AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND RESTRICTING PARKING IN THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEFIELD PARK PROVIDING A PARKING SYSTEM AND IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF.

        WHEREAS, the Mayor and Board of Commissioners of the Village of Ridgefield Park desires to stem the overflow of vehicular traffic into and upon streets exclusively or primarily involving residential land uses and to prevent the overcrowding of said streets with parked vehicles operated by commuters, students or other persons whose residences are not situated on or immediately adjacent to said streets; and

      WHEREAS, the said Board of Commissioners desires to put into effect a permit parking system to prevent such overflow of vehicular traffic into and the resultant congestion in and upon said streets; and

        WHEREAS, it is the express purpose of this ordinance to reduce hazardous traffic conditions resulting from the overflow of traffic onto and the overcrowding of streets exclusively or primarily serving residential land uses with parked vehicles emanating from outside the residential area serviced by such streets in order to protect those streets and their inhabitants from polluted air, excessive noise and the trash and refuse caused by the entry of such vehicles, to protect the residents of such streets from unreasonable burdens in gaining access to their residences; to preserve the residential character of the streets; to promote efficiency in the maintenance of streets in such areas in clean and safe condition, to preserve and protect the safety of children and other pedestrians and traffic safety on said streets, to reduce air pollution and other deleterious environmental effects of vehicular commuting, to encourage reliance upon carpools and other means of mass transit, off street parking and generally to promote, preserve, and protect the peace, good order, comfort ,convenience, safety, and welfare of the citizens and inhabitants of the Village.

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners of the Village of Ridgefield Park as follows:

VILLAGE OF RIDGEFIELD PARK
COUNTY OF BERGEN
ORDINANCE NO. 197-87

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING PARKING IN THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEFIELD PARK

Section I.

A. No vehicle shall be parked on any street in the Village of Ridgefield Park between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, unless:

(1) The vehicle is owned or operated on a regular basis by a Ridgefield Park resident and the vehicle has displayed on its rear window, a current Residential parking permit; or

(2) The vehicle is owned or operated on a regular basis by a non-resident who is employed by the Village of Ridgefield Park, the Ridgefield Park Board of Education or any other entity or employer located in the Village of Ridgefield Park and the vehicle is so identified by a non-resident employee parking permit displayed on its rear window.

Section II.

A. The prohibitions set forth in Paragraph A, Section I, shall not apply to the following classifications of vehicles:

(1) Visitor�s Vehicles - a vehicle displaying a current visitor-parking permit may park provided that the operator of he vehicle is a bona fide transient guest of a resident of the Village. The visitor�s permit shall be displayed on the rearview mirror of the vehicle in such a manner as to be clearly visible by an officer enforcing parking regulations.

(2) Contractor/Service and Delivery Vehicles - Contractor, service and delivery vehicles bearing the name and address of a commercial business may park without permit during the times they are rendering service within the Village.

(3) Emergency and Utility Vehicles - Emergency vehicles, gas, electric, telecommunication, and other similar vehicles may park within the Village during the times they are rendering service or repairs within the Village.

(4) Health Care Providers - may park their vehicles within the Village during the times they are rendering assistance and/or health care service to residents of the Village. (Health care provider defined as a nurse, home health aid, physical therapist, or any other medical professional.)

Section III

A. Application for parking permits under this ordinance shall be made in writing on forms provided to the Village Clerk or his/her designee. Permits shall be granted only under the following terms and conditions:

(1) Residents - To persons who are residents, a permanent permit valid for Two (2) years shall be issued for every vehicle owned or principally operated by such person.

(2) Visitors - Two visitor permits shall be issued to each residential unit requesting them for use only by visitors to that residential unit.

(3) Non-Resident Employees - To bona fide employees of the Village of Ridgefield Park, the Ridgefield Park Board of Education or any private employer with places of employment within the Village, upon presentation of valid proof of said employment, e.g., pay stub, letter on employer�s letterhead. Permits issued pursuant to this section will remain valid for a period of two (2) years.

Section IV

A. Non-Resident Employee Parking Fee

Reserved

Section V

A. Regulations Not Exclusive

(1) The provisions of this Ordinance imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person of the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:4-138.

(2) The provisions of Ordinance 197-7, prohibiting parking during certain hours and days on certain streets shall remain in effect and the possession of a parking permit shall not be a defense to a violation of this ordinance.

(3) The creation of a residential parking permit, shall have no effect upon metered parking spaces or business parking areas within the designated areas set forth in Ordinances 197-34 and 197-52.

Parking metered spaces shall be available to all vehicles, with or without, a residential permit.

A residential parking permit shall not exempt a resident when parked in a metered space, from purchasing time from the meter, at the established rate.

Section VI

A. Penalties

(1) Any person who violates any provision of this ordinance, shall upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $50.00. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a new violation occurs or continues.

Section VII

(1) Any and all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with any of the terms and provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to such extent as they are so in conflict or inconsistent.

Section VIII

(1) It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Board of Commissioners that the actions, paragraphs, clauses and phrases of this ordinance, when adopted, are severable, and if any sections, paragraphs, clauses, sentences or provisions of this ordinance as adopted shall be declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, same shall not affect any of the remaining sections, paragraphs, clauses and phrases of this ordinance.

Section IX

This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication in the manner prescribed by law.