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Parking Ordinances
The following is only a portion of the City ordinances that deal with parking and are the most commonly used. There may be additional ordinances that apply to your situation. Please call 612-782-3350 if you are looking for additional information about parking in St. Anthony.
(A) Rights-of-way. No person may drive upon or across, stop, leave standing, or park a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon any boulevard or other portion of a public right-of-way abutting the traveled portion of a roadway. This prohibition will not apply to driveways which give access from a roadway. In the event of an emergency resulting from vehicle failure in an area where the parking is prohibited, the vehicle operator must attempt where practical to move the vehicle off the traveled portion of the roadway. A clear and unobstructed width of at least 15 feet of the traveled part of the roadway opposite the standing vehicle must be left for the free passage of other vehicles.
(B) Obstruction of mail boxes. No person may park a vehicle so as to obstruct a mail box.
(C) Order to proceed. No person may stop or park a vehicle on a roadway when directed or ordered to proceed by a police officer.
(D) Signs and posting. No person may stop or park a vehicle at any place where official signs prohibit the stopping or parking. When a roadway is temporarily posted by order of the police for the purpose of traffic control, removal of snow, ice, or waste, maintenance, or improvement or otherwise, evidence of the posting constitutes prima facie evidence of the order of the police and notice of same.
(1993 Code, § 910.01) Penalty, see § 10.99
PRIVATE PARKING LOTS
No person may operate a motor vehicle on semi-public property in violation of any official sign, or operate at a speed greater than is safe and reasonable under the conditions then existing, and in no event at a speed in excess of 15 mph. Parking of vehicles on semi-public property must conform to any designated stalls or positions for parking. No vehicles may be parked or allowed to stand in an area designated or used as a lane for moving traffic so as to interfere with the movement of traffic. The Police Department may post signs at any entrance to semi-public property from a roadway to designate 1-way traffic for entrance or exit, and the driver of any vehicle entering or leaving the semi-public property must comply with any 1-way sign so posted.
(1993 Code, § 915.01) Penalty, see § 10.99
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. A motor vehicle which:
(1) Has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on public property illegally or without vital operating component parts;
(2) Has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the person who controls the property;
(3) Remains on private property, is not in a garage and is in such an inoperable condition that it has no substantial potential further use consistent with its usual functions; or
(4) Has been impounded and not reclaimed by its owner within the period prescribed in this section.
CITY IMPOUND. The person or company designated by the Manager to be responsible for towing and storage of vehicles impounded by the city.
MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. A vehicle as defined in M.S. § 169.01, Subd. 1, as it may be amended from time to time, which is powered all or in part by a motor or engine.
VITAL COMPONENT PARTS. Those parts of a motor vehicle essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle, including, but not limited to, the motor, drive train, and wheels.
(1993 Code, § 920.01)
The following motor vehicles may be impounded by the city impound at the direction of any police officer:
(A) Any unoccupied motor vehicle found in violation of any provision of any traffic or parking provision of this code or resolution of the city, or any disabled or abandoned motor vehicle;
(B) A motor vehicle tagged by a police officer to be impounded, unless the owner or operator of the vehicle appears before the tagged vehicle has been towed, in which case the vehicle will be released without the payment of any fee, other than towing or service charges already incurred; and/or
(C) A motor vehicle directed by a police officer to be impounded because the officer considers possession of the vehicle necessary in the prosecution of a person for violation of law.
(1993 Code, § 920.02)
Any vehicle directed to be impounded, from the time it is in possession of the city impound until the time it is released, will be considered to be in the custody of the law. No work may be done on the vehicle by the city impound, nor may the city impound permit anyone to do any work on the vehicle or remove any part, or change or repair any part.
(1993 Code, § 920.03)
(A) Notice of impoundment. When a motor vehicle has been impounded, the Police Department will give notice of the impoundment within 10 days after it is taken into custody. The notice will set forth the date and place of the taking, the year, make, model, and serial number of the vehicle and the place where the vehicle is being held. The notice will inform the owner and any readily identifiable lienholders of their right to reclaim the vehicle, and state that failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the prescribed time period will be deemed a waiver by them of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and a consent to the sale of the vehicle at public auction or by sealed bid. When a motor vehicle is more than 7 model years of age, is lacking vital component parts, and does not display a license plate currently valid in Minnesota or any other state or foreign country, it will immediately be eligible for sale at public auction or by sealed bid, and will not be subject to the notification provided herein.
