Living in a master-planned community comes with its perks, and its policies. And they’re all in place to benefit you, the resident.
Alamar’s official set of community rules (the ACA Community Charter) are on the books to help maintain the aesthetic, function, and fabric of Alamar now and for many years into the future.
The Charter helps ensure everyone plays by the same rules, maximize resident safety, and can keep property values headed in the right direction. And that includes when, where and what can be parked along our neighborhood streets and driveways.
Take a look
Commercial vehicles
An important (and at times contentious) community rule relates to commercial vehicles. Let’s start with the basics: What’s considered a commercial vehicle?
Per Alamar’s Noncompliance Enforcement Guidelines, a commercial vehicle is any motorized (or towed) vehicle or trailer designed or used for a commercial or industrial function. This includes any vehicle registered or insured as a commercial vehicle, panel trucks with commercial signage, any vehicle with racks for equipment, supplies or tools, and vehicles with commercial signage (wraps, decals, magnets, window lettering) for promoting a business or service. In short, commercial vehicles include everything from your side-hustle-promoting sedan to a full-size semi.
You can read the full commercial vehicle policy in Exhibit C of the Community Charter, but in brief, parking commercial vehicles in places other than enclosed garages is a community standard violation. The penalty could result in a $150 fine. Ouch.
While your best bet is to park your vehicle in your garage, we understand that’s not always possible. So, if you drive a commercial vehicle for work or you want to advertise your business while you’re out and about in the community, what are your options?
Magnetic overlays are a great start for smaller vehicles. A magnet that closely matches your car color can be used to block out any commercial lettering or signage while you’re parked curbside or in your driveway. On the flipside, a magnet with your business info can be adhered to your vehicle for trips around town, but then easily removed when you’re parked back at home.
If you have a rear window decal, try backing your vehicle into your driveway so that business info is not visible from the street.
Recreational vehicles
Also in the mix are mobile homes, recreational vehicles, golf carts, boats and other watercraft, trailers — storage anywhere other than in an enclosed garage is prohibited.
However, the above-mentioned vehicles can be parked in your driveway for a max of 24 hours for the purpose of loading, cleaning, maintenance, etc. After 24 hours, it needs to be removed or parked back in the garage or storage area.
Stored and Inoperable Vehicles
Vehicles that are just chilling need to do so in the comfort of your garage. If you’re vehicle is covered with a car cover, tarp, or any other material, it can’t sit in your driveway, in the front of your home, or any other common area.
Public right-of-ways
Let’s talk safety. As residents are out for a stroll or kiddos are cruising on their scooters, it’s important that parked vehicles do not impair the use of sidewalks. Any vehicle parked in a driveway shall not block the sidewalk in accordance with the city of Avondale.
And the fewer vehicles parked street side, the easier it is for emergency vehicles to quickly access a residence in case of a fire or medical emergency. Visibility also increases, allowing drivers to see a child dart out into the street after a ball or a beloved pet getting loose from its leash.
Plus, the look and feel of the neighborhood is enhanced when residential thoroughfares are free of vehicles.
See a violation?
While it’s best practice to chat with your neighbor first, if you need help with a compliance violation, let us know via a community concern form.
You’ll need to include your contact info and details about your concern (photos are helpful). In a timely manner you’ll get an email receipt and follow up with info on how the concern will be addressed.
We’re here to help
Community Life staff tours weekly for parking violations and responds to all concerns received regarding specific parking infractions. However, on-street parking of passenger vehicles is regulated by the city of Avondale.
We encourage residents to report parking issues to the Avondale Police Department using their non-emergency line at 623-333-7001. Where parking may create safety hazards, those areas are promptly reported to the city for follow-up.
If you’d like further clarification on what’s allowed and what’s not when it comes to parking in the neighborhood, go ahead and get in touch with Alamar Community Life.