CROSS REFERENCE: For regulation of municipal parking lots, see Chapters 8 and 9 of Title XXIII of these Revised General Ordinances.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-1; Ord. 6 S+FH, 6-3-1987]
As used in this chapter:
DIRECTOR
Shall mean the Director of the Department of Finance and/or his designee.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Shall mean any vehicle which is self-propelled.
PARKING LOT
Shall mean any place, lot, parcel, yard, building or structure used in whole, or in part, for storing or parking motor vehicles, where a storage or parking fee is charged therefor and which is open to the general public. Provided, however, that garages and other places where motor vehicles are stored for hire within or on a building shall be exempt from the provisions hereof, but any area of such premises used for open air parking or storage shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. There is also excluded from the provisions of this chapter, residential neighborhood parking lots, restricted to residents thereof, without charge, or on a monthly rental basis, and such premises are not held out for use by the general public and are not marked or advertised as a public parking lot.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-2]
No person shall conduct, operate or maintain a parking lot without first obtaining a license therefor from the City as hereinafter provided.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-3; Ord. 6 S+FV, 12-18-1985; Ord. 6 S+FG, 1-7-1987]
a. 
Application for a parking lot license and renewal thereof shall be made to the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes by the person intending to operate the parking lot, on a form furnished by the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes.
b. 
The application shall set forth the following:
1. 
The name under which, and the street number of the place where, the parking lot is to be operated, and if a corporation, the location of the office in this State together with the name and address of the registered agent in charge thereof.
2. 
Whether the applicant is an individual, partnership, corporation or association; if an individual, the name and business and residence address of the applicant; if a firm or partnership, the name and business and bona fide residence addresses of each partner or member of the firm; if a corporation or association, the name, date and State under which such corporation or association was organized, and the name and business addresses of its officers.
3. 
Whether the premises to be licensed are owned or leased by the applicant, and, if leased, the name and bona fide residence and business address of the lessor.
4. 
The maximum number of motor vehicles which may, at one time, be stored upon the premises.
5. 
The hours during which motor vehicles may be stored.
6. 
The hours during which parking attendants will be on duty on the lot.
7. 
A complete schedule of rates to be charged for storing motor vehicles, including monthly rates, weekly rates, and any other bulk rates, if offered.
c. 
The applicant shall file with the application a plat or drawing of the parking lot, approved by the Director, Department of Engineering, showing the location and size of the parking lot; the location and size of each stall and parking lane; the location and size of driveways and aisles; the kind of floors or ground surface; the location and type of lighting units and signs; and the number and type of fire extinguishing equipment to be provided on the premises to be licensed.
1. 
For all automobile parking except as provided in subparagraph 2, the minimum space shall be 8 1/2 feet wide and 18 1/2 feet long. An 8 1/2 foot stall width assumes a clear space on adjacent stalls of the same dimension on both sides. If a stall is located with one side adjacent to a wall or high curb, an additional six inches of width is needed. The minimum stall width, if walls are on both sides, shall be 9 1/2 feet. In addition, each parking space, as described above, shall be delineated by yellow or white surface paint lines.
2. 
For all automobile parking where the vehicles are parked two or more deep, i.e. "stacked," the minimum width for each parking lane created shall be 8 1/2 feet. Each lane shall be delineated by white or yellow surface paint lines for the entire length.
d. 
Each application shall be signed and verified under oath by the applicant, if an individual firm or partnership; or by a duly authorized agent or properly constituted officers, if a corporation or association.
[R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-4]
Prior to the issuance of a license, each applicant shall file with the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes a policy or certificate of public liability insurance issued by a company authorized to do business in New Jersey, in the minimum amount of: (1) $100,000 for one person and $200,000 for two or more persons for personal injury; and (2) $10,000 for property damage; the period of insurance coverage as evidenced by the certificate shall be concurrent with the term of the license.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-5; Ord. 6 S+FV, 12-18-1985 § 2; Ord. 6 S+FG, 1-7-1987 § 2]
All renewal applications shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter except that it shall not be necessary to furnish a supplementary plat or drawing of the parking lot with the renewal application unless changes have been made that do not appear upon the plat previously filed when the initial license was issued and approved by the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes, or the plat or drawing previously filed when the initial license was issued and approved by the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes does not conform with the requirements set forth in this chapter as amended and supplemented. If any such change has been made or if there is any nonconformance with this chapter as amended and supplemented, a new supplementary plat or drawing shall be filed with the renewal application and approved by the Director, Department of Engineering before the renewal license is issued. Renewal applications shall be filed by September 1st of each year.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-6; Ord. 6PSF-A(S), 1-7-2016]
a. 
