Bridgeport City Council Announces New Parking Rules For Commercial Vehicles, Trailers

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The Bridgeport City Council on Monday announced changes to Chapter 10.12 of the city code governing stopping, standing and parking, updating regulations for commercial vehicles, trailers and other vehicles on public rights-of-way.

Under the ordinance, large commercial vehicles are prohibited from parking, standing or being left unattended on any public street, alley or public right-of-way at any time. Exceptions apply to vehicles making deliveries, loading or unloading residential goods, disabled vehicles awaiting towing, and vehicles performing utility, emergency or other work.

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The ordinance revises parking rules for large commercial vehicles, utility trailers, tow dolly trailers and certain standard trucks. It also adds new definitions intended to provide consistent enforcement of the city's parking regulations.

The changes take effect on Thursday.

Large commercial vehicles are defined as a commercial motor vehicle that meets federal weight or passenger thresholds, including tractor-trailers and similar heavy-duty vehicles. Other new definitions include standard truck, utility trailer, tow dolly trailer and make-shift walls, which are non-factory-built sidewalls or barriers added to pickup trucks or similar vehicles.

Utility trailers must be hitched to a valid, licensed vehicle to remain parked on a public right-of-way between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Unhitched utility trailers are prohibited from parking on a public right-of-way at any time and may be towed.

Tow dolly trailers are prohibited from parking on any public street or public right-of-way, whether attached to a vehicle or towing another vehicle.

Standard trucks carrying equipment, appliances, rubbish, refuse, garbage, litter or similar materials may not be parked on public streets between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. The ordinance also prohibits standard trucks equipped with unauthorized make-shift walls from operating or parking on public rights-of-way.

The ordinance establishes the following penalties:

• Large commercial vehicles parked in violation: $250 citation.
• Standard trucks parked overnight while carrying refuse or debris, with or without make-shift walls: $125 citation.
• Utility trailers parked in violation: $125 citation. Unhitched trailers also are subject to towing.
• Tow dolly trailers parked in violation: $125 citation and towing.