[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Ridgefield 6-5-1974 as Ch. 14 of the 1974 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parking Authority— See Ch. 12, Art. II.
Bicycles and play vehicles — See Ch. 128.
Fire zones — See Ch. 183.
Noise — See Ch. 250.
Motor-driven vehicles — See Ch. 345.
Unregistered vehicles — See Ch. 349.
The ambulance and fire apparatus shall at all times have the right-of-way over all other vehicles on the highways. All vehicles shall draw to the outside of the road and stop and permit all fire apparatus, ambulances and police cars to pass.
No vehicle shall enter any street where stop signs are erected without coming to a complete stop.
The speed limit on all Town roads in the Town, other than state roads, shall be 25 miles per hour.
A. 
No vehicle shall make a U-turn on Main Street from the intersection of Main Street and Bailey Avenue to the intersection of Main Street and Prospect Street.
B. 
No northbound vehicles shall make a U-turn between the intersection of Governor Street and Catoonah Street.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 14-4.1, Parking Authority, which immediately followed this section, has been included as Art. II of Ch. 12, Authorities, of this Code.
[Amended 4-27-1988]
Parking on Main Street shall be limited to such period of time as may be set and reasonably posted by the Ridgefield Parking Authority.
All motor vehicles shall park parallel to the curbs on all highways, subject to the provisions of § 340-8, except on the westerly side of Main Street from the intersection of Main Street and Catoonah Street a distance of 200 feet south. Such vehicles shall park in the marked areas.
[Amended 11-4-1985]
All-night parking on the streets, highways and municipal parking lots of the Town is hereby forbidden. Motor vehicles so parked may be removed on order of the Police Department, and the owner shall be required to pay the necessary towing fee, plus fine.
No parking shall be permitted within 10 feet of any fire hydrants or in front of any private drive or on a crosswalk or street intersection in the Town.
It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any of the following designated places:
Name of Street
Side
Location
Bailey Avenue
South
A distance of 600 feet from the intersection of Bailey Avenue with Main Street
Bailey Avenue
West
From the intersection of Prospect Street a distance of 400 feet
Catoonah Street
North and south
Extending from Main Street in a westerly direction to High Ridge Avenue
East Ridge
Both
From Prospect Street to Route 102
Governor Street
Both
Extending from Main Street to East Ridge Avenue
Governor Street
Both
From Main Street to Prospect Ridge
High Ridge Avenue
East
From the intersection of Barry Avenue with High Ridge Avenue southerly to Byron Avenue
Main Street
East
From the intersection of Governor Street and Main Street to the intersection of Market Street and Main Street
Main Street
East
From the south side of a private driveway at No. 147 Main Street and extending north to the intersection of Prospect Street
Main Street
East
Directly in front of the Town Hall, a distance of 50 feet south from the intersection of Bailey Avenue with Main Street
Main Street
West
From the intersection of King's Lane and Main Street north for a distance of 300 feet and south for a distance of 150 feet
Main Street
West
To a point opposite the private driveway on the east side of Main Street at No. 147 Main Street and extending north to the intersection of Prospect Street
Main Street
West
Directly in front of the St. Stephen's Church, a distance of 65 feet, being the space between white lines
Market Street
Both
From Main Street to East Ridge
Pickett's Ridge Road
South
Extending from its intersection with Connecticut Route 7 to the Redding Town line, between May 15 and September 15 of each year
Prospect Street
South
Extending from Main Street in an easterly direction to the railroad track located on said side of Prospect Street
Stonehenge Road
East
Northerly from the intersection of Route 7 to the intersection of Still Road
Stonehenge Road
West
Northerly for a distance of 600 feet from the intersection of Route 7
Stonehenge Road
West
Southerly for a distance of 165 feet from the intersection of Still Road
[Added 8-30-1978; amended 11-1-2006]
Anyone violating § 340-1 or §§ 340-4 through 340-9 of this chapter shall be fined an amount not to exceed the sum of $15, in addition to any other fine or fees contained specifically in the Town Code.
[Added 9-8-1977]
A. 
Definition. A no-parking zone, for the purpose of this section, is a zone designated for no parking or for parking by permit only.
B. 
