Comments (4)

By Kim, February 2, 2010

I always tell my clients to be careful what they wish for when they get excited about a home with “no HOA!”  (homeowners’ association). I’ve seen many neighborhoods with incredibly ugly remodeling jobs, disgustingly messy and unkempt yards, and all kinds of commercial vehicles on the streets, including taxis and limos. Now Fairfax County has done something to at least help with the parked vehicle problems.

Yesterday (Feb 1) changes to Section 82-5-7 of the Fairfax County Code, which prohibits parking of commercial vehicles on streets in residential districts, became effective. The changes better define “commercial vehicles” and should improve parking enforcement of large/commercial vehicles parking on residential streets. (Parking in private driveways is not regulated by the County, but may be covered by homeowners’ or condominium owners’ rules or covenants.)

Here is a summary of the changes:

• All taxicabs and limousines must be licensed and registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a taxicab or limousine, and only one may be parked by each household.
• “Commercial vehicles”  include:
  • Any vehicle licensed as a common or contract carrier or limousine (except as above).
  • Vehicles that exceed any of these size and weight limits:
    • 21 feet long, or
    • 8 feet high including appurtenances (e.g. ladders), or
    • 8 1/2 feet wide, or
    • weighing 12,000 pounds.
    • Vehicles exempted from these size and weight limits are: commercial vehicles used by public service companies (including cable), vehicles for propane gas service, watercraft or motor homes, school buses, vehicles driven by or used for transporting persons with disabilities, moving vans (for 48 hours). These vehicles can park in a residential area unless restricted elsewhere in the Code, e.g., boats and motor homes are not allowed to park in areas that are Community Parking Districts.
  • Vehicles carrying commercial freight in plain view.
  • Trailers or semitrailers except camper, boat or single axle utility.
  • Any vehicle with 3 or more axles.
• Where a service road is adjacent to a residentially zoned area, parking restrictions apply to the side of the service road that is adjacent to the residential area except as otherwise provided in section 82-5-37(5). This allows prohibiting commercial parking on that side of the street which is zoned for a use other than residential to further the residential character of the abutting community.

The restrictions do not apply to commercial vehicles when temporarily parked while performing work or service.

Useful Links:

• Approved Code Amendment
• Notable vehicles that exceed the new restrictions (some 2009 pickup truck body styles exceed the restrictions).
• Notable vehicles that do not exceed the new restrictions.
• Field Photos: Examples of vehicles that do and do not exceed the restrictions.