Placement: First Reading of Ordinances / Public Hearing
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Ordinance 25-83, Public Hearing, Chapter 72 - Vehicle Stopping, Standing, and Parking - Text Amendment
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Submitted By: Carmen A. Capezzuto, Director, Neighborhood Services Department
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of safe, clean, and beautiful.
Executive Summary (General Business): This ordinance proposes a city-initiated text amendment to Chapter 72 of the Code of Ordinances, which governs the stopping, standing, and parking of vehicles. The amendment introduces definitions for impervious and semi-impervious driveway surfaces, adds a definition for “box truck,” removes six-wheel vehicles from the definition of commercial vehicle, and exempts six-wheel dually trucks and first responder vehicles from commercial parking restrictions. Additional changes include increasing the parking ticket fine from $25 to $50, revising standards for both open and enclosed utility trailers, and prohibiting the parking of vehicles or trailers in the rear of a property unless screened by a privacy fence at least six feet in height.
Presentation Information: Staff will provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the city-initiated text amendment to Chapter 72 of the City of Port St. Lucie Code of Ordinances as recommended.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the text amendment to Chapter 72.
2. Move that the Council provide staff direction.
Background: The Neighborhood Services Department has been reviewing ordinances and recommending updates to ensure property maintenance standards remain clear, enforceable, and responsive to community needs. NSD aims to be a leader in recognizing how the City’s growth can impact neighborhoods and how ordinances must be adjusted to address new or lingering issues to help preserve public health, safety and quality of life. This item was originally introduced during a first reading of ordinances on December 8, 2025. Discussions during that public hearing prompted staff to review language in the Zoning Code for consistency. Individual meetings with Councilmembers were conducted to review staff’s findings and receive additional feedback. While the agenda item passed at first reading, substantive changes were made to include exemptions from commercial parking restrictions for first responder vehicles. Therefore, this item is being reintroduced as a first reading of ordinances and staff will present the requested changes to Chapter 72 along with Chapter 158 of the Zoning Code.
Issues/Analysis: The Neighborhood Services Department began by researching ordinances of comparable municipalities throughout the state before gathering sections that could be adopted to improve areas of our current ordinance. After internal review, NSD staff met with several departments including the City Attorney’s Office to review and provide language for the ordinance revisions.
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: A six-month public information campaign would take place before enforcement of the new standards goes into effect.
Location of Project: N/A
Business Impact Statement: N/A
Attachments:
1. Ordinance 25-83
2. Final PowerPoint
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 25262-13
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by KeAndrea Davis, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard Berrios, City Attorney.