Park Drive between 76th Street and 84th Street.
9. 
Ralston Avenue between 78th Street and 84th Street.
10. 
Monroe Street between 84th Street and 90th Street.
11. 
The streets within the Ralston Village PUD consisting of Serum Avenue east of 77th Street, 76th Avenue south of Serum Avenue, and 77th Street south of Serum Avenue.
All designated routes shall be marked with permanent signs.
[Added by Ord. 937, 1-17-1995; amended 12-1-2020 by Ord. No. 1268]
1. 
Whenever the Mayor or the Mayor's designated representative shall declare a snow emergency, with notice thereof to the news media, it shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle to be parked on any designated snow emergency route commencing at the time stated in the declaration of the snow emergency and continuing until 24 hours after the cessation of the precipitation, or until such accumulated snow shall have been plowed to the curb on both sides of the street, whichever is sooner.
2. 
Upon such declaration, all motor vehicles, trailers, or other obstructions to the free passage of snow-clearing equipment shall be removed or caused to be removed from the city streets by their owners. If necessary, notices to remove such may be issued by the Police Department and if such obstruction is not removed within six hours from the issuance of a notice to remove, the City may relocate it or cause it to be impounded so that removal of snow and ice may be completed.
3. 
Any automobile parked in violation of this section may be ordered removed by the Chief of Police or the Chief's designated representative, and such illegal parking shall constitute the Chief of Police/Representative as agent of the owner or any mortgagee thereof. The agent may contract with any other party to remove said motor vehicle and grant a lien to such remover of said vehicle of his charges for removal and storage of said vehicle. If such unlawfully parked vehicle is not removed, and by reason its presence, any part of the City streets are impossible to plow and clear of snow, the person in violation of this section shall be civilly liable to the City of Ralston for any added plowing expense necessarily incurred as a result of the unlawful parking, unless the violator shall promptly and personally clean the unplowed area.
[Added by Ord. 937, 1-17-1995; amended 12-1-2020 by Ord. No. 1268; 2-15-2022 by Ord. No. 1299]
1. 
City Wide. Whenever the Mayor or the Mayor's designated representative shall find, on the basis of accumulated or predicted snow, sleet or freezing rain, that conditions have become necessary that parking on nonemergency route streets be prohibited or restricted for snow-plowing purposes, he/she may declare a parking prohibition on all nonemergency route streets. In the declaration, the Mayor or the Mayor's designated representative shall state the date and the time on which parking prohibition shall take effect, provided said time shall not be less than three hours after such declaration. The parking prohibition shall remain in effect until the street has been plowed back to the curbs on both sides of the street designated, or terminated by announcement of the Mayor or the Mayor's designated representative.
2. 
Downtown. Upon every accumulation of one-half inch or more of new snow, sleet or ice, parking shall be prohibited for snow-plowing purposes on all on-street parking stalls, located on the City's right-of-way, contiguous to the following downtown streets:
a. 
Main Street between 77th and 75th Streets;
b. 
Park Drive between 77th and 76th Streets;
c. 
Burlington Street between 77th and 75th Streets;
d. 
75th Street between Main and Burlington Streets;
e. 
76th Street between Main and Burlington Streets;
f. 
77th Street between Main and BNSF railroad right-of-way.
Such prohibition shall take effect automatically and shall not require a declaration, announcement, or other notice. The parking prohibition shall be from 6:00 p.m. to the following 6:00 a.m. each day but shall end for each parking area upon all stalls in such parking area having been plowed back to the curb. A parking area for purposes of this section shall mean two or more parking stalls sharing a series of common boundaries from stall to stall. All parking stalls reserved for the Ralston Fire Department shall be exempt from this provision.
3. 
Penalty. Any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be subject to removal in the manner prescribed in § 5-625, and such civil liability as set forth in § 5-625.
[Added by Ord. 937, 1-17-1995; amended 2-15-2022 by Ord. No. 1299]
In addition to the removal of vehicles and civil liability imposed by §§ 5-625 and 5-626, any vehicle parked in violation of said sections may be issued a parking citation for a non-moving violation pursuant to § 5-701 and § 5-702, and the owner thereof shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties set forth in § 1-106.
[Added by Ord. No. 1150, § 2, 6-1-2010; amended by Ord. No. 1157, 9-7-2010]
There is hereby ordered created Vehicle Off-Street Parking District No. 1 of the City of Ralston, Nebraska. The boundaries of Vehicle Off-Street Parking District No. 1 of the City of Ralston, Nebraska, shall be as follows:
On the north by Park Drive; on the south by Ralston Avenue; on the west by 84th Street and on the east by East 77th Street. Said boundaries are hereby determined to include all those properties within the City of Ralston which might be specifically benefited by off-street parking improvements within said District. The costs of off-street parking facilities to be acquired and constructed and the costs of operating and maintaining such facilities shall be paid for from general taxes, special property taxes on property within Vehicle Off-Street Parking District No. 1 of Ralston, Nebraska, and general property taxes, with financing being provided by issuance of the City's general obligation bonds, all as provided for in the Act and with such revenues, as determined appropriate at the time of issuance, to be pledged for the payment of any such bonds. In addition to the levy of such taxes and pledge of revenues, a portion of the cost of acquisition, including construction, maintenance, repair and reconstruction may be paid for by special assessments in accordance with the terms of Section 19-3314, R.R.S. Neb. 2007.
[Added by Ord. No. 1162, 2-22-2011]
There is hereby ordered created Vehicle Off-Street Parking District No. 2 of the City of Ralston, Nebraska. The boundaries of Vehicle Off-Street Parking District No. 2 of the City of Ralston, Nebraska, shall be the same as the corporate boundaries of the City. Said boundaries are hereby determined to include all those properties within the City of Ralston which might be specially benefited by off-street parking improvements within said district. The costs of off-street parking facilities to be acquired and constructed and the costs of operating and maintaining such facilities shall be paid for from general taxes, special property taxes on property within Vehicle Off-Street Parking District No. 2 of Ralston, Nebraska, and general property taxes, with financing being provided by issuance of the City's general obligation bonds, all as provided for in the Act and with such revenues, as determined appropriate at the time of issuance, to be pledged for the payment of any such bonds. In addition to the levy of such taxes and pledge of revenues, a portion of the cost of acquisition, including construction, maintenance, repair, and reconstruction may be paid for by special assessments in accordance with the terms of Section 19-3314, R.R.S. Neb. 2007.