Upon satisfying the requirements of Sections 8:2-3, 8:2-4 and 8:2-6b, a license shall be issued by the Director granting to the licensee the privilege of using the subject premises for automobile parking. The license so issued is subject to revocation after 30 days. In order to avoid revocation the licensee must, during this thirty-day period, satisfy the requirements of this chapter and the matters set forth in the application and shown in the accompanying plat or drawing. The licensee must also, during this same thirty-day period, receive the approval of the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes, the City Traffic Engineer, the Division of Fire and the Electrical Subcode Official in the Department of Engineering.
b. 
No license shall be granted for any premises unless the use for automobile parking is permitted on the premises under Title XLI, Zoning and Land Use Regulations, of the City, or upon the granting of a permit therefor as provided by Title XLI, Zoning and Land Use Regulations by way of a variance from the terms of Title XLI, Zoning and Land Use Regulations as by the ordinance and Statutes provided, and subject further to all ordinances of the City affecting the construction and maintenance of the parking lot.
CROSS REFERENCE: For zoning, see Title XLI, Zoning and Land Use Regulations of these Revised General Ordinances.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-7]
All licenses issued under this chapter by the Director shall be numbered.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-8; Ord. 6 S+FD, 6-1-1988 § 1; Ord. 6 PSF-D, 8-3-2016 § 2; amended 12-21-2021 by Ord. No. 6PSF-a(s), 12-21-2021]
a. 
All licenses issued, and renewals thereof, under this chapter shall expire biennially on September 30th after its date of issuance. If any applicant obtains an initial license pursuant to this section after the renewal date or in between a biennial cycle, the applicant will pay a pro-rated application fee. The applicant's license will thereafter expire on September 30th in accordance with the biennial licensing cycle. The Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes shall establish administrative rules and/or regulations pertaining to scheduling for the issuance of a parking lot license.
b. 
The biennial license for the operation of an open air parking lot shall be computed at the rate of $0.08 per square foot of the total area occupied by the parking lot.
c. 
The biennial license fee for the operation of an enclosed parking lot (building) shall be computed as to its capacity as follows:
1. 
Each parking building which has the capacity to hold not more than 50 vehicles will be $300.
2. 
Each parking building which has the capacity to hold 50 vehicles but not more than 100 vehicles will be $450.
3. 
Each parking building which has the capacity to hold more than 100 vehicles will be $700.
4. 
The determination of the maximum motor vehicle capacity of each parking lot or building, which shall appear on the face of the license application, shall be made by conformity with Section 8:2-3c, 1 and 2 with final approval of the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes.
d. 
When an application is received for an installation made after the first of October of any year, the annual fee shall be for the pro-rata part thereof for the unexpired period of the one-year term, commencing on the first of the month in which the parking garage or lot comes into operation.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-9]
a. 
In the event of the sale or transfer to a new operator of the parking lot business, the new operator shall make application to the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes for transfer of the license. Such application and transfer of the license shall be subject to all the terms, conditions and requirements of this chapter applicable to a new application and the granting of a new license.
b. 
In the event of the sale or transfer, the transferor or licensee shall surrender his license to the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes within the twenty-four-hour period next following the sale or transfer.
c. 
No license shall be issue to the new operator under paragraph a of this section unless and until there shall be compliance with paragraph b of this section.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-10; Ord. 6 S+FV, 12-18-1985 § 3; Ord. 6 S+FG, 1-7-1987 § 3]
a. 
All licenses and renewals thereof shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter and any amendments thereto or supplements thereof.
b. 
The conditions set forth in the application and its accompanying items upon which the license, or any renewal thereof, was issued, shall be maintained by the licensee continuously during the conduct of the business thereunder, and a violation thereof shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
c. 
The licensee shall be responsible for the proper conduct of his agents, servants and employees in the conduct of the business and for any violation of the provisions of this chapter thereby.
d. 
There shall be no parking in any lot licensed under this chapter, except in a space or parking lane designated on the plat submitted with the licensee's application and approved by the Director, Department of Engineering pursuant to Section 8:2-3c of this chapter.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-11; Ord. 6 S+FW, 8-3-1988 § 1]
a. 
Each licensee under this chapter shall maintain in good condition at all times, at each entrance to such parking lot, a sign, suitable to apprise persons intending to use a parking lot, of the:
1. 
Name of licensee;
2. 
Address of licensee;
3. 
Telephone number of licensee;
4. 
Address of premises;
5. 
Parking lot license number;
6. 
Opening and closing hours of the parking lot;
7. 
Hours when attendant will be on premises;
8. 
Rates charged for parking or storage indicating that these rates include City of Newark parking taxes.
b. 
