City Council:
LOCAL LAW NO. __ OF 2026
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, ARTICLE I,
SECTION 256 OF THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW
ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR DOUBLE PARKING
BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, in regular session convened, as follows:
Section 1. Title. This Local Law shall be known and may be cited as “A Local Law Amending the Code of the City of Mount Vernon, Article I, Section 256 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law Establishing Penalties for Double Parking.”
Section 2. Legislative Findings and Purpose.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon hereby finds that double parking impedes traffic flow, obstructs emergency response, increases crash risk, and creates significant congestion in the downtown business district.
WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that illegal parking by very heavy commercial vehicles causes an outsized impact on traffic operations, street safety, and roadway wear.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon as follows:
Section 3. Amendment of Chapter 256, Article I, Section 15.
Section 256-15 of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby amended, adding Section 256-15.1 to read as follows:
§ 256-15.1 - Double parking; penalties.
A. Prohibition.
No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle alongside or adjacent to another vehicle that is stopped, standing, or parked at the curb, edge of roadway, or otherwise lawfully occupying a parking position, in a manner commonly known as double parking, except when directed by a police officer, traffic control officer, or other duly authorized official, or when necessary to avoid an immediate hazard.
B. Standard citywide penalty.
Except as provided in Subsection C of this section, any person who violates this section shall be subject to a progressive fine structured as follows:
(a) For a first offense, by a fine of fifty dollars ($50);
(b) For a second offense committed within a period of eighteen (18) months, by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100); and
(c) For a third or subsequent offense committed within a period of eighteen (18) months, by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
C. Downtown enhanced penalty zone.
Notwithstanding Subsection B of this section, any person who commits a violation of this section within the downtown area of the City of Mount Vernon shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) for a first offense, and two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for any second or subsequent offense committed within a period of eighteen (18) months.
D. Downtown area defined.
For purposes of this section, the downtown area shall mean the area bounded as follows:
(1) the centerline of Lincoln Avenue to the north;
(2) the centerline of Park Avenue to the east;
(3) the centerline of 3rd