For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
OPERATOR
Includes every individual who shall operate a vehicle as the owner thereof or as the agent, employee or permittee of the owner.
VEHICLE
Any device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported upon a highway, except a bicycle or a device which is operated upon rails or tracks.
A. 
At any place where a traffic control sign or marking is in place indicating that parking at such place is prohibited or is prohibited during certain hours of the day or days of the week or in excess of a certain period of time or is restricted to certain vehicles or certain uses or is limited in any other respect, no person shall stand or park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain standing or parked at such place in violation of the prohibition or limitation indicated by such sign or marking.
B. 
The Town Council may designate streets and public places or portions thereof within the Town upon which or at which parking shall be prohibited, restricted or limited in such manner and to such extent as may be considered necessary by the Council for the regulation of the use of such streets and public places in the best interests of the public, and may direct an appropriate Town officer to place or cause to be placed official traffic control signs or markings at such places to give notice of the prohibitions, restrictions or limitations so imposed. Included within the meaning of this section are traffic control signs and markings, among others not specified herein, as follows:
(1) 
No parking at any time.
(2) 
No parking between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
(3) 
Two-hour parking.
(4) 
Parking prohibited except Sundays and holidays.
(5) 
No parking this side of street.
(6) 
No parking from here to corner.
(7) 
Bus stop.
(8) 
Safety zone.
(9) 
Physician parking only.
(10) 
Official cars only.
(11) 
Other prohibitions, restrictions and limitations on parking as determined by the Town Council.
C. 
In any case where, by state law, permission of the State Highway Commissioner or other state authority is required prior to erection of any traffic control device, such permission shall be obtained prior to installation of such device.
A. 
No vehicle shall be stopped on any street in such manner as to impede or interfere with or render dangerous the use of such street by another.
B. 
No vehicle shall be stopped with its left side to the curb, except upon a one-way street.
C. 
No vehicle shall be backed up to a curb, except during the time actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise therefrom.
D. 
Unless in an emergency or to allow another vehicle or pedestrians to cross in front, no vehicle shall be stopped in any street except close to and parallel with the curb, and in no instance shall such vehicles be parked less than four feet apart nor with the rear wheels further than six inches from the curb, except where parking regulations provide for parking at an angle to the curb, and excepting also when there are parking meters, in which case the vehicles must be parked within the marked-off spaces.
E. 
Vehicles shall not be stopped in such manner as to block or obstruct the orderly and lawful passage of other traffic nor within 15 feet of the ends of any obstruction opposite the vehicle. Vehicles stopped two or more abreast, parallel with the curb, shall be deemed to obstruct traffic and in violation thereof.
F. 
On all streets which now are marked with lines on the pavements indicating spaces for the parking of vehicles, the space between each two lines shall constitute parking room for only one vehicle, and no vehicle parked within such space shall be left with either wheel across a line indicating a boundary of such space.
Whenever a vehicle is left standing on an incline, it shall be so parked that when the brake is released the curb will act as a check to prevent its movement, except under its own power, or it shall be so arranged as to prevent movement upon release of brake.
No person having control or charge of a motor vehicle shall allow it to stand on any highway unattended without first effectively setting the brakes thereof and stopping its motor and, when standing upon any grade, without turning the front wheels of such vehicle to the curb or side of the street.
A. 
No person shall park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places:
(1) 
On a sidewalk.
(2) 
In front of a public or private driveway.
(3) 
Within an intersection.
(4) 
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
(5) 
On a crosswalk.
(6) 
Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, provided that where there is no crosswalk at an intersection, no person shall so park a vehicle within 20 feet from the intersection of curblines or, if none, then within 15 feet of the intersection of property lines.
(7) 
Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.
(8) 
Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless a different length is indicated by official signs or markings.
(9) 
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad grade crossing.
(10) 
Within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of the entrance when properly signposted.
(11) 
Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such parking would obstruct traffic.
(12) 
On the roadway side of any vehicle parked at the edge or curb of a street.
(13) 
Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a street or highway.
(14) 
At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
(15) 
In an alley in such a position as to block the alley or the driveway or entrance to any abutting property.
B. 
