DEARBORN, Michigan – The City of Dearborn is stepping up enforcement of its ordinance regulating commercial vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods. The City wants to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods, commercial vehicles parked illegally in these areas are subject to $60 citations ($30 if paid within three-business days.)
In a recent four-day sweep of the City, 164 citations were issued for commercial vehicles in violation of the parking ordinance.
“Dearborn residents want a safe City where people obey the laws,” said Police Commander Jimmy Solomon.
In increasing numbers, residents have told police that their quality of life is being affected by commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, parked in their neighborhoods and along roadways.
“They tell us about big box trucks and semi-trucks, sometimes parked overnight, in driveways, side streets and even on main streets. These vehicles generate safety issues by blocking drivers’ views, as well as creating noise issues when left running,” Solomon said.
The Traffic and Motor Vehicles section of Dearborn’s Code of Ordinances states that it is “unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle on any residential street within the City or upon private property within a residential area of the City.”
Further, it is “unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle on any nonresidential street for a period of time longer than one hour between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of any day.”
People whose jobs require them to use a commercial vehicle and be on call 24-hours a day may apply for a permit through Dearborn’s Traffic Commission.
A processing fee of $50 and proof of employment are required. Details are found in Section 18-356 (Parking of Commercial Vehicles) of Dearborn’s Code of Ordinances.
Additional information may be obtained from the Dearborn Police Traffic Bureau at 943-2275.
I reside at 102 S. Rosevere in Dearborn, which is the corner of Cherry Hill and S.Rosevere. Our garage and drive way faces Cherry Hill.
On September 9th I find a posting on our storm door, a message from a Field Inspector with the Building and Safety Department, City of Dearborn, who want me to contact him in a matter regarding a commercial vehicle at our property. I call him Tuesday, September 13th and he tells me I have a commercial vehicle parked in my drive way, and that is not allowed, I try to tell him that I have no commercial vehicle, we have two cars, one 2010 Ford Fusion and a 1968 Chevrolet C10 Panel Wagon, he tells me that the Chevy is a commercial vehicle, and can not be parked in front of my garage or on the street, when I try to tell him it is not an commercial vehicle, he is getting very hard in tone and attitude telling me, if I don’t move the vehicle he will see to that I am getting fined next time he sees the vehicle in my drive way. I am trying to find out what is a commercial vehicle? And the answers are that I have graphics on the vehicle. I end the conversation after he tells me the city will take it to court and let a judge decide.
My vehicle is a Classic, a 44 year old Chevrolet C 10 Panel Wagon, only built in 96 copies, extensively customized, and the only one in Michigan, even DMV had problems when I was registration the vehicle, as there is no C10 Panel Wagon in the system, so it was registered as a wagon. The Chevy is our private vehicle, and is used as a daily driver, has no commercial connections whatsoever, and is also used to advertise a website when invited to different cruses and car collector meetings in South East Michigan
I took the time to check up what the State of Michigan consider a commercial vehicle
Sec. 7a.
“Commercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; a motor vehicle, having a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; a motor vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or a motor vehicle carrying hazardous material and on which is required to be posted a placard as defined and required under 49 C.F.R. parts 100 to 199. A commercial motor vehicle does not include a vehicle used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for non-business purposes.
I then looked at the City of Dearborn’s Sec 18-356. Parking of a commercial vehicle
a- It shall be unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle on any residential street within the city or upon private property within a residential area of the city.
b- It shall be unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle on any residential street for a period of time longer than one hour between the hours of 2:00am and 6:00 am of any day
c- This section shall not apply to commercial vehicles when the operation of such is necessary for the purpose of making deliveries, picking up persons, materials, goods, or merchandise, or providing services
d- If a breakdown of a commercial vehicle prevents its removal from any street, that vehicle shall display warning devices as set forth in section 18-440
e- For the purpose of this section, the term “commercial vehicle” shall also include a trailer used as, or customarily attached to, a commercial vehicle
f- This section shall not apply to pick-up trucks and vans utilized as family vehicles and which bear no commercial message, logo, symbol or equipment.
So this is the situation, the state does not see my vehicle as a commercial vehicle, neither does the City of Dearborn if I don’t have graphics mounted on the vehicle. I totally understand the purpose for the city to keep residents’ from parking work vans or pick up trucks full of equipment, ladders and other work related items, but to narrow it down to commercial message, logo, symbol or equipment makes it very fuzzy. If a resident have any symbol, decal or logo on a mini van, full size van or pick up truck, half the population of Dearborn are parking commercial vehicles in their drive way. ( Car license plate frames with dealers name, Harley Davidson decals, Red Wings decals, Detroit D), I can continue with schools, political messages, etc, but hope you see the that the rule is very loose, and creates different interpretations of a poorly written regulation.
To be forced to seek a Commercial Vehicle Parking Permit and pay a yearly fee for having my vehicle parked in my drive way does not make me feel good, but have at this time no other alternative, I will bring this issue in front of City Counsel, and hopefully the issue can be resolved.
I totally agree with you, and so will a judge. Your vehicle is not a commercial vehicle.