Council holds first reading of Local Law to bar overnight parking in city parks; fees and enforcement left for later

At first reading on March 31 the Kingston Common Council introduced Local Law 2, which would add a chapter to the municipal code to prohibit unattended vehicles from remaining in city parks outside posted hours unless specifically authorized by the director of Parks and Recreation.

The draft law identifies authorized enforcement officers and parking enforcement as empowered to enforce the rules and establishes a three‑tiered fine schedule discussed in finance: $25 for a first instance, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or subsequent instance. Staff said the law would require signage and coordination with Parks & Recreation and the Department of Public Works for posting; the council noted the parks are already closed from dusk to dawn but that overnight vehicle parking currently has no clear code prohibition.

Council members asked practical questions about enforcement: whether residents should call the police or parks department when they see a vehicle, whether parking enforcement (described in discussion as KED/parking enforcement) would handle initial citations, and at what point repeated tickets could lead to towing. Staff said parking tickets under the city process could lead to towing under existing enforcement procedures, and that the item will return to finance to finalize the fee schedule and administrative details.

Because the item was at first reading, no final vote was taken on the local law during the meeting.