"Can I fight City Hall?"

[TOSK]

I'm in New Jersey. I couldn’t find the appropriate forum to post this in so I posted it here.

I’m having a problem with our town and it’s resident parking ordinance. In 1995, our town amended the ordinance to include our block and several others, 24 hrs a day, seven days a week. Approximately 1 – 2 years later, the signs on our block came down, ONLY on our block. I wasn’t living at home at the time but my parents said something about business complaining.

Two months ago, while researching the resident parking ordinance I discovered that our block is still listed as 24 hrs and day, 7 days a week. Seems DPW improperly removed those signs. DPW won’t speak further with me about the matter. I wrote a letter to the councilman that oversees DPW but have not received a response.

Late last week they put up “8 to 5 Monday thru Friday” signs. Only 1 sign for my side of the block, at the very top of the block, as far away from my house as possible. I can’t help but think the same DPW that improperly took down those signs (for whatever reason) is now resisting replacing those signs (for the same reason).

Can a town make up the rules as they go along and totally ignore their own ordinances? Could a ticket issued even be enforced giving the signs don’t match the ordinance? Am I up a creek without a paddle?What is the name of your state?

 

[Zigner]

You seem to leave out what is being restricted...

 

[TOSK]

We live 1 block from a very busy commuter area, many trains and buses. Many streets from way back when were designated “Residents Only” parking. This means commuters can’t park their cars on certain streets, leave them all day, return from work, go home at night and return the next day. Our block had that parking 10 years ago but the signs (4 of them) were improperly removed. When I discovered the ordinance still designates our block as resident’s only parking. I encountered much resistance to replacing the proper signs. After much insistence, they finally put up ONE sign, the wrong sign. I’ve read how tickets can easily be beaten when info is left out/incorrect. Can a traffic ticket be enforced when the sign doesn’t match the ordinance? Can towns do anything they wish, even when its against the ordinances? Can towns single out one block, remove the signs even when the ordinance states otherwise?

 

[Zigner]

How do they know who the residents are?
See, the ordinance may be unenforceable as it is anyway.

 

[TOSK]

How do they know who the residents are?
See, the ordinance may be unenforceable as it is anyway.

Mr Zigner,

Many towns/cities across the US have resident parking ordinances. I can only speak for my town. Any resident can go to Boro Hall, prove they are a resident of town and get a sticker for their car for free. Residents of a street that has “resident parking” also get passes that visitors can use.

 

[Zigner]

Mr Zigner,

Many towns/cities across the US have resident parking ordinances. I can only speak for my town. Any resident can go to Boro Hall, prove they are a resident of town and get a sticker for their car for free. Residents of a street that has “resident parking” also get passes that visitors can use.

Congratulations -

Now, OP never mentioned stickers were required, even after he was asked for clarification.

 

[TOSK]

Congratulations -

Now, OP never mentioned stickers were required, even after he was asked for clarification.

The OP was not exploring how/whether resident parking was enforceable but if a town could arbitrarily exclude one block from the ordinance without changing the ordinance.

 

[Zigner]

The OP was not exploring how/whether resident parking was enforceable but if a town could arbitrarily exclude one block from the ordinance without changing the ordinance.

Which leads to the question of overall enforceability, which could cause the entire question to be moot...

 

[TOSK]

Which leads to the question of overall enforceability, which could cause the entire question to be moot...

Congratulations on your excellent contribution to this issue

 

[Zigner]

Congratulations on your excellent contribution to this issue

My pleasure - and I'm glad to be recognized for it Especially by someone of your stature.

 

[TOSK]

Especially by someone of your stature.

Nice to know my reputation precedes me