(B) Notice sent by mail. The notice will be sent by mail to the registered owner, if known, of the impounded vehicle and to all readily identifiable lienholders of record. If it is not reasonably possible to determine the identity and address of the registered owner and all lienholders or record, the notice will be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was abandoned.
(C) Right to reclaim. The owner or any lienholder of an impounded motor vehicle has a right to reclaim the vehicle upon payment of all towing, storage, and impounding charges resulting from taking the vehicle into custody. The reclamation must occur within 15 days after the date the notice was given. Reclamation may not occur when the police consider the retention of the vehicle necessary for the prosecution of any person for violation of law. The city impound will provide to the Manager a schedule of charges acceptable to the Manager for the towing, storage and impounding of vehicles, and the schedule will be kept in the Police Department. Upon receipt of the release payment, the city impound will release the vehicle by a written release stating the date of the release, together with the enumerated charges and the purpose for which the charges were made. The release must be made in 1 original and 3 copies, all of which must be signed by the city impound and the owner of the vehicle to whom the release is made. The city impound is to retain the original of the release, deliver 1 copy to the owner of the vehicle, 1 copy to the Police Department, and 1 copy to the City Manager.
(D) Sale of vehicle. An impounded motor vehicle subject to sale under this subchapter may be sold to the highest bidder at public auction or sale or by sealed bid, following published notice of the sale. The purchaser will be given a receipt in a form prescribed by law, which will be sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle. The receipt will also entitle the purchaser to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership. The proceeds of the sale of a motor vehicle will be used to pay the cost of towing, storage, and impounding the vehicle, all notice and publication costs, and all other costs reasonably incurred by this city with respect to the vehicle. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale will be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder for 90 days, and thereafter will be deposited in the state treasury. If no bid is received for an abandoned motor vehicle, the vehicle may be disposed of in accordance with division (E) below.
(E) Disposal of vehicles not sold at public sale. The city may contract with any person licensed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the collection, storage, incineration, volume reduction, transportation, or other services necessary to prepare abandoned motor vehicles and other scrap metal for recycling or other methods of disposal. Where no bid has been received for an abandoned motor vehicle, the city may dispose of the vehicle pursuant to the contract.
(1993 Code, § 920.04)
Traffic tags will be used by police officers when directing the towing and impounding of a vehicle. The tag is to be in the form prescribed by the Chief of Police and will include the make and license number of the vehicle tagged, the date and time of the offense, the nature of the offense charged, and any further information which the Chief of Police deems necessary and advisable. The police officer will, if possible, await the arrival of a tow truck. When a vehicle is towed and impounded, it is the duty of the city impound to keep a “tow sheet” on a form furnished by the Manager, on any tows. The tow sheet must give the description of the vehicle, with an inventory of any personal property visible in the vehicle at the time of the arrival of the vehicle at the city impound. The description and inventory must include the make and license number of the vehicle and the time of arrival at the city impound, together with a statement of information as may be necessary to describe the vehicle and property. All tow sheets will be consecutively numbered. The original and 1 copy of each tow sheet must be delivered to the Police Department, which will deliver a copy to the City Manager.
(1993 Code, § 920.05)
Whenever it is found necessary under any section of this code or state law to remove a vehicle illegally parked on a roadway, any police officer is hereby authorized to provide for the removal of the vehicle to the nearest convenient garage, impound lot, or other place of safety.
(1993 Code, § 920.06)
(A) No person shall park a vehicle on any city street for a period of 48 hours, commencing immediately after 2 inches or more of continuous snowfall, or until snow removal has been completed curb to curb.
(B) Whenever it is necessary to the proper direction control, regulation of traffic, plowing and/or the removal of snow, ice, or waste, or maintenance or improvement of any highway or street to remove any vehicle standing on a highway or street in the city, then any police officer is authorized to provide for the removal of the vehicle and have the same removed to the nearest convenient garage or other place of safety. The cost of removal and storage of the vehicle will be charged to the owner of the vehicle, and to the person causing the violation.
(1993 Code, § 920.07) (Am. Ord. 08-005, passed 5-27-2008) Penalty, see § 10.99
If any vehicle is left standing for a period in excess of 24 hours, then the vehicle may be deemed a traffic impediment, and a police officer is authorized to provide for the removal of the vehicle.
(1993 Code, § 920.08)
§ 72.01 CERTAIN STOPPING AND PARKING PROHIBITED.
