ARTICLE 534

Residential Permit Parking

534.01 Purpose.
534.02 Residential Permit Parking Program.
534.03 Designation of Central Business District.
534.04 Designation Criteria.
534.05 Designation Process.
534.06 Issuance of Parking Permits.
534.07 Display of Permit.
534.08 Permit Parking Exemption.
534.09 Application for and Duration of Permit
534.10 Permit Fees.
534.11 Revocation of Permit.
534.12 Residential Parking Permit Areas.
534.13 Regulations and Procedures.
534.99 Penalties.

CROSS REFERENCES

Parking meters - See TRAF. Art. 533
Parking Authority Law, Act of June 5, 1947 (P.L. 458)

534.01 PURPOSE.

The City Council of the City of Bethlehem considers it to be in the interest of the citizens of the City of Bethlehem to provide for the establishment of a Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program in order to alleviate the hardship experienced by residents in obtaining on-street parking space, to preserve the residential quality of neighborhoods and to provide for improvement in air quality. The powers and duties as contained in this Article shall be performed by the Parking Authority.

534.02 RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING PROGRAM.

The Parking Authority is hereby authorized to designate, as herein provided, certain streets and other public areas within the City of Bethlehem as Residential Permit Parking areas in which resident vehicles displaying valid parking permits may stand or be parked without limitation by parking time restrictions established by this Article. Vehicles not displaying valid parking permits may stand or be parked for a limited time not to exceed the time specified upon adequately posted signs.

534.03 DESIGNATION OF CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

The Central Business District as used in this Ordinance is defined as follows:

(a) On the north side of the Lehigh River, the area bounded on the west by Main Street, on the north by Union Boulevard, on the east by Linden Street and on the south by Church Street.

(b) On the south side of the Lehigh River, the area bounded on the north by Third Street, on the east by Hayes Street, on the south by Morton Street and on the west by the streets of Brodhead to Fourth to Broadway to Wyandotte to Third.

534.04 DESIGNATION CRITERIA

A residential area shall be deemed impacted and thereby eligible for Residential Permit Parking provided that the following criteria are satisfied:

(a) In areas zoned other than Central Business District, the following criteria must be met:

(1) At least fifty (50%) percent of the street level, front footage use is residential or non-business related.

(2) During any period between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. on weekdays, except holidays, the number of vehicles parked and/or standing, legally or illegally, at on-street parking spaces is equal to seventy (70%) percent or more of the legal on-street parking capacity of the area. For purposes of this evaluation, a legal parking space shall be twenty (20) linear feet.

(3) During the same time period as specified above, twenty-five (25%) percent or more of the vehicles parking and/or standing, on the streets in the area are not registered in the name of a person residing within three (3) blocks, with the exception of those vehicles registered to residents living on
an adjacent street having been zoned RPP, within a three (3) block area who are otherwise eligible for permits.

(4) On streets where there are parking meters and/or time restricted parking in Section 534.04 (a) (2) and (3) are not criteria for designation.

(b) In areas zoned Central Business District, the following criteria must be met:

(1) At least seventy (70%) of the street level front footage abutting the street designated have a residential or non-business related use.

(2) During any period between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. on weekdays except holidays, at least seventy (70%) percent of all occupied on-street parking spaces are occupied by vehicles registered in the name of a person residing within a three (3) block distance of the location at which the vehicle is parked.
(Ord. 3896. Passed 7/7/98.)

534.05 DESIGNATION PROCESS.

(a) If the area in question is not an approved Residential Permit Parking Zone and a majority of residents have requested to be a Residential Permit Parking zone or if the Parking Authority determines the criteria are met then the Parking Authority will schedule and administer a public hearing. Notice of said public hearing shall be conspicuously posted by the Parking Authority at points deemed sufficient by the Parking Authority within the proposed Residential Permit Parking zone to notify potentially interested citizens. The affected area shall be posted at least one (1) week prior to the date of the hearing. On the basis of testimony taken, and in consideration as to whether the criteria set forth in 534.04 has been met, the Parking Authority shall or shall not recommend to City Council the designation of the area as an official Residential Permit Parking area. The area in question shall not be an approved residential permit parking zone until City Council approves by resolution the designation of the area for inclusion into the residential permit parking program. (Ord. 3432 - Passed 9/17/91.)

