CHAPTER 72: TRUCK TRAFFIC AND ON-STREET PARKING

Section
General Provisions
72.01 Purpose
72.02 Definitions

Operation; Truck Route
72.15 Operation within the city
72.16 Designated truck route
72.17 Departure from truck route
72.18 Justification of departure

Stopping, Standing and Parking
72.30 Standing and parking
72.31 Exceptions
72.32 Stopping, standing or parking a vehicle or trailer

Administration and Enforcement
72.45 Owner’s responsibility
72.46 Notice
72.47 Enforcement
72.99 Penalty

GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 72.01 PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this chapter to protect and maintain the streets and right-of-ways within the city,
to help insure traffic and pedestrian safety, and to minimize the noise and sight pollution within the city.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004)

§ 72.02 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

DAYTIME. The period beginning one-half hour before sunrise and ending one-half hour after sunset.

DELIVERY ROUTE. The shortest street route, between a business or truck route and a delivery
point.

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT. The weight of a vehicle and the weight of its load.

INHABIT. To use as a domicile either permanent or temporary.

LARGE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. Any vehicle, with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000
pounds or carrying capacity exceeding one ton and used for the delivery of passengers, tools, or materials.

NIGHTTIME. The period beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before sunrise.

PARK or PARKING. To stand an occupied or unoccupied vehicle, other than temporarily while loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.

PUBLIC ROADWAY. A public street, alley, road, right-of-way, or other public way, including paved and unpaved portions of the right-of -way.

ROADWAY. The portion of a highway, other than the berm or shoulder that is improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

STAND or STANDING. To halt an occupied or unoccupied vehicle, other than temporarily while
loading or unloading passengers.

STOPPING. To become stationary or cease movement.

TRAILER. Semi-trailer, boat or boat trailer, recreational vehicle, house trailer, pole trailer, or any
other trailer as defined by Texas Traffic Law.

THROUGH TRUCK TRAFFIC. Large commercial trucks using truck routes.

TRUCK ROUTE. Highways, designated by the City Council, for large commercial truck travel.

VEHICLE. A device in, on, or by which a person or property may be transported on a public roadway.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004)

OPERATION; TRUCK ROUTE

§ 72.15 OPERATION WITHIN THE CITY.
It shall be unlawful for a person, firm, or corporation to operate a large commercial vehicle, upon a public roadway within the city limits, except where specifically authorized by this chapter.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

§ 72.16 DESIGNATED TRUCK ROUTE.
A person, firm, or corporation is permitted to operate a large commercial vehicle upon a public
roadway within the city limits only on the designated truck route. The designated truck route is limited
to U.S. Hwy 84, State Hwy 317, FM 3047 and FM 2416.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

§ 72.17 DEPARTURE FROM TRUCK ROUTE.
The operator of a vehicle, restricted to highways and streets designated as truck routes, may depart
from the truck routes, when it is necessary to reach a truck terminal, commercial loading dock,
commercial parking lot, or to load and unload passengers and material at a location not situated on a
truck route. The operator of the vehicle shall not leave a designated truck route until he has reached a
turning off point leading to the ultimate destination of the vehicle by the shortest practical route which
is consistent with the reasonable operation of the vehicle. Agricultural equipment may leave the
designated truck route to travel from one agricultural field to another by the shortest practical route
which is consistent with the reasonable operation of the vehicle.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

§ 72.18 JUSTIFICATION OF DEPARTURE.
A person operating vehicles restricted by this chapter upon a highway or street not designated a truck route shall have, in his or her possession for the inspection by a police or peace officer, his or her log book, delivery slip, or other evidence of his or her destination and point of origin, to justify the presence of the vehicle on the highway or street not designated as a truck route.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING

§ 72.30 STANDING AND PARKING.
(A) No person shall stop, stand or park a large commercial vehicle, trailer, or recreational vehicle on the right-of-way within the city except where specifically authorized by this chapter.

(B) Large commercial vehicles, trailers or recreational vehicles are permitted to park on improved shoulders of highway 84 (E and W McGregor Dr.) for not more than two hours if the following
conditions are met:

(1) The vehicles or trailers have current registration and/or inspections as required by state and local law.

(2) The vehicles or trailers are not considered junk vehicles as defined in this code.

(3) The vehicle or trailers parked so that it does not cause a site obstruction or safety hazard.

(4) The vehicle or trailer, when moved, must be moved to a location at least 1,000 feet from the previous parking place to be considered at a new location and legally parked for another two hours in any given 24-hour period.