(A) Rights-of-way. No person may drive upon or across, stop, leave standing, or park a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon any boulevard or other portion of a public right-of-way abutting the traveled portion of a roadway. This prohibition will not apply to driveways which give access from a roadway. In the event of an emergency resulting from vehicle failure in an area where the parking is prohibited, the vehicle operator must attempt where practical to move the vehicle off the traveled portion of the roadway. A clear and unobstructed width of at least 15 feet of the traveled part of the roadway opposite the standing vehicle must be left for the free passage of other vehicles.
(B) Obstruction of mail boxes. No person may park a vehicle so as to obstruct a mail box.
(C) Order to proceed. No person may stop or park a vehicle on a roadway when directed or ordered to proceed by a police officer.
(D) Signs and posting. No person may stop or park a vehicle at any place where official signs prohibit the stopping or parking. When a roadway is temporarily posted by order of the police for the purpose of traffic control, removal of snow, ice, or waste, maintenance, or improvement or otherwise, evidence of the posting constitutes prima facie evidence of the order of the police and notice of same.
(1993 Code, § 910.01) Penalty, see § 10.99
PRIVATE PARKING LOTS
§ 72.15 REGULATIONS.
No person may operate a motor vehicle on semi-public property in violation of any official sign, or operate at a speed greater than is safe and reasonable under the conditions then existing, and in no event at a speed in excess of 15 mph. Parking of vehicles on semi-public property must conform to any designated stalls or positions for parking. No vehicles may be parked or allowed to stand in an area designated or used as a lane for moving traffic so as to interfere with the movement of traffic. The Police Department may post signs at any entrance to semi-public property from a roadway to designate 1-way traffic for entrance or exit, and the driver of any vehicle entering or leaving the semi-public property must comply with any 1-way sign so posted.
(1993 Code, § 915.01) Penalty, see § 10.99
REMOVAL OF ABANDONED VEHICLES AND ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES
§ 72.30 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE. A motor vehicle which:
(1) Has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on public property illegally or without vital operating component parts;
(2) Has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on private property without the consent of the person who controls the property;
(3) Remains on private property, is not in a garage and is in such an inoperable condition that it has no substantial potential further use consistent with its usual functions; or
(4) Has been impounded and not reclaimed by its owner within the period prescribed in this section.
CITY IMPOUND. The person or company designated by the Manager to be responsible for towing and storage of vehicles impounded by the city.
MOTOR VEHICLE or VEHICLE. A vehicle as defined in M.S. § 169.01, Subd. 1, as it may be amended from time to time, which is powered all or in part by a motor or engine.
VITAL COMPONENT PARTS. Those parts of a motor vehicle essential to the mechanical functioning of the vehicle, including, but not limited to, the motor, drive train, and wheels.
(1993 Code, § 920.01)
§ 72.31 VEHICLES IMPOUNDED.
The following motor vehicles may be impounded by the city impound at the direction of any police officer:
(A) Any unoccupied motor vehicle found in violation of any provision of any traffic or parking provision of this code or resolution of the city, or any disabled or abandoned motor vehicle;
(B) A motor vehicle tagged by a police officer to be impounded, unless the owner or operator of the vehicle appears before the tagged vehicle has been towed, in which case the vehicle will be released without the payment of any fee, other than towing or service charges already incurred; and/or
(C) A motor vehicle directed by a police officer to be impounded because the officer considers possession of the vehicle necessary in the prosecution of a person for violation of law.
(1993 Code, § 920.02)
§ 72.32 STORAGE OF IMPOUNDED VEHICLES.
Any vehicle directed to be impounded, from the time it is in possession of the city impound until the time it is released, will be considered to be in the custody of the law. No work may be done on the vehicle by the city impound, nor may the city impound permit anyone to do any work on the vehicle or remove any part, or change or repair any part.
(1993 Code, § 920.03)
§ 72.33 DISPOSITION OF IMPOUNDED VEHICLES.
(A) Notice of impoundment. When a motor vehicle has been impounded, the Police Department will give notice of the impoundment within 10 days after it is taken into custody. The notice will set forth the date and place of the taking, the year, make, model, and serial number of the vehicle and the place where the vehicle is being held. The notice will inform the owner and any readily identifiable lienholders of their right to reclaim the vehicle, and state that failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the prescribed time period will be deemed a waiver by them of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and a consent to the sale of the vehicle at public auction or by sealed bid. When a motor vehicle is more than 7 model years of age, is lacking vital component parts, and does not display a license plate currently valid in Minnesota or any other state or foreign country, it will immediately be eligible for sale at public auction or by sealed bid, and will not be subject to the notification provided herein.
