Legal Question in Administrative Law in Iowa

No Parking 1:00 - 5:00 AM

My city (Winterset, Iowa) has a local code banning parking in the downtown business district (DBD) between the hours of 1:00 and 5:00 am. I reside in the DBD and the closest place to park off street is over 1 block away. When asked about the ordinance, 3 different public officials gave 3 different answers. Snow removal (there is no parking on city streets ANYWHERE), street cleaning (in 2 years I have never seen a street sweeper before 6:00 am), and last but not least: ''It's just always been on the books''.

I would like to know what recourse, if any I have with the city.

I feel that there is no good reason to ban the RESIDENTS of the DBD from parking outside their homes for 4 hours a night.

I have done some research. I found that 30 years ago there were several drinking establishments in the DBD and I assume that the ordinance was put into place to deter people from leaving their vehicles overnight, leaving little room for consumers to park in the morning. (Just a theory on my part) But now there is only one drinking establishment, so I think that the ordinance is WAY outdated.

Please help. :-)


Asked on 2/27/07, 11:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Re: No Parking 1:00 - 5:00 AM

If you think the ordinance is outdated and works a hardship, you can suggest that it be modified or rescinded. The political process is well understood.

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Answered on 2/28/07, 12:42 pm


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