The City of Alcoa Planning and Codes Department today announced new residential parking and vehicular storage regulations. At its April 14th meeting, the Board of Commissioners passed on final reading the new regulations which will go into effect on Thursday, May 14, 2009.

The new regulations are in response to numerous complaints regarding unsightly parking of numerous and various vehicles on residential property. Director of Planning Chris Hamby stated, “At some residences you can see multiple cars, boats, trailers and other vehicles parked not only in the driveways but also covering the lawn of the residence. This is an eyesore and detracts from the visual appearance of not only the individual property, but of the neighborhood as well. It compacts the soil and damages landscaping, stirs up dust, and negatively impacts the aesthetics of the area. In addition, parking a vehicle on an unimproved surface allows oil and other unwanted substances to leach into the dirt surface creating environmental issues.”

The new regulations limit the number of operable vehicles parked or stored on residential property to no more than four unless they are enclosed in a building. It further prohibits the parking or storage of any vehicle on unsurfaced areas of residential front yards and allows for no more than two trailers, golf carts, boats, or similar vehicles to be stored on unsurfaced areas of side and rear residential lots. A vehicle as defined by the ordinance is a passenger vehicle, truck, van, motorized recreational vehicle, motorcycle, camper, golf cart, travel trailer, boat trailer, car trailer, or other similar vehicle.

The penalty for violations is $50 per day that a vehicle is parked illegally. Households having more than four drivers each with their own vehicle may apply for an exemption from the City Manager. Exemptions will be applicable for up to one year from the date of their approval and will need to be renewed on an annual basis. Each driver must present a valid Tennessee driver’s license with the same address as that where the vehicle is to be parked. Copies of the new requirements may be viewed on line at www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov/vehiclestorageprivate.

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