No person other than a police officer shall move a vehicle into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such distance as is unlawful, or start or cause to be started the motor of any motor vehicle, or shift, change or move the levers, brake, starting device, gears or other mechanism of a parked motor vehicle to a position other than that in which it was left by the owner or driver thereof, or attempt to do so.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this chapter, the Town Council may, when in its discretion the public interest so requires, provide for angle parking on any street or portion thereof; provided, however, that such streets are marked so as to apprise an ordinarily observant person of such regulation.
Where a loading and unloading zone has been set apart by the Town Council in accordance with applicable provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply with respect to the use of such areas:
A. 
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of materials in any place marked as a curb loading zone during hours when the provisions applicable to such zones are in effect. All delivery vehicles other than regular delivery trucks using such loading zones shall be identified by the owner's or company's name in letters three inches high on both sides of the vehicle.
B. 
The driver of a passenger vehicle may stop temporarily in a space marked as a curb loading zone for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers or bundles when such stopping does not interfere with any vehicle used for the transportation of materials which is waiting to enter or is about to enter such loading space.
The driver of any vehicle standing at the curb in front of the entrance to any building, when not receiving or discharging passengers, freight or merchandise, shall immediately give way to the driver of any vehicle wishing to stop for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, freight or merchandise from such building.
Where a bus stop or taxicab stand has been set apart by the Town Council in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter, the following regulations shall apply as to the use thereof: No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand when such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately signed, except that the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop therein for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone.
A. 
Removal procedures.
(1) 
Whenever any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is found on the public streets or public grounds unattended by the owner or operator and constitutes a hazard to traffic or is parked in such manner as to be in violation of law, or whenever any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is left unattended for more than 10 days upon any privately owned property other than the property of the owner of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer within the Town or is abandoned upon such privately owned property without the permission of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof, any such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may be removed for safekeeping by or under the direction of a police officer to a storage garage or area, provided that no such vehicle shall be so removed from privately owned premises without the written request of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof. The person at whose request such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer is removed from privately owned property shall indemnify the Town against any loss or expense incurred by reason of removal, storage or sale thereof. Each removal shall be reported immediately to the Police Department, and notice thereof shall be given to the owner of the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer as promptly as possible.
(2) 
The owner of such motor vehicle or trailer or semitrailer, before obtaining possession thereof, shall pay to the Town all reasonable costs incidental to the removal, storage and locating the owner of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. Should such owner fail or refuse to pay the cost or should the identity or whereabouts of such owner be unknown and unascertainable after a diligent search has been made and after notice to him at his last known address and to the holder of any lien of record in the office of the Division of Motor Vehicles of this state against the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, the Chief of Police or other officer designated by the Town Council may, after holding the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer 60 days and after due notice of sale, dispose thereof at public sale and the proceeds from the sale shall be forwarded by the selling officer to the Town Treasurer, provided that if the value of such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall be determined by three disinterested dealers or garagemen to be less than $50, which would be incurred by such advertising and public sale, it may be disposed of by private sale or junked. The Town Treasurer shall pay from the proceeds of sale the cost of removal, storage, investigation as to ownership and liens and notice of sale, and the balance of such funds shall be held by him for the owner and paid to the owner upon satisfactory proof of ownership.
(3) 
If no claim has been made by the owner for the proceeds of such sale after the payment of the above-mentioned cost of $50, the funds may be deposited to the general fund or any special fund of the Town. Any such owner shall be entitled to apply to the Town within three years from the date of such sale, and if timely application is made therefor, the Town shall pay the same to the owner without interest or other charges. No claim shall be made nor shall any suit, action or proceeding be instituted for the recovery of such funds after three years from the date of such sale.
B. 
The Town shall have the power to enter into contracts with the owner or operator of garages or places for the removal or storage of vehicles referred to in Subsection A. The contracts shall provide for the payment by the Town of reasonable charges for the removal and storage of such vehicles; shall require such owners or operators to deliver such vehicles to the owners thereof or their agents upon demand therefor, upon furnishing satisfactory evidence of identity and ownership or agency and upon payment of such removal and storage charges; and shall provide that the owners or operators of such garages or places of storage will indemnify the owners of such vehicles for injury or damage thereto resulting from the negligent removal or storage thereof, and such owners or operators shall be required to provide themselves with adequate liability insurance to cover such indemnity.
C. 
Any personal property found in any unattended or abandoned motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may be sold incident to the sale of any such vehicle as authorized in Subsection A.