Signs giving all the above information shall be erected only at points of ingress on private property. If point of ingress is more than 50 feet wide, the signs must be so positioned as to be no more than 50 feet from the point of ingress.
The signs shall be of sheet metal or other suitable material and shall be displayed at a height of not less than four feet (bottom edge) and not more than 12 feet (top edge) above the street level. No sign shall be less than 20 nor more than 50 square feet.
Signs shall be erected so as to be visible to a motorist before he leaves the thoroughfare and before he enters the parking lot.
Signs shall be composed of a solid background and the letters, numerals, or symbols shall all be of the same contrasting color. The upper-case (capital) to be two inches high; all letters "san serif," as per attached "Specimen No. I."[1] Letters and numerals shall be proportionately spaced and shall neither be contracted nor expanded so as to inhibit readability. Each classification and the applicable rate or rates thereunder shall be listed on a separate line not to exceed 40 inches in width. The lines shall be spaced 1 1/2 inches apart, as measured between the upper-case (capital) letters. Rates for fractional or hourly periods shall be so listed as to reflect the total charge for each aggregate period up to the maximum thereof.
For Example:
Up to 1 hour
$ _____ (including tax)
Up to 2 hours
$ _____ (including tax)
Maximum
_____ Hours
or Maximum
6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
as per attached "Specimen No. II."[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: "Specimen No. I" is included as an attachment to this Chapter.
[2]
Editor's Note: "Specimen No. II" is included as an attachment to this Chapter.
c. 
Separate signs, having reverse color schemes placed in juxtaposition to each other, shall be used when DAY and NIGHT Rates differ, provided that the DAY rate sign shall be so marked that a motorist parking his vehicle when DAY rates are in effect may, from the schedule, readily and easily determine his total charges should he remove his vehicle when NIGHT Rates (reverse color scheme or day rate sign) are in effect:
For Example:
DAY RATES
Enter 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Up to 1 hour
$ _____ (including tax)
Up to 2 hours
$ _____(including tax) etc.
Maximum to 6:00 p.m.
(including tax)
NIGHT RATES
Enter 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Up to 1 hour
$ _____ (including tax)
Up to 2 hours
$ _____ (including tax) etc.
Maximum to a.m.
(including tax)
d. 
No licensee shall alter or change his charges or rates from that set forth in his application until he has filed a written notice with the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes of such change at least 45 days before the effective date of the change, and has posted signs showing the changed rates or charges in the same manner as provided in this section and placed at the right hand side of the regular sign (unless such change is authorized by a City ordinance in which case a twenty-four-hour notice shall be sufficient).
e. 
Auxiliary signs may be displayed, provided that all the letters and numerals are of equal size and conform to the style of lettering so designated (see attached copy "Specimen No. II"[3]) and further provided that such sign or signs neither mislead nor confuse or tend to mislead or confuse the public.
[3]
Editor's Note: "Specimen No. II" is included as an attachment to this Chapter.
f. 
In the event the maximum capacity of a licensed parking lot has been reached, a sign composed of letters at least six inches in height, must be posted at the public entrance of such parking lot, stating, "Parking Lot Full."
g. 
A licensee who has taken over the business of a previous licensee may not increase the schedule of prices until formal notice has first been filed with the Director and 45 days have elapsed subsequent to such filing.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-12]
An effective guard rail or tire bumper shall be provided along such interior lot lines as is required to prevent the front or rear of cars from damaging walls, fences or other adjacent property.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-13]
a. 
Each licensee shall keep the sidewalks surrounding the licensed parking lot free from dirt, ice, sleet and snow; and shall keep the sidewalks in safe condition for the travel of pedestrians.
b. 
Parking lots shall be kept free from debris, so that the same shall not become a nuisance to adjacent property owners or others.
c. 
Parking lots shall be paved with a smooth, hard surface which shall be maintained in good and safe condition. Each facility shall be adequately drained so that it will not retain water.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-14; Ord. 6PSF-F, 6-15-2016]
Not more than one building for the use of attendants in the operation of each parking lot may be permitted provided that such building is of durable construction and that the plans have been approved by the Division of Uniform Construction Code in the Department of Engineering. On parking lots facing two or more streets, one additional building may be maintained.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-15]
a. 
Parking lots shall be adequately lighted in all portions when in operation during the hours of darkness. Illumination shall be by means of shielded floodlights or other means of lighting approved by the Electrical Subcode Official.
b. 
The operator of any parking lot which does not remain open after 4:00 p.m., when so stated in the application, need not comply with the foregoing requirement.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-16]
a. 
Driveways shall be of such width as the City Traffic Engineer shall approve to provide adequate access to the parking area without the necessity of motor vehicles unnecessarily blocking streets or sidewalks. The Traffic Engineer shall give due weight, in his judgment, to the number of such driveways, the capacity of the facility, the number of streets the facility faces upon, proximity to corners, and to such other factors that he shall determine, but in no event shall any driveway be less than 20 feet in width.
b. 