(B) Notice sent by mail. The notice will be sent by mail to the registered owner, if known, of the impounded vehicle and to all readily identifiable lienholders of record. If it is not reasonably possible to determine the identity and address of the registered owner and all lienholders or record, the notice will be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was abandoned.
(C) Right to reclaim. The owner or any lienholder of an impounded motor vehicle has a right to reclaim the vehicle upon payment of all towing, storage, and impounding charges resulting from taking the vehicle into custody. The reclamation must occur within 15 days after the date the notice was given. Reclamation may not occur when the police consider the retention of the vehicle necessary for the prosecution of any person for violation of law. The city impound will provide to the Manager a schedule of charges acceptable to the Manager for the towing, storage and impounding of vehicles, and the schedule will be kept in the Police Department. Upon receipt of the release payment, the city impound will release the vehicle by a written release stating the date of the release, together with the enumerated charges and the purpose for which the charges were made. The release must be made in 1 original and 3 copies, all of which must be signed by the city impound and the owner of the vehicle to whom the release is made. The city impound is to retain the original of the release, deliver 1 copy to the owner of the vehicle, 1 copy to the Police Department, and 1 copy to the City Manager.
(D) Sale of vehicle. An impounded motor vehicle subject to sale under this subchapter may be sold to the highest bidder at public auction or sale or by sealed bid, following published notice of the sale. The purchaser will be given a receipt in a form prescribed by law, which will be sufficient title to dispose of the vehicle. The receipt will also entitle the purchaser to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership. The proceeds of the sale of a motor vehicle will be used to pay the cost of towing, storage, and impounding the vehicle, all notice and publication costs, and all other costs reasonably incurred by this city with respect to the vehicle. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale will be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder for 90 days, and thereafter will be deposited in the state treasury. If no bid is received for an abandoned motor vehicle, the vehicle may be disposed of in accordance with division (E) below.
(E) Disposal of vehicles not sold at public sale. The city may contract with any person licensed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the collection, storage, incineration, volume reduction, transportation, or other services necessary to prepare abandoned motor vehicles and other scrap metal for recycling or other methods of disposal. Where no bid has been received for an abandoned motor vehicle, the city may dispose of the vehicle pursuant to the contract.
(1993 Code, § 920.04)
§ 72.34 REPORTS OF POLICE OFFICERS AND CITY IMPOUND.
Traffic tags will be used by police officers when directing the towing and impounding of a vehicle. The tag is to be in the form prescribed by the Chief of Police and will include the make and license number of the vehicle tagged, the date and time of the offense, the nature of the offense charged, and any further information which the Chief of Police deems necessary and advisable. The police officer will, if possible, await the arrival of a tow truck. When a vehicle is towed and impounded, it is the duty of the city impound to keep a “tow sheet” on a form furnished by the Manager, on any tows. The tow sheet must give the description of the vehicle, with an inventory of any personal property visible in the vehicle at the time of the arrival of the vehicle at the city impound. The description and inventory must include the make and license number of the vehicle and the time of arrival at the city impound, together with a statement of information as may be necessary to describe the vehicle and property. All tow sheets will be consecutively numbered. The original and 1 copy of each tow sheet must be delivered to the Police Department, which will deliver a copy to the City Manager.
(1993 Code, § 920.05)
§ 72.35 AUTHORIZATION.
Whenever it is found necessary under any section of this code or state law to remove a vehicle illegally parked on a roadway, any police officer is hereby authorized to provide for the removal of the vehicle to the nearest convenient garage, impound lot, or other place of safety.
(1993 Code, § 920.06)
§ 72.36 PARKING DURING SNOW REMOVAL.
(A) No person shall park a vehicle on any city street for a period of 48 hours, commencing immediately after 2 inches or more of continuous snowfall, or until snow removal has been completed curb to curb.
(B) Whenever it is necessary to the proper direction control, regulation of traffic, plowing and/or the removal of snow, ice, or waste, or maintenance or improvement of any highway or street to remove any vehicle standing on a highway or street in the city, then any police officer is authorized to provide for the removal of the vehicle and have the same removed to the nearest convenient garage or other place of safety. The cost of removal and storage of the vehicle will be charged to the owner of the vehicle, and to the person causing the violation.
(1993 Code, § 920.07) (Am. Ord. 08-005, passed 5-27-2008) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.37 PARKING IN EXCESS OF 24 HOURS.
If any vehicle is left standing for a period in excess of 24 hours, then the vehicle may be deemed a traffic impediment, and a police officer is authorized to provide for the removal of the vehicle.
(1993 Code, § 920.08)