(b) On blocks or portions thereof within a Residential Parking Permit zone where parking meters and/or time restricted parking already exists, the Parking Authority may designate the area as a Residential Permit Parking
block.
(c) On blocks or portions thereof within a Residential Parking Permit zone where no parking meters and/or time restricted parking exists, the following process is to be followed:

(1) A block or portion thereof may be considered as a potential residential parking block or portion thereof upon the receipt by the Parking Authority of verified petitions from the residents of that block or portion thereof. A separate petition must be filed for each block.

(2) The Parking Authority shall in its discretion conduct surveys of potential residential parking blocks to determine the following:

(a) The number of legal on-street parking spaces available on each block in the area.

(b) The number of legal on-street spaces occupied by parked vehicles during an average week-day on each block in the area. Two (2) surveys will be made on different days of the week and at different times of the day. One observation will be made in the early part of the day and the other later in the day.

(c) The number of parked vehicles in the block which are registered to addresses of persons who do not live in the area.

(3) If all designation criteria for a particular block has been satisfied, the Parking Authority shall cause to be erected, signs on the designated block indicating that parking beyond the stipulated number of hours is by permit only.

534.06 ISSUANCE OF PARKING PERMITS.

The Parking Authority may issue appropriate permits and shall cause parking signs to be erected in the area indicating the times and conditions under which parking shall be allowed. A permit shall be issued upon application and payment of the applicable fee, only to the owner or operator of a motor vehicle registered at an address in the appropriate Residential Permit Parking area. Any applicant having outstanding parking violations shall provide evidence of payment or pay said outstanding parking violations prior to the issuance of a permit. A separate permit shall be required for each motor vehicle. Commercial vehicles exceeding a gross weight of 10,000 pounds are not eligible for permits. Eligibility for a permit shall be as follows:

(a) Residents - The resident must prove residency and vehicle ownership or evidence of having a leased or company owned vehicle. A separate application shall be required for each vehicle and each application shall be accompanied by a permit fee.

(b) Visitors - Special permits may be issued to visitors for a period of time not to exceed fourteen (14) days in any calendar year. No resident of a Residential Permit Parking area shall be issued more than two (2) visitor permits at any time.

(c) Students - The Parking Authority shall develop, from time to time, regulations to provide for students residing in Residential Permit Parking areas who are operators of motor vehicles not registered in the appropriate Residential Permit Parking area; provided, however, that said permits shall not exceed two (2) per residential address.

(d) Employees or Business Owner/Operator - The Parking Authority shall from time to time develop regulations to provide for the issuance of permits to those persons who provide proof of employment and/or business ownership in the City of Bethlehem, who are operators of motor vehicles not registered in the appropriate Residential Permit Parking Area; provided, however, that the number of spaces available for permits will not exceed 60% of the vacant parking spaces per block to be determined from time to time after completed surveys and provided further that said permits will not be valid for areas where meters are located and will be valid only from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays. (Ord. 3322 §1. Passed 3/6/90.)

(e) Summer Students - May be issued to students and shall be valid from June 1 through and including August 31 of the issue year designated. Summer permits shall not exceed two (2) per residential address.

(Ord. 3896. Passed 7/7/98.)

(f) Special Permit - Permits may be issued to persons living upon a residential street in the Residential Permit Parking Zone provided such persons are employed on a full time basis within the City of Bethlehem and such persons maintain permanent residence outside the City of Bethlehem. The person requesting such permit must provide proof of full-time employment within the City of Bethlehem either by producing current pay documentation indicating their weekly/bi-weekly hours of employment, and/or a statement from their employer verifying their full-time employment within the City of Bethlehem. Further, such person shall produce an additional form of identification verifying the address at which they are residing within the city limits of Bethlehem. (Ord. 3969. Passed 10/19/99.)

534.07 DISPLAY OF PERMIT.

Various permits to be issued shall be displayed as follows:

(a) Residents and Students - Permits for residents and students shall be displayed inside the vehicle on the lower left corner of the rear window (driver's side). An exception to this placement location can be made if the vehicle's structure does not allow for proper placement or visibility. The alternate location must be approved by the Authority.

(b) Employee/Business Owner - Permits for Employees/Business Owners shall be displayed on the side rear window behind the driver. An exception to this placement location can be made if the vehicle's structure does not allow for proper placement or visibility. The alternate location must be approved by the Authority. (Ord. 3322 §2. Passed 3/6/90.)

(c) Visitor Permit, Contractor, and All-City Permits - Are hang-tag type permits which shall be displayed by hanging from the rearview mirror.

(d) Summer Student Permits - shall be displayed inside the vehicle on the lower left corner of the rear window (driver's side). An exception to this placement location can be made if the vehicle's structure does not allow for proper placement or visibility. The alternate location must be approved by the Authority.
(Ord. 3986. Passed 7/7/98.)

