No Parking on the Front Lawn Draft Ordinance

We want to know your feedback about the changes being proposed for City Ordinance Chapter 42, with language about parking vehicles on front lawns.

Please read the following draft, and use the form at the bottom of the web page to send in your comments.

The ordinance amending chapter 42 is also available in this printable format [pdf/31kb/2p] 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 42, ARTICLE IV ENTITLED STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Winston-Salem as follows:

Section 1: Sec. 42-173 Reserved is hereby written to read as follows:

Sec. 42-173 Parking of certain vehicles prohibited on front lawns.

Option One

It shall be prohibited for any person owning or having control of a motor vehicle, water craft, non-motorized camper or any trailer designed to be pulled by a motor vehicle and/or to carry a water craft, camper or motor vehicle to park or allow to be parked at any time in the front yards (between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street from the point of the dwelling that is closest to the street) other than upon an improved driveway or improved parking pad. Improved parking and driveway areas shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition, and shall not contribute to soil erosion or tree damage. Improved parking and driveway area shall be installed so as to avoid creating standing water conditions, diverting runoff onto neighboring property owners or adversely impacting storm water quality.

Option Two

It shall be prohibited for any person owning or having control of a motor vehicle, water craft, non-motorized camper or any trailer designed to be pulled by a motor vehicle and/or to carry a water craft, camper or motor vehicle to park or allow to be parked at any time in the front yards (between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street from the point of the dwelling that is closest to the street), unless the front yard(s) of the dwelling has not more than one parking and driveway area up to ten feet in width that extends from the street up to the closest point of the building wall from the street. Additional continuous improved area may be provided but the total improved parking and driveway area shall not exceed 30% of the front yard area. Improved parking and driveway areas shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition, and shall not contribute to soil erosion or tree damage. Improved parking and driveway areas shall be installed so as to avoid creating standing water conditions, diverting runoff onto neighboring property owners or adversely impacting storm water quality.

Option Three

It shall be prohibited for any person owning or having control of a motor vehicle, water craft, non-motorized camper or any trailer designed to be pulled by a motor vehicle and/or to carry a water craft, camper or motor vehicle to park or allow to be parked at any time in the front yards (between the street and a line drawn parallel to the street from the point of the dwelling that is closest to the street) unless they have obtained proper permits and unless the front yard(s) of the dwelling has not more than one parking and driveway area up to ten feet in width that extends from the street up to the closest point of the building wall from the street. Additional continuous improved area may be provided but the total improved parking and driveway area shall not exceed 30% of the front yard area. Improved parking and driveway areas shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and shall not contribute to soil erosion or tree damage. Improved parking and driveway area shall be installed so as to avoid creating standing water conditions, diverting runoff onto neighboring property owners or adversely impacting storm water quality.

For purposes of this section, “improved” means surfaced with asphalt, concrete, brick or other suitable pavers. Gravel or crushed stone may be used if gravel is at least two inches deep throughout the vehicular use areas and the vehicular use area has a visible and definable edge made of landscape timbers, metal edging, vegetation such as low shrubs or decorative grasses or similar technique to distinguish the vehicular use area from the front or corner side yard area.

The authority to enforce the provisions of this section shall be vested in the Neighborhood Services Department.

For purposes of this section, proof that the vehicle was, at the time of the alleged violation, owned by the person charged with the offense, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the vehicle was parked or left standing at the place charged by the owner; but the owner shall have the right to introduce evidence to show that the vehicle was not parked by him as charged in the complaint.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to emergency and public service vehicles whose operators are performing services for which they are responsible, nor do these prohibitions apply to vehicles belonging to persons under contract with the city to perform a public service. These exceptions, however, shall apply only when an emergency situation requires that such vehicles park in the prohibited areas.

Parking in the front yard may be allowed for a special event or circumstance but will require a permit issued by the _________________________ for such event or circumstance. Permitted events will be limited to two per year, per residence.

Section 2: Sec. 42-175 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 42-175. Civil penalties of violations of parking ordinance

(11) Violations of section 42-175 (parking of certain vehicles prohibited on front lawns) - $25.00 each vehicle.

Section 3: This ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.

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