Parking Car on Street

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PANiCnz

990 posts

Ultimate Geek

#66325 17-Aug-2010 09:27

Hi all,

Hoping someone a bit more familiar with local council bylaws can help me out.

I live in Remuera (suburb of Auckland) and park my car on the street in a fairly quiet street. I work in central Auckland so catch the train to work most days and only use my car occasionally in the weekend, as such it can often sit un moved on the side of the road for a couple of weeks? Does anyone know if there is a local bylaw or law in general that restricts me parking my car unmoved for this period of time?

Cheers

alasta

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#368536 17-Aug-2010 09:33

I am in a similar position to you, although in a different area.

I take the bus to work so rarely use my car, and it sits on my street in Wellington often for several days without being moved. This has never been a problem as there is no posted time limit, and I would be astounded if anyone ever told me off for it as it's common practice among the residents here.

cr250bromo

222 posts

Master Geek

#368537 17-Aug-2010 09:36

Yes, I believe Auckland City Council do place limits as to how long a car can be parked on the side of the street (I forgot the exact time, maybe 14 days?). But it really depends on how much demand there is for street parking in your area and how likely the neighbours are to complain to the council about a car that's been sitting there for a long time.

If you have reasonable neighbours and there isn't much demand for parking on the street I think you will be fine. However it would be worth checking with the council as to the exact length of time. Plus going for a decent drive every week or two will be good for the car, so a good excuse to move it once in a while. :)

chiefie

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#368539 17-Aug-2010 09:38

Each locality bylaw can be slightly different.

I can't claim I know if it is a bylaw or what but generally if the car is left "abandon" then anyone can report to have it towed away; if it is creating traffic or hazard problem - e.g. the car are burnt or destroy and left abandon.

However, if it is your car, let your neighbours know that it is yours and you don't always use your car, so then they know it is not some strangers and not left abandon.

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scuwp

3886 posts

Uber Geek

#368540 17-Aug-2010 09:39

Depends on where you are parking as some streets are restricted and/or need permits. See here:

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/transport/parking/permits.asp

The general law is that the vehicle is on a "road" (being driven or not is irrelevant) therefore it must meet the legal requirements for a vehicle such as a current wof and rego/license. If thats the case then as long as it is legally parked you should not have a problem (although if its a heap of crap it might annoy your neighbours!)

Sometime however people might report it as an abandoned vehicle in which case the local council may contact you (make sure your rego details are up to date) or leave a notice on the car asking you to contact them to confirm its status.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

scotteffone

215 posts

Master Geek

#368901 17-Aug-2010 20:47

scuwp: Depends on where you are parking as some streets are restricted and/or need permits. See here:

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/transport/parking/permits.asp

The general law is that the vehicle is on a "road" (being driven or not is irrelevant) therefore it must meet the legal requirements for a vehicle such as a current wof and rego/license. If thats the case then as long as it is legally parked you should not have a problem (although if its a heap of crap it might annoy your neighbours!)

Sometime however people might report it as an abandoned vehicle in which case the local council may contact you (make sure your rego details are up to date) or leave a notice on the car asking you to contact them to confirm its status.

This is very good advice and right on the money. Lock the thread and throw away the key, work here is done!

Regs

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Snowflake

#368930 17-Aug-2010 21:30

you might also need to consider your insurance cover... check if they have any clauses that prevent you from claiming if you're always parking it on the street outside your house and it gets stolen, or broken into.

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jjmac

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#637113 7-Jun-2012 08:46

I have just been informed by a representative of Auckland City Council, Waitakere, that despite my vehicle being Warranted and registered and parked safely, not a road that has an issue with lack of street parking...because it isnt being used and has cobwebs on it and has contents in the boot (its a station wagon with a load carrier cover) then it is deemed as being used for storage and is subject to the particular bylaw and can be towed and confiscated! Stunning, there are so many variables for why your vehicle might be parked that way, you are using public transport, have a second vehicle, you have the latest flu bug, it has broken down, you broke a leg.......... I wonder how many painters, carpenters, plumbers who are struggling to find work realise this bylaw even exists!

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SCUBADOO

192 posts

Master Geek

#637124 7-Jun-2012 09:03

jjmac: I.... I wonder how many painters, carpenters, plumbers who are struggling to find work realise this bylaw even exists!

And I wonder if such a registered, warranted, legally parked vehicle has ever been towed? I would put money down that it has never occurred unless by mistake.

OP - Don't worry about it. Your car will NOT be removed or ticketed.

wellygary

8335 posts

Uber Geek

#637153 7-Jun-2012 09:26

jjmac: I have just been informed by a representative of Auckland City Council, Waitakere, that despite my vehicle being Warranted and registered and parked safely, not a road that has an issue with lack of street parking...because it isnt being used and has cobwebs on it and has contents in the boot (its a station wagon with a load carrier cover) then it is deemed as being used for storage and is subject to the particular bylaw and can be towed and confiscated!

I am guessing that said council wallah is referring to this public spaces bylaw,

http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/abtcnl/pp/pdf/bylaws/PublicPlacesBylaw2010.pdf

7.1
No person shall, without the prior approval of the Council and then only in compliance with any conditions attached to that approval:
....
(b)Keep, place or park vehicles for sale, exhibition, demonstration, storage or otherwise in a public place;

I would be very surprised if they could convince a judge that a car parked on the street with a few things in the boot could be deemed "for storage"

If you see Mr Council again, ask him how many times in the last year they have actually used this bylaw and what were the results of the resulting court cases....

jjmac

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#637161 7-Jun-2012 09:35

Thanks for that, yes im surprised how they could attach the 'storage' aspect of it to such a situation. Interesting just how many vehicles are parked around Waitakere Cemetery area with for sales signs in them,as well as a few other prominent areas that are clearly car yards on the public road! The jobsworth was not in the least interested in discussing the matter, flashed his little badge as if he was working with Crockett and Tubs.

Xile

155 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#637165 7-Jun-2012 09:43

That bylaw refers to old Waitakere City. He lives in Remuera (Auckland City). Check:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/bylaw/part25.asp#8
which is the old Auckland City bylaw and presumably current.

TheUngeek

924 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#637545 7-Jun-2012 22:24

PANiCnz: Hi all,

Hoping someone a bit more familiar with local council bylaws can help me out.

I live in Remuera (suburb of Auckland) and park my car on the street in a fairly quiet street. I work in central Auckland so catch the train to work most days and only use my car occasionally in the weekend, as such it can often sit un moved on the side of the road for a couple of weeks? Does anyone know if there is a local bylaw or law in general that restricts me parking my car unmoved for this period of time?

Cheers

You should make a point of driving it more. Sitting that long that often is not good for it

Elpie

1304 posts

Uber Geek

#637584 8-Jun-2012 00:24

SCUBADOO:
jjmac: I.... I wonder how many painters, carpenters, plumbers who are struggling to find work realise this bylaw even exists!
And I wonder if such a registered, warranted, legally parked vehicle has ever been towed? I would put money down that it has never occurred unless by mistake.

I know of one. An older car was left on my street when I lived in Auckland. Nobody in the street recognised the car. One day, after it had been there for about 3 weeks, a council guy knocked on my door asking if I knew where the owner of the car was. That afternoon the car was towed away. The following month, a neighbour came knocking - they had been overseas with friends who had parked their car on the street and came home to find the car gone.

So, advice to OP - make sure your neighbours know its your car!