The Troutdale City Council recently approved revisions to Chapter 10 of the Troutdale Municipal Code (TMC). This section of the municipal code covers parking and vehicles in the City. These revisions accomplish several important goals:
- Establishes a clear, detailed process for the issuance of citations and responses by vehicle owners. The new language clearly states what information is required on the citation, what steps the vehicle owner must take to contest the citation, and what the time limit is for doing so.
- Addresses numerous long-standing complaints by citizens regarding the parking and storing of vehicles on city streets. Two common complaints we receive from citizens are vehicles left on the street for extended periods of time without moving, and the parking of “oversize commercial vehicles”, which includes trailers, boats, trucks, truck tractors, buses, motor homes, and recreational vehicles.
- Gives the City Code Enforcement Officer more clearly defined and achievable steps to impound vehicles in violation of city codes. The revised code clearly states when a vehicle may be towed with or without prior notice and it eliminates conflicting codes regarding how many days notice is required before a vehicle is impounded.
- Brings the City’s vehicle code more closely in line with State laws
- Updates wording to include modern transportation options, such as rideshares
- Addresses prior issues with vague language in the parking code, such as stating specifically “between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm” rather than “during mail delivery hours”
- Removes unnecessary duplication or conflicting information or correction standards in different chapters of the TMC
- Works in conjunction with the abatement process outlined in Chapter 8 (Nuisances) of the TMC
City staff reviewed and offered input in the effort to update this important section of the code. Several City Council hearings were held to receive and consider community feedback, which was incorporated into the revision.
If you want to report an abandoned vehicle, or have other questions or comments, please address them by email to: info [at] troutdaleoregon.gov (info[at]troutdaleoregon[dot]gov).
Want to report an abandoned vehicle in your neighborhood? This new definition will help you determine if the vehicle can be considered ‘abandoned’.
TMC 10.04.020 Abandoned vehicles
- A vehicle that has been deserted, relinquished or has one or more of the following existing conditions:
- The vehicle license plate or registration sticker has expired or has been canceled
- The vehicle has no license plate
- The vehicle has no visible vehicle identification number (VIN)
- The vehicle appears to be inoperative or disabled
- The vehicle appears to be unlawful to operate on a public street