Indian Trail adopts parking code amendment increasing commercial-vehicle fines to curb semi trucks in right-of-way

The Indian Trail Town Council voted unanimously to adopt Municipal Code Amendment MC 2025-3, a change to Title 71 (parking regulations) that increases civil penalties and adds a commercial-vehicle definition to discourage semi-tractor-trailers and other large vehicles from parking in town rights-of-way.

Brandy (town staff) told the council the amendment raises fines that have not changed in more than a decade — regular vehicle fines would move from $25 to a sliding scale ($50, $75, $100 for repeat offenders) — and commercial-vehicle fines would increase to $100. The amendment also updates the code to define "commercial vehicle" for enforcement and extends the time before a citation is due from 5 to 15 days while adding a late penalty, giving alleged offenders more time to pay but increasing the penalty for nonpayment.

The staff presentation said the change was driven by repeated instances of semi‑tractor trailers parked in the right-of-way. Brandy said deputies and code enforcement typically issue verbal and written warnings first; the goal of the ordinance change is to make the civil penalty large enough that the town can pursue collection in court for repeat offenders. A council member noted federal trucking-hour rules and regional truck-stop shortages have contributed to a national parking shortage, but also said local repeat parking for non‑transient drivers — drivers who live locally and park trailers for weekends — was the primary concern.

The council approved the amendment after a single public hearing and staff answers to questions about enforcement and signage. Town staff said they had coordinated with Union County Sheriff’s Office about the enforcement approach.

Why it matters: the amendment is intended to reduce safety and nuisance risks caused by large commercial vehicles parked in rights-of-way and to create stronger civil penalties to support collection for repeat offenders.