Establishment of zones. Whenever the Board of Education shall determine that parking on school property should be either not allowed or restricted to certain classes of employees, the Board of Education shall establish a no-parking or restricted-parking zone by filing a description of the no-parking or restricted-parking area with the Town Clerk of Ridgefield. When a restricted-parking area is established, a description of the class of persons entitled to park in said area shall be delivered to the Town Clerk of Ridgefield.
C. 
Erection of signs, markings, etc.; issuance of permits. Upon establishment of a no-parking or restricted-parking area on school property, the Board of Education shall cause to be erected or installed adequate signs, markings or other devices to delineate said areas. Permits, which shall be affixed to the vehicle, shall be issued to those entitled to park in restricted areas.
D. 
Penalty for violation; registered owner presumed operator. No person shall park, or permit to stand, a motor vehicle in a no-parking zone or in a restricted area unless the vehicle is of the classification to be permitted in the restricted area and has a proper permit affixed to the vehicle. Any person violating this subsection shall be fined not more than $100. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator of such vehicle.
E. 
Towing of vehicle in violation. Any motor vehicle found improperly parked or standing in a zone established in accordance with this section may be towed upon directions of a police officer to any public or private parking facility, and all expenses of such towing, and any subsequent storage, shall be borne by the registered owner of the vehicle.
F. 
Enforcement. The Police Department of the Town of Ridgefield is specifically empowered to carry out the provisions of this section.
G. 
Notice to appear at Police Department; payment of fines and charges to preclude prosecution under Subsection D. Whenever a vehicle is found parked or standing in violation of this section, a police officer shall serve upon the owner or operator of such vehicle, or place upon such vehicle, a notice directing the owner or operator thereof to appear at the Police Department prior to a time specified in such notice. If any person receiving said notice shall appear as directed and shall pay an amount as specified in said notice, not exceeding $25, together with any towing and storage expenses, said payment shall bar prosecution under Subsection D of this section.
[Added 4-27-1988]
A. 
There is herewith established for the Town of Ridgefield a parking violation hearing procedure, which procedure is adopted pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-152b.
B. 
The First Selectman shall appoint one or more parking violation hearing officers, other than policemen or persons who issue parking tickets or work in the Police Department, to conduct the hearings authorized by this section. Appointments shall be made on/or about January 1 for a term to expire December 31 of the same calendar year. Appointments necessitated during the year, whether to fill vacancies, meet demand, etc., shall also expire on December 31 of the calendar year when made.
C. 
The Town may at any time within two years from the expiration of the final period for the uncontested payment of fines, penalties, costs or fees for any alleged violation under any ordinance adopted pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-148 or §§ 14-305 to 14-308, inclusive, including but not necessarily limited to Chapter 12, Article II, Parking Authority, and §§ 340-5 through 340-10 of this chapter, and whether only arrest and/or citation is initiated by police officer, Fire Marshal or Ridgefield parking enforcement officer, send notice to the motor vehicle operator, if known, or the registered owner of the motor vehicle by first class mail at his address according to the registration records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Such notice shall inform the operator or owner of the allegations against him and the amount of the fines, penalties, costs or fees due; that he may contest his liability before a parking violations hearing officer by delivering in person or by mail written notice within 10 days of the date thereof; that if he does not demand such a hearing, an assessment and judgment shall enter against him; and that such judgment may issue without further notice. Whenever a violation of such an ordinance occurs, proof of the registration number of the motor vehicle involved shall be prima facie evidence in all proceedings provided for in this section that the owner of such vehicle was the operator thereof, provided that the liability of a lessee under C.G.S. § 14-107 shall apply.
D. 
If the person who is sent notice pursuant to Subsection C wishes to admit liability for any alleged violation, he may, without requesting a hearing, pay the full amount of the fines, penalties, costs or fees admitted to, in person or by mail, to an official designated by the Town. Such payment shall be inadmissible in any proceeding, civil or criminal, to establish the conduct of such person or other person making the payment. Any person who does not deliver or mail written demand for a hearing within 10 days of the date of the first notice provided for in Subsection C shall be deemed to have admitted liability, and the designated Town official shall certify such person's failure to respond to the hearing officer. The hearing officer shall thereupon enter and assess the fines, penalties, costs or fees provided for by the applicable ordinances and shall follow the procedures set forth in Subsection F of this section.