(C) Construction trailers may park on the city right-of-way, directly adjacent to the construction site, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and must remain attached to a vehicle, except:

(1) Where prohibited by state law.

(2) When not displaying current registration .

(3) Where prohibited by signs.

(4) Where prohibited by another provision of this chapter.

(D) Travel trailers, camper trailers, and utility trailers used for personal noncommercial use, may be parked on the city right-of-way for the expeditious loading and unloading of passengers or material, except:

(1) Where prohibited by signs.

(2) When illegally parked:

(a) By state law.

(b) Where prohibited by another provision of this chapter.

(E) The city shall issue a permit that will allow a recreational vehicle to be parked on a residential street, when:

(1) The vehicle is parked in front of a residence or beside the residence when on a corner lot, for which a permit is issued.

(2) The property owner/occupant applies for and pays the appropriate fees for the permit.

(3) The Chief of Police or his designee approves the permit.

(4) There are no other outstanding code violations against the property for which the permit is requested.

(5) The permit is for seven days or less and no other permit has been issued in the previous six months.

(6) The vehicle must be legally parked and not interfering with other vehicle traffic.

(7) The fee for the permit shall be the $10 or the amount as prescribed in the city fee schedule.

(8) The vehicle must have current registration and current inspection.

(F) The city will allow a recreational vehicle to be parked on a residential street, without a permit, for a period not to exceed three days, when:

(1) The recreational vehicle is parked with permission of the owner of the immediately adjacent residential property.

(2) Only one vehicle may be parked at the same address in any six-month period.

(3) The vehicle must be legally parked and not interfering with other traffic.

(G) No person shall park a vehicle or trailer, on the right-of-way, for the purpose of washing, sale, repair, greasing, or servicing of the vehicle, except as necessitated by an emergency.

(H) No person shall inhabit a vehicle or trailer, at any time when the vehicle is parked on a public right-of-way located within the corporate limits of the city.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

§ 72.31 EXCEPTIONS.
(A) Emergency vehicles while responding to an emergency.

(B) Road and utility equipment during construction projects.

(C) Vehicles under a franchise agreement with the city.

(D) Federal, state, and county vehicles allowed by state law.

(E) Any vehicle complying with a traffic signal, sign or device or the directions of a peace officer,
emergency personnel, or flagman.

(F) Vehicles providing deliveries or services related to an event sponsored by the city. Before any
large commercial vehicle may leave the designated truck route for this purpose, the operator must first
obtain the express permission of the City Manager, or his designee, to do so.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

§ 72.32 STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING A VEHICLE OR TRAILER.
(A) Every vehicle and/or trailer stopped or parked upon a two way roadway shall be so stopped or
parked with the right hand wheels parallel to and within 18 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway
and facing in the direction of traffic flow.

(B) Every vehicle stopped or parked upon a one-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked parallel
to the curb or edge of the roadway, in the direction of the authorized traffic movement, with the right
hand wheels within 18 inches of the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, or the left hand wheels
within 18 inches of the left hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(C) No person shall move a vehicle, not lawfully under his control, in such a way as to make the
stopping, standing, or parking of the vehicle unlawful.

(D) No vehicle may stop, stand or park on any unimproved or grassy area of the right or use the
unimproved or grassy areas of the right of way to access a parking area.

(E) No vehicle may stop, stand or park as to impede the delivery of mail, by the United States Postal
Service. Blocking of mail delivery boxes is unlawful.

(F) No vehicle may stop, stand or park as to impede access to a private or public driveway.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

§ 72.45 OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY.
No person shall cause or permit any vehicle owned by him, registered in his name, or operated by
him to be in violation of any provision of this chapter or state law. Proof that a vehicle found parked in
violation of this chapter or state law, was registered in a person’s name, shall constitute prima fascia
evidence that the person caused or permitted the vehicle to be parked at a place where the violation
occurred.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004) Penalty, see § 72.99

§ 72.46 NOTICE.
Notice of violations of this chapter shall be signs posted in accordance with the State Traffic Code,
citations or warning citation hand delivered by police or peace officer, or by posting on the vehicle or
trailer, in the manner prescribed by the State Traffic Code.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004)

§ 72.47 ENFORCEMENT.
The Chief of Police shall be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and any police officer
or peace officer shall, under the direction of the Chief of Police, enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004)

§ 72.99 PENALTY.
Any person(s) violating any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and
fined in accordance with § 10.99 of this code.
(Ord. 28-04, passed 1-12-2004)