534.08 PERMIT PARKING EXEMPTION.

A resident vehicle on which is displayed a valid parking permit as provided for herein shall be permitted to stand or be parked in the Residential Permit Parking area for which the permit has been issued without being limited by time restrictions established pursuant to this Article. However, said resident's vehicle shall not be exempt from parking restrictions or prohibitions established pursuant to authority other than this Article including Article 531, Stopping and Parking, Street Sweeping, of the Codified Ordinances as well as loading zones, five minute parking zones, handicapped zones and other special parking restrictions. All other motor vehicles parked within a Residential Permit Parking area shall be subject to the time restrictions adopted as provided in this Article as well as the penalties provided for herein.

A Residential Parking Permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder thereof an on-street parking space within the designated Residential Permit Parking area.

534.09 APPLICATION FOR AND DURATION OF PERMIT.

Residential, student (excluding summer permits), and employee/business permits shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance. Permits acquired after the normal renewal period shall be pro-rated accordingly. Permits may be renewed annually upon reapplication in the manner required by the Parking Authority. Each application or reapplication for a parking permit shall contain information sufficient to identify the applicant, his residence address or address of real property owner or leased within a Residential Parking area, vehicle registration for which application is made and proof of financial responsibility, and such other information that may be deemed relevant by the Parking Authority. If a resident sells or otherwise transfers a vehicle bearing a removable parking permit, he shall remove the sticker before transfer and return it to the Parking Authority. If a resident sells or otherwise transfers a vehicle bearing a non-removable permit parking sticker he shall provide the Parking Authority with proof of the transfer and an affidavit attesting to the non-use of the sticker. The Parking Authority shall in either case provide, at no cost, a new sticker which shall expire at the same time as the original sticker. The provisions of this Section
shall also apply for permits issued to Employee/Business Owners pursuant to Section 534.06 of this Ordinance.

(Ord. 3322 §3. Passed 3/6/90; Ord. 3896. Passed 7/7/98.

534.10 PERMIT FEES.

Various parking permit fees shall be as follows:

(a) Residents/Students - The initial cost for Residential Parking Permit, including those who are students residing in Residential Parking Permit Areas who are operators of motor vehicles not registered in the appropriate Residential Permit Parking Area shall be $20.00, and for each annual renewal, the cost will be $10.00.

(b) Employee/Business Owner - The initial cost for each Employee/Business Owner will be $50.00, and each renewal will be $40.00. A deposit of $10.00 will be required for each permit issued, which will be refunded when the permit holder moves from the area or otherwise relinquishes his or her space.

(c) Special Permit - The initial cost for each Special Permit shall be
$20.00, and each renewal thereof shall be $10.00. (Ord. 3969. Passed 10/19/99.)

The Parking Authority may make such changes to said fees, from time to time, as it sees fit. (Ord. 3322 §4. Passed 3/6/90.)

534.11 REVOCATION OF PERMIT.

The Parking Authority is authorized to revoke the Residential Parking Permit of any person found to be in violation of this Article and, upon written notification thereof, the person shall surrender such permit to the Parking Authority. Failure, when so requested, to surrender a Residential Parking Permit so revoked shall constitute a violation of law and of this Article.

534.12 RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT ZONES.

The following areas are to be Residential Parking Permit Zones:

(a) Residential Parking Permit Zone "A".

Area bounded on the north by Broad Street to Eighth Avenue, on the west by Eighth Avenue south to Prospect Avenue, on the south by Prospect Avenue to First Avenue and on the east from First Avenue to Broad Street. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(b) Residential Parking Permit Zone "B".

Area bounded on the north by Broad Street to Thirteenth Avenue, on the west by Thirteenth Avenue, on the south by Prospect Avenue to Eighth Avenue, north to Broad Street. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(c) Residential Parking Permit Zone "C".

Area bounded on the south by Broad Street, on the west by Eighth Avenue, on the north by Union Boulevard, on the east by First Avenue. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(d) Residential Parking Permit Zone "D".

Area bounded on the south by Broad Street, on the west by Thirteenth Avenue, on the north by Union Boulevard, on the east by Tenth Avenue. Tenth Avenue to North Street, North Street east to Ninth Avenue and Ninth Avenue south to Broad. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(e) Residential Parking Permit Zone "E"

Area bounded on the west by Monocacy Creek, on the north by Goepp Street, on the east by Center Street, on the south by Broad Street. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within the designated zone.
(Ord. 3705. Passed 8/22/95.)

