[Ord. No. 25-046, 5-20-2025]
A. 
Purpose.
1. 
The purpose of a residential permit parking zone is to reduce the hazardous traffic conditions resulting from the use of streets within residentially zoned districts for parking of vehicles by persons using adjoining multi-family or non-residentially zoned districts. The regulations of the residential permit parking zone are intended to protect these residential districts from polluted air, excessive noise, trash and refuse caused by the entry of such vehicles; to protect the residents of these districts from unreasonable burden in gaining access to their residences; to preserve the residential character; to promote efficiency of access in the answering of emergency calls by the Fire and Police Departments; to promote efficiency in the maintenance of these streets in a clean and safe condition; to preserve the value of the residential property; to preserve the safety of children and other pedestrians and traffic safety; and to maintain the peace, good order, comfort, convenience and welfare of the residents.
2. 
Any Residential Permit Parking District established by ordinance prior to the effective date of this Section shall hereinafter be governed by this Section.
B. 
Initiation Of A Request For Residential Permit Parking Zone Designation.
1. 
A resident may initiate a request for residential permit parking zone designation by submitting a petition to the Engineering Department. Any member of the City Council, through the Mayor, or the Mayor may initiate a request for residential permit parking designation for an area of the City. A residential permit parking zone must contain a minimum of five (5) adjacent properties or have a lineal distance of three hundred (300) feet to be eligible.
2. 
Each street or street segment which is proposed for residential permit parking will be evaluated using the following methodology:
a. 
Seven (7) days prior to the evaluation, all residents within the area to be evaluated will be notified by the Engineering Department that the City is going to conduct an on-street parking evaluation. Area residents will be asked to place a card, provided by the City, in the rear window of any vehicle they intend to park on the street in the area in question to evaluate the impact of non-resident on-street parking in the area.
b. 
The evaluation will include a determination of the percentage of parking space availability (vacancy) during at least two (2) site visits when the greatest number of parked vehicles is anticipated. The effects of turnover in vehicles parked on the street will also be analyzed.
c. 
The number of on-street spaces are calculated at the rate of twenty-two (22) feet of lineal curb length with any fractional number rounded to the lowest number.
C. 
Design Criteria. To be eligible for the residential permit parking zone designation. City staff will conduct a minimum of two (2) site visits over the course of a week including the times indicated by the applicant as the worst parking availability. Site visit may include the use of a camera to record and assess the parking space availability (vacancy) and turnover of parking spaces in the affected area during the times indicated. The study will consider conditions such as:
1. 
Twenty-five percent (25%) or less vacancy during the site visits;
2. 
At least fifty percent (50%) of parked vehicles must be non-residents; and
3. 
Whether the permitted area is within one thousand (1,000) feet of a school zone or another high traffic generating area with limited parking.
D. 
Parking Permits Notification. Upon passage of an ordinance by City Council designating an area as a residential permit parking zone, notification will be sent to every address within the eligible area informing them that they are in a permit parking area and must obtain a parking permit from the Engineering Department. Residents will be issued six (6) individually numbered permits. Permits may be used for residents and guests of residents. Residents may submit a request for additional permits to the Engineering Department with supporting reasons for the need of additional permits. The cost of each additional permit is outlined in Subsection (H) of this Section. Residents may appeal denied requests to the City Council's Street Committee, which shall review the appeal and decide, on a case by case basis, whether to approve the request for additional permits. The appeal shall include supporting reasons why additional permits are needed and other pertinent information as may be requested.
E. 
Signage. Upon passage of the ordinance, the Department of Public Works will post signs on the affected streets with "Residential Permit Parking Only" and the days and hours permits are in effect or required.
F. 
Eligibility For Permits.
1. 
To residents of the affected areas, six (6) individually numbered permits will be issued to that address. These permits may be used for residents or visitors of residents in the affected area.
2. 
In applying for additional or replacement permit(s), the applicant must apply to the Engineering Department who will verify that the address is within the effective residential permit parking zone. Upon verification by the Engineering Department, the applicant will then be able to purchase the permit from the City Finance Department.
G. 
Proof Of Eligibility.
1. 
Each address is entitled to six (6) individually numbered permits, unless otherwise approved by the Engineering Department.
2. 
If a resident has recently moved into a residential permit parking zone, they must show proof of residence.
3. 
Residents must obtain and distribute parking permits for any vehicles parking within the residential permit parking zone, including permits for any visitors.
H. 
Additional Permits. The first issuance of the six (6) individually numbered permits will be provided by the City at no cost to the resident. A fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per permit shall be charged for any lost permits or for each additional approved permit above the six (6) permits initially supplied.
I. 
Non-Residence. Whenever a person holding a permit no longer meets the conditions of residency in a residential permit parking zone, he/she shall surrender the permit(s) to the Engineering Department.
J. 
Enforcement.
1. 
Enforcement of the residential permit parking zone shall be under the direction of the Chief of Police.
2. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to represent that he/she is entitled to a permit when he/she is not so entitled; to fail to surrender a permit to which he/she is not so entitled; to obtain, give, rent or sell a permit to a person to whom it is not entitled; to park a vehicle displaying a permit when the holder of the permit is not so entitled.
K. 
Violation. Violation of this Section shall be punishable by a minimum fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
L. 
Dissolution Of Residential Permit Parking Designation.
1. 
Any member of the City Council, through the Mayor, or the Mayor may initiate a request for the dissolution of a residential permit parking zone within the City.
2. 
Upon initiation, the Engineering Department shall notify the residents of the residential permit parking zone regarding the proposed dissolution ordinance and upcoming public hearings prior to approval of the ordinance.
3. 
Upon passage of an ordinance of dissolution, the Department of Public Works will remove any relevant signage on affected streets, and notifications will be sent to every address within the formerly eligible area informing them that the residential permit parking zone has been dissolved.