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City of Lexington’s CODE OF ORDINANCES for additions Chapter 8, Article III., Division 3 related to temporary parking restrictions within special event areas by Ordinance 034-2026
presenter
Presenter: Police Chief Robby Rummage
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Summary:
A governing board adopts and enforces a provision like Division 3 / Section 8-114 related to temporary parking restrictions in special event areas for practical public-safety, operational, and liability purposes. It is a standard tool in municipal codes that host festivals, parades, or large public gatherings. Special events can be described as and not limited to festivals, parades, concerts, large community gatherings could draw big crowds and create congestion. Temporary “No Parking” zones clear streets so emergency vehicles can get through quickly. Without this authority, parked cars can block fire lanes or create bottlenecks that delay response times. This is efficient for recurring events e.g., Lexington’s BBQ Festival or one-off gatherings.
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Recommendation:
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City Council consider adopting ORDINANCE 034-2026 related to Chapter 8, Article III, Division 3 to establish temporary parking restrictions within special event areas.
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CITY OF LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
ORDINANCE 034-2026
AMENDING CITY OF LEXINGTON’S CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE III, DIVISON 3 RELATED TO ESTABLISHING TEMPORARY PARKING RESTRICTIONS WITHIN SPECIAL EVENT AREAS AS SECTION 8-114
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lexington, North Carolina, shall hereby amend the City of Lexington’s Code of Ordinances as follows making certain revisions to Chapter 8, Police Administration and Provisions, Article III, Division 3 related to Cruising and unauthorized parking on private property after business hours to now include Section 8-114 establishing temporary parking restrictions within special event areas:
1) Under Article III. related to title - DIVISION 3. PARKING - CRUISING AND UNAUTHORIZED PARKING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AFTER BUSINESS HOURS
a. UNDERLINED TO ADD: PARKING - CRUISING AND UNAUTHORIZED PARKING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AFTER BUSINESS HOURS AND Establishing TempORARY Parking within Special Event Areas
2) Under Section 8-114, UNDERLINED TO ADD:
Sec. 8-114. - Temporary Parking Restrictions Within Special Event Areas.
(a) The Chief of Police shall have the authority to prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles along any street, highway, or portion thereof located within the boundaries of a special event permitted by the City of Lexington.
(b) The Chief of Police shall ensure that signs are posted within the affected area not less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the beginning of the temporary parking restriction. Such signs shall state the duration of the restriction.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to park, remain parked, or leave any vehicle unattended in violation of a temporary parking restriction established pursuant to this section.
(d) Any vehicle parked in violation of a temporary parking restriction may be towed from the restricted area upon authorization of a sworn supervisor of the Lexington Police Department if reasonable efforts to contact the owner have been exhausted, or if an immediate public safety concern requires removal of the vehicle before the owner can be contacted.
(e) To ensure that on-street parking spaces remain available for lawful parking prior to the enforcement period, temporary parking restriction signs shall not be placed within on-street parking spaces. An exception may be made for parades utilizing Main Street, where on-street parking spaces may be blocked no earlier than three (3) hours before the scheduled parade start time to discourage parking immediately preceding the event.
1. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
2. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction.
Adopted this the 14th day of September 2026.
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Jason Hayes, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Emily M. Jackson, CMC, NCCMC
City Clerk