(f) Residential Parking Permit Zone "F"

Area bounded on the west by Center Street, on the north by Goepp Street, on the east by Maple Street, on the south by Broad Street. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(g) Residential Parking Permit Zone "G".

Area bounded on the west by Main Street, on the south by Church Street, on the east by Center Street, on the north by Broad Street. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(h) Residential Parking Permit Zone "H".

Area bounded on the west by Center Street, on the south by Church Street, on the east by Maple Street, and on the north by Broad Street. The streets that comprise the boundary area, both sides of the street will be included within a designated zone.

(i) Residential Parking Permit Zone "I"

Area bounded on the south by East and West Goepp Street, on the west by the Monocacy Creek, on the north by Aurora Avenue to Lenox Avenue, continuing on the north by West Greenwich Street from Lenox Avenue to Linden Street, on the east by Lenox Avenue from Aurora Avenue to West Greenwich Street, and continuing on the east by Linden Street from East Greenwich Street to East Goepp Street. (Ord. 3705. Passed 8/22/95.)

(j) Residential Parking Permit Zone "J"

Area bounded north by West Third Street, on the west by Wyandotte Street, on the west by Vernon Street, on the south by West 10th Street, on the east by Carlton Avenue, on the south by West 9th Street, on the east by Montclair Avenue, on the south by West 8th Street, on the east by Brodhead Avenue, on the north by Packer Avenue, on the east by Vine Street, on the south by West Morton Street, and on the east by South New Street. (Ord. 3896. Passed 7/7/98.)

(k) Residential Parking Permit Zone "K".

On the north by East Third Street; on the east by Hayes Street, Hayes Street south to Mountain Drive, west on East Eighth Street to Hillside Avenue to Stoneman Street, south on Stoneman to First Terrace; west on Meade Street to Thomas Street, north on Thomas to Hillside, west on Hillside to Fillmore Street north to East Third Street. The entire length of First Terrace, and the 900 block of East Fifth Street are to be included in this zone. (Ord. 3339 §1. Passed 5/1/90; Ord. 4277 – Passed 10/5/04.)

(1) Residential Parking Permit Zone "L".

North by East Third Street, on the west by New Street, south to East Morton Street, east to Webster Street, south on Webster Street to Packard Avenue; Packard Avenue east to Fillmore Street; Fillmore Street north to East Third Street. (Ord. 3339 §2. Passed 5/1/90.)

534.13 REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) Time Restriction on Parking - Except as otherwise designated, on-street parking will be restricted to a one to three hour time limit on streets that now have legal, on-street parking except for metered areas. Vehicle bearing valid Residential Parking Permit stickers to this area shall be exempt from the one to three hour time limit and meter requirements. The Parking Authority will erect, or cause, to be erected, signs. These signs shall indicate the one to three hour time limit and the exclusion for vehicles with Residential Permit Parking stickers or shall indicate the exclusion of said vehicles from meter requirements. The one to three hour time limit shall be enforced at such times as the Parking Authority shall from time to time see fit.

(b) In areas with existing parking meters, operators with valid Residential Parking Permits will be allowed to be parked at meters within the designated area without the need to deposit coins.

(c) Existing Parking Regulations - All existing parking regulations shall remain in effect. These include but are not limited to: prohibited parking areas, street cleaning restrictions, five (5) minute parking areas, loading zones. Holders of Residential Permit Parking stickers will not be exempt from these regulations.

(d) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Article for a person to falsely represent himself as eligible for a parking permit or to furnish information in an application therefor.

(e) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Article for a person holding a valid parking permit issued pursuant hereto to permit the use or display of such permit on a motor vehicle other than that for which the permit is issued. Such conduct shall constitute an unlawful act and violation of this Article both by the person holding the valid parking permit and the person who so uses or displays the permit on a motor vehicle other than that for which it is issued.

(f) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this article for a person to copy, produce or otherwise bring into existence a facsimile or counterfeit parking permit in order to evade time limitations or parking applicable in a Residential Permit Parking area.

(Ord. 3896. Passed 7/7/98.)

534.99 PENALTIES.

Any person who violates any provision of this Article shall be subject to the following penalties:

(1) First violation - A fine of $100.00, or thirty days imprisonment, or both;

(2) Second violation - A fine of $200.00, or sixty days imprisonment, or both;

(3) Third and each subsequent violation - A fine of $300.00, or ninety days imprisonment, or both.

(Ord. 3260 §1. Passed 4/18/89; Ord. 3896. Passed 7/7/98.)