Purpose:
Establish guidelines for enforcement of on-street parking regulations.
Discussion:
Street parking is restricted in various areas to ensure fair access to parking and to expedite the flow of traffic during peak hours. Special restrictions apply to weather emergencies.
Policy:
All parking regulations will be enforced reasonably and impartially by all uniformed personnel including parking enforcement officers.
Procedure:
Time Zone Control:
Enforcement of these zones will be accomplished by the officer making two passes through the area. On the first pass the officer will note the license plate, location, time, position, and mark the vehicle by electronic or other means to document beginning position and time. On the second pass, if the vehicle is still in the same spot and the time is beyond the posted limit, a citation will be issued for overtime parking noting the time the vehicle was first checked or chalked. Any citation issued will include the officer or parking enforcement officer, employee number, as well as parking meter number.
Peak Traffic Hour Restrictions (Rush Hours):
Rush hour restrictions require full and timely enforcement. Traffic congestion increases safety hazards and rush hour restrictions are intended to reduce these hazards. Strict enforcement is absolutely required.
Tow-Away Zones:
Tow-away zones are intended to reduce safety hazards and coincide with strict enforcement. Any vehicle parked illegally in a tow-away zone is a safety hazard and must be removed immediately. Excuses and explanations may be considered on their merits after the hazard has been moved.
Weather Emergencies:
During a declared snow emergency the police department, in conjunction with the Saint Paul Department of Public Works will tag all violators of the snow emergency ordinance. Vehicles parked contrary to snow emergency restrictions are subject to towing.
No Park Zones:
Vehicles parked in no parking zones will be issued citations. Any vehicles which are presenting a safety or congestion problem may be towed.
Public and Private Parking Lots:
Officers have the same authority on public lots as they do on any public streets. Officers may issue citations to vehicles parked on private property, only for parking on private property without the owner's permission. Officer notes on the citation will state the name, contact information, position, and authority held by the complainant. The citations should not be issued unless the officers are confident that the complainant has authority over the parking lot. Private and commercial property owners may tow vehicles from their property using a private towing contractor. All private towing contractors will notify the police department of vehicles they tow from private property. Officers will also enforce fire zones and handicapped zones wherever found, public or private property.
Permit Parking Zones:
These areas are established and posted at the specific request of the residents. They expect full enforcement during the posted hours. Proper display of temporary, visitor, and permanent permits is mandatory.
General Parking Surveillance:
The citywide services section will assign parking enforcement officers to address parking complaints anywhere in the city and to monitor the permit parking areas. Parking enforcement officers will be assigned in motorized vehicles and on-foot patrol in the congested business zone. Parking enforcement officers will monitor parking meters, time zones, truck zones, rush hour zones, and no park zones and will issue citations for all vehicles found to be in violation.
Towing of Illegally Parked Vehicles:
Vehicles parked illegally in violation of state statutes or city ordinances may be towed under the guidelines in Minnesota Statute 168B.035. Vehicles deemed to be abandoned will be towed. A citation will be issued in all cases for the appropriate violation.
Vehicles in violation of scofflaw status will no longer be automatically towed unless the vehicle creates a safety hazard, is impeding traffic, or threatening public safety and convenience. If an officer is going to tow a scofflaw vehicle, the officer must provide specific details documenting the reason for the tow. The term scofflaw status will no longer be used.
Revised November 24, 2015