No person shall stand or park a vehicle on any private lot or lot area without the express or implied consent of the owner thereof. Whenever signs or markings have been erected on any lot or lot area contiguous or adjacent to a street, thoroughfare or alley indicating that no vehicles are permitted to stand or park thereon, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle across any curb or lot line or over any driveway from a street or alley into such lot or area for the purpose of standing or parking such vehicle, or for any person to stop, stand or park any vehicle in such lot or lot area.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to leave any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof on the private property of any other person without his consent.
B. 
Upon complaint of the owner of the property on which such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof has been abandoned for more than five days, such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof may be removed by or under the direction of a police officer to a storage garage or area, provided that the person at whose request such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof is so removed shall indemnify the Town against any loss or expense incurred by reason of removal, storage or sale thereof.
C. 
In the case of the removal of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof from private property, when the same cannot be readily sold, such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer or part thereof may be disposed of in such manner as the Town Council may provide.
D. 
In all other respects the provisions of § 190-29A shall apply to such removals, provided that disposal of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer may, at the option of the Town Council, be carried out under either the provisions of § 190-29A or the provisions of this section after a diligent search for the owner, after notice to him at his last known address and to the holder of any lien of record in the office of the Division of Motor Vehicles of this state against such motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer and after the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer has been held at least 60 days.
E. 
The Division of Motor Vehicles shall be notified of the disposition of any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer under § 190-29A or the provisions hereof.
[Amended 3-12-1986; 11-13-1996]
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep, except within a fully enclosed building or structure, on any property located in any residential or commercial zoned district, more than one motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer, as such are defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, which is inoperative. Such single inoperative vehicle must be fully screened from view by plantings, fencing or a professionally manufactured car cover.
B. 
As used in this section, an "inoperative motor vehicle" shall mean any motor vehicle which is not in operating condition or which for a period of 60 days or longer has been partially or totally disassembled by removal of tires and wheels, the engine or other essential parts required for operation of the vehicle or on which there are displayed neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal.
C. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to a licensed business which, on June 26, 1970, is properly zoned and is regularly engaged as an automobile dealer, salvage dealer or scrap processor.
D. 
The owners of property zoned for residential or commercial purposes shall, at the demand of the Town Council or its designated agent, remove from their property any such unlawful inoperative motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers that are not kept within a fully enclosed building or structure. Notice of the demand shall be sent to the property owner by first class mail to the owner's address as it appears in the Town tax records. In the event that the inoperative vehicle has not been placed in a fully enclosed building or structure, fully screened from view by plantings, fences or a professionally manufactured car cover, or removed from the property within 10 days from the date the notice was sent, then the Town or its designated agent may remove the inoperative vehicle and thereafter dispose of the same upon furnishing the vehicle owner with 10 days' written notice. If the vehicle owner cannot be determined, the property shall be disposed of in accordance with Town Code § 190-29 et seq.
E. 
The cost of inoperative vehicle removal, storage and/or disposal shall be charged to the owner of the vehicle or the owner of the premises and may be collected by the Town as taxes and levies are collected. Every cost authorized by this section which is assessed against the owner of the premises shall constitute a lien against the property from which the vehicle was removed, the lien to continue until actual payment of such costs has been made to the Town.
In any prosecution charging a violation of any parking regulation contained in this article, proof that the vehicle described in the complaint, summons or warrant was parked in violation of such regulation, together with proof that the defendant was at the time of such parking the registered owner of the vehicle, as required by Chapter 6 of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia, shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that such registered owner of the vehicle was the person who parked the vehicle at the place where, and for the time during which, such violation occurred.
A. 
Upon ascertaining that a vehicle is parked in violation of this article, it shall be the duty of police officers of the Town, acting in accordance with instructions issued by the Mayor, to report:
(1) 
The place at which the violation occurs, including the number of the parking meter, if any.
(2) 
The state license number of such vehicle.
(3) 
The time during which such vehicle has been parked in violation of any of the provisions of this article.
(4) 
Any other facts a knowledge of which is necessary to a thorough understanding of the circumstances attending such violation.
B. 
Each police officer filing a report as required in Subsection A shall attach to the vehicle in question a notice to the owner or operator thereof that such vehicle has been parked in violation of a provision of this article and instructing such owner or operator to report at the Town Office in regard to such violation, provided that if the owner or operator of such vehicle is then and there present in person, such notice may be served on him personally.