E. 
Any person who requests a hearing shall be given written notice of the date, time and place for the hearing. Such hearing shall be held not less than 15 days nor more than 30 days from the date of the mailing of notice, provided that the hearing officer shall grant upon good cause shown any reasonable request by any interested party for postponement or continuance. An original or certified copy of the initial notice of violation issued by a policeman or other issuing officer shall be filed and retained by the Town, be deemed to be a business record within the scope of C.G.S. § 52-180 and be evidence of the facts contained therein. The presence of the policeman or issuing officer shall be required at the hearing if such person so requests. A person wishing to contest his liability shall appear at the hearing and may present evidence in his behalf. A designated Town official other than the hearing officer may present evidence on behalf of the Town. If such person fails to appear, the hearing officer may enter an assessment by default against him upon a finding of proper notice and liability under the applicable statutes or ordinances. The hearing officer may accept from such person copies of police reports, Motor Vehicle Department documents and other official documents by mail and may determine thereby that the appearance of such person is unnecessary. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing in the order and form and with such methods of proof as he deems fair and appropriate. The rules regarding the admissibility of evidence shall not be strictly applied, but all testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation. The hearing officer shall announce his decision at the end of the hearing. If he determines that the person is not liable, he shall dismiss the matter and enter his determination in writing accordingly. If he determines that the person is liable for the violation, he shall forthwith enter and assess the fines, penalties, costs or fees against such person as provided by the applicable ordinances of the Town.
F. 
If such assessment is not paid on the date of its entry, the hearing officer shall send by first class mail a notice of the assessment to the person found liable and shall file, not less than 30 days nor more than 12 months after such mailing, a certified copy of the notice of assessment with the Clerk of the Superior Court for the geographical area in which the Town is located together with an entry fee of $8. The certified copy of the notice of assessment shall constitute a record of assessment. Within such twelve-month period, assessments against the same person may be accrued and filed as one record assessment. The Clerk shall enter judgment, in the amount of such record of assessment and court costs of $8, against such person in favor of the Town. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the General Statutes, the hearing officer's assessment, when so entered as judgment, shall have the effect of a civil money judgment and a levy of execution on such judgment may issue without further notice to such person.
G. 
A person against whom an assessment has been entered pursuant to this section is entitled to judicial review by way of appeal. An appeal shall be instituted within 30 days of the mailing of notice of such assessment by filing a petition to reopen assessment together with an entry fee in an amount equal to the entry fee for a small claims case pursuant to C.G.S. § 52-259 in the Superior Court for the geographical area in which the Town is located, which shall entitle such person to a hearing in accordance with the rules of the judges of the Superior Court.
[Added 5-23-1989; amended 7-12-1989]
A. 
Pursuant to authority granted in C.G.S. §§ 51-56a and 14-253a there is herewith designated a handicap parking ordinance of the Town of Ridgefield.
B. 
The Parking Authority is herewith designated to establish handicap parking spaces within the Town. Said spaces shall be identified and designated as required by C.G.S. § 14-253a(h). The Parking Authority of the Town may implement and/or require space identification above and beyond the statutory minimum, such as painting the surface a background blue.
[Amended 3-17-2010]
C. 
The number of handicap spaces designated by the Authority shall be no fewer than the number required by C.G.S. § 14-253a(g) and shall include such spaces as are specifically designated by the Parking Authority and such spaces as are designated by the Planning and Zoning Commission under the planning and zoning regulations of the Town and ratified by the Parking Authority.
[Amended 3-17-2010]
D. 
Any person who parks a motor vehicle in a properly designated handicapped space without displaying identification required by C.G.S. Section 14-253a shall be subject to a fine in the amount not more than denoted in C.G.S. Section 14-253a for each offense, plus towing and impoundment for a third or subsequent offense as provided in C.C.S. Section 14-253a(f).
[Amended 7-23-2014]
E. 
Any fines imposed and collected hereunder shall inure to the benefit and become the property of the Town.
F. 
Any portions of C.G.S. § 14-253a needed to effectuate the terms of this section, above and beyond those already provided for herein, are hereby incorporated by reference and adopted herewith.