Drivers who park their vehicles on sidewalks, or whose car or pickup extends from a driveway over a sidewalk, are blocking walking paths.
For pedestrians who must detour into the street -- whether while pushing a baby stroller, using wheelchair or power walking -- to get past such cars can be inconvenient and perhaps dangerous.
To park that way without prior permission can be expensive: Town code officers can write a citation for $250 for vehicles that obstruct a sidewalk.
According to the municipal code Sect. 13-1508 for driveways and parking spaces at single and two-family homes, parking is not allowed on sand, lawns, in common access areas, rights-of-way, across sidewalks, or on center islands in cul-de-sacs.
Overnight parking, from midnight to 6 a.m., is not allowed on swales but is allowed on driveway approaches if the vehicle doesn’t block the sidewalk.
Unlicensed or broken-down cars may only be kept on a lot in a closed garage.
Overnight parking on a swale for 48 hours may be permitted under these emergency situations:
--Car maintenance failure or parking by a health care professional who is tending to a resident. The town may grant a hardship waiver for one car for more than 48 hours for these circumstances:
--A health care professional with documented orders to care for a resident;
--A direct family member interrelated by blood, marriage or legal adoption living in a single-family home.
--An extended overnight parking waiver may not be issued unless all over available parking spaces including the garage and driveway approach are already being used.
--If the town grants overnight swale parking, it’s for the grass in front of the principal residence.
--Otherwise, parking on swales from 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. is forbidden and drivers may face a civil fine or code compliance citation.
To read the Miami Lakes municipal code go to: https://bit.ly/4bbMYZ1.