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Adams County commissioners ask staff to draft parking ordinance to curb long‑term use of county lots
Summary
County legal counsel presented two options to limit long‑term and overnight parking on county lots and said enforcement provisions would require a public hearing under Indiana law. Commissioners favored a broad prohibition on storage and overnight parking and asked staff to return with draft language and signage recommendations.
Adams County commissioners on Monday asked county staff to draft a parking‑lot ordinance aimed at preventing long‑term and overnight storage of vehicles on county property. Clayton, the county's counsel, recommended two approaches: a daytime time‑limit model with narrow exceptions or a broader prohibition on storage and long‑term parking with an overnight ban, and the board signaled a preference for the latter.
Clayton told commissioners the policy would identify which county‑owned lots are covered, set permitted users (county employees on duty, people conducting county business, county vehicles and contractors, and permit holders) and outline prohibited conduct such as using lots for permanent residential parking, inoperable/unregistered vehicles, and performing vehicle repairs. "Public hearings required," Clayton said when explaining next steps and the legal requirement for adopting enforcement provisions.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the measure responds to repeated complaints about people leaving vehicles in lots adjacent to Superior Court and other county buildings, which has in some cases reduced staff parking availability during court days. Without an ordinance, the sheriff’s office told the board it lacked authority to enforce restrictions on county lots.
What was decided: The board asked Clayton and staff to prepare draft ordinance language that leans toward a broad prohibition on long‑term parking and an overnight ban (suggested hours: 10 p.m.–6 a.m.), include recommended signage at lot entrances, and outline an enforcement and towing scheme. Fines and the specific citation mechanism were not finalized; Clayton said those details would be included in the draft and that an adoption process requires introduction at a regular meeting, a public hearing and publication per Indiana law.
Next steps: Staff will return with a draft ordinance and recommended signage and enforcement language for the board to review at a future meeting.
