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Alderwoman Zamaripa's ordinance adds tow trucks to residential permit ineligible list; placard/tow process outlined
Summary
The committee approved a substitute ordinance (file 241248) to add tow trucks to the list of vehicle types permanently ineligible for residential street permits. DPW explained placarding procedures (30‑day written warning, English/Spanish notices) and said vehicles remaining after the notice can be towed.
Alderwoman Zamaripa introduced a substitute ordinance (file 241248) to add tow trucks to the list of vehicles that are permanently ineligible for residential street permits. Zamaripa said commercial tow trucks frequently park overnight on dense residential streets in her district and sometimes operate as a home‑based commercial business, creating ongoing parking pressures for neighbors.
"I've had a gentleman who appears to be running his own business out of his home with a couple of tow trucks, and he keeps parking them overnight on a small densely populated city street in my district," Zamaripa said, describing the rationale for adding tow trucks to the ineligible list. DPW staff Tom Woznick and Eldridge Hill were at the table to explain technical details.
Woznick described the placard process: staff will give an English/Spanish warning placard informing the owner that if the vehicle remains on city streets within the next 30 days it may be towed. This is similar to the process used for abandoned‑vehicle complaints. Committee members confirmed that trailers have already been on the ineligible list and raised questions about space constraints for small operators who live in neighborhoods.
Alderman Westmoreland moved approval and Alderman Berghaus moved passage; hearing no objections the committee ordered the substitute adopted. Committee discussion noted the goal is to preserve scarce on‑street parking in dense neighborhoods while giving DPW enforcement authority where commercial operations repeatedly park tow trucks overnight.
