[Adopted 10-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-9]
The City of Hazleton finds it necessary to regulate the parking of large vehicles and trailers to reduce public safety hazards and maintain the quality of residential neighborhoods, thereby preserving the value of property in those districts. The street grid in Hazleton predates the manufacturing and licensing of certain vehicles and trailers. These vehicles and trailers create safety hazards by encroaching into the abutting lane and moving traffic across the center lane. Such parking and obstructions, besides being a public safety issue, impedes the free flow of traffic. Parked close to an intersection, such vehicles and trailers, negatively impact the distance for vehicles entering the street. Certain vehicles and trailers parked in residential areas generate complaints from residential neighborhoods in regard to traffic impediments and safety hazards, as well as noise.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUS
A motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or, a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or limousine, designed to transport not more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
FOOD OR VENDING TRUCK
As defined in the Code of the City of Hazleton.
MOTOR HOME
A motor vehicle designed or adapted for use as a mobile dwelling or office, except a motor vehicle equipped with a truck camper.
OVERSIZED VEHICLE
A motor vehicle that has a Class 5 license or above, or any equivalent license or above, or with a gross vehicle weight of over 11,000 pounds.
OWNER
A person, other than a lien holder, having the property right in or title to a motor vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person, but excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.
PARK or PARKING
When permitted, means the temporary storing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, off the roadway; and, when prohibited, means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers.
RECREATIONAL TRAILER
A trailer designed or adopted and used exclusively for recreational purposes.
SCHOOL BUS
A motor vehicle which is designed to carry 11 passengers or more, including the driver, and is used for the transportation of preprimary, primary or secondary school students to or from public, private or parochial schools or events related to such schools or school-related activities. The term does not include a motor vehicle used to transport preprimary, primary or secondary school students to or from public, private or parochial schools or events related to such schools or school-related activities, which is designed to carry 11 to 15 passengers, including the driver, and which is registered in this commonwealth as a bus prior to March 1, 1993; or, a motor vehicle which is designed to carry 11 to 15 passengers, including the driver, and which was titled to any public, private or parochial school on or before March 1, 1993, and which is registered to that public, private or parochial school in this commonwealth as a bus prior to September 15, 1993.
STREET
Any thoroughfare, street, ally, court.
TRAILER
Every vehicle, wagon or truck without motive power designed to carry property or passengers wholly on its own structure and to be drawn by a motor vehicle.
TRUCK CAMPER
A structure designed, used or maintained primarily to be loaded or affixed to a motor vehicle to provide a mobile dwelling, sleeping place, office or commercial space.
TRUCK TRACTOR
A motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park, or allow to remain parked, on any street or parts of streets, the following: buses, dual-wheel motor homes, oversized vehicle, school buses, tractor trailers, food/vending trucks, trailers, truck campers within the City limits.
These provisions of this article shall not apply to vehicles owned or utilized by the City of Hazleton; vehicles engaged in the work of a public utility; vehicles of service companies, contractors, repairmen, delivery trucks or others actually engaged in working operations in the vicinity during the actual period of such between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
For violation of Chapter 325, Article VI, Parking of Large Vehicles and Trailers, the owner or operator shall be penalized pursuant to Chapter 1, Article II, of this Code. In addition to penalties as prescribed, the City of Hazleton may have the vehicle or trailer immediately towed.