Charlotte City Council recently adopted a new ordinance prohibiting parking of commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods. The following questions and answers help explain the ordinance and how it will be enforced.
What does the ordinance prohibit?
Overnight parking of large commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods. It also restricts overnight parking of light and medium commercial vehicles to no more than one per dwelling. Medium commercial vehicles must be parked on a clearly delineated driveway and cannot be parked in the public street.
Large commercial vehicles are defined as those weighing more than 13,000 pounds or those less than 13,000 pounds but with a height of more than 9.5 feet including installed accessories and/or a cargo area/work platform more than 14 feet in length.
Light commercial vehicles are defined as those weighing less than 13,000 pounds and a cargo area/work platform that is less than the height of the vehicle cab and no more than 9 feet in length.
Medium commercial vehicles are defined as those weighing less than 13,000 pounds with a cargo area/work platform that is less than 9.5 feet in height and no more than 14 feet in length.
Where does the ordinance apply?
The ordinance applies to single family detached, duplex, triplex and quadraplex dwelling units that are located in residentially zoned districts.
Are there exceptions to the ordinance?
Overnight parking of light and medium commercial vehicles is permitted, without screening, in true mixed-use developments where residential and non-residential uses occur vertically in the same building.
What is the purpose of the ordinance?
The ordinance supports the City's model vision of a clean and nuisance-free environment for all Charlotte neighborhoods. The ordinance also comes in response to citizen complaints.
What is the effective date of the ordinance?
The ordinance becomes effective April 20, 2004.
What is the penalty for violating the ordinance?
Warning tickets will be issued upon the first violation. The second violation carries a $50 fine. The third violation carries a fine of up to $200, with fines of up to $500 for the fourth violation. Fines will be imposed beginning April 20.
Who do I call to report a violation?
Violations should be reported to the Mecklenburg County Zoning Administrator at 704-336-3569. DO NOT report violations to 911.