No driveway shall be built within a crosswalk.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-17; Ord. 6PSF-A(S), 1-7-2016]
Parking lots shall be equipped with proper fire extinguishing apparatus, as required by the Fire Prevention Code of the City and subject to the approval of the Division of Fire. All motor vehicles shall be so stored that they may be reached readily in case of fire or other emergency.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-18]
a. 
No person shall move or transfer, or permit the movement or transfer of any motor vehicle from any parking lot through or upon the streets of the City without the consent of the owner or bailor of such vehicle. The ownership or bailment of the motor vehicle shall be evidenced by the possession of the car registration at the time such consent is given.
b. 
All operators, their agents, servants or employees who actually manipulate customers' automobiles, shall be legally licensed drivers in the State of New Jersey.
c. 
Licensees, their agents, servants or employees shall not park nor maneuver motor vehicles on public sidewalks or streets.
CROSS REFERENCE: For prohibition against vehicle standing on sidewalk, see Section 29:4-6 of these Revised General Ordinances.
[1]
Editor's Note: For statutory provisions restricting driving or parking on sidewalks, see N.J.S.A. 39:4-71 and N.J.S.A. 39:4-138(f).
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-19]
a. 
At the time of accepting a motor vehicle for parking in a parking lot, the person conducting the same, his agent, servant or employee shall furnish to such person parking his motor vehicle, a distinctive claim check which shall contain at least the name and address of the parking lot and the date and time of issuance of the claim check endorsed thereon.
b. 
Paragraph a of this section shall not be applicable in the case of monthly or weekly parkers.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-20]
a. 
No licensee or employee shall make any charge for storage of any motor vehicle in a parking lot different from that charge or rate set forth in his application for a license, as provided in Section 8:2-3b, 7, and posted in accordance with Section 8:2-11.
b. 
No licensee shall alter or change his charges or rates from that set forth in his application unless he has filed a written notice with the Division of Tax Abatements/Special Taxes of such change at least 96 hours before the effective date of the change, and has posted signs showing the changed rates or charges in the same manner as provided in Section 8:2-11.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-21; Ord. 6PSF-A(S), 1-7-2016]
a. 
Each licensee shall, within 24 hours notify the Division of Police of any loss, theft or conversion occurring upon the licensed premises, giving necessary details.
b. 
Each licensee shall immediately notify the Division of Police when any motor vehicle shall have been parked and unclaimed without an agreement to the contrary, for a period longer than 24 hours, giving necessary details.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-22]
a. 
In addition to the penalty prescribed by Section 8:2-24 hereof, any licenses issued under this chapter shall be subject to suspension and revocation by the Director at any time where the licensee, his agent, servant or employee has:
1. 
Made any false or materially incorrect statement in his application;
2. 
Made any charge for storing any motor vehicles in a parking lot other than the rate set forth in his license application unless a new schedule of rates has been filed as provided in Section 8:2-20;
3. 
Violated, permitted or countenanced the violation of any provision of this chapter;
4. 
Violated, permitted or countenanced the violation of any provision of any penal law or ordinance regarding theft, larceny, or conversion of a motor vehicle, or the operation of a motor vehicle without the owner's or bailor's consent, whether or not such licensee or other person has been convicted of such an offense;
5. 
Failure to keep an attendant on duty during the times specified in his application;
6. 
Used or directed the use of an area of the public streets or sidewalks for parking motor vehicles, or used an area not covered by license for the storage of motor vehicles;
7. 
Failed to keep the lot adequately lighted in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; or
8. 
Failed to remit timely payment of parking taxes to the City of Newark.
b. 
No license shall be revoked or suspended by the Director for any of the above listed reasons until the licensee has been notified in writing of the charges against him and given the opportunity to be heard. The notice shall be by personal service anywhere or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the licensee at his address set forth in the application for the license. The notice shall state the nature of the charge and the time and place of the hearing. At the hearing, the charges against the licensee, shall be presented, and the licensee shall be given the opportunity to be heard. In the event the holder of the license shall fail to appear at the hearing then the Director may dispose of the matter as in his discretion the evidence and records on hand will warrant.
c. 
The licensee may, not later than 10 days after the date of such suspension or revocation, appeal the same in writing to the Director of Finance who shall thereupon give such licensee due notice of the time and place where such appeal will be heard.
[R.O. 1966; R.O. 1966 C.S. § 8:2-23]
The Director of the Department of Finance shall be authorized to make any complaint for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.
[R.O. 1966 § 8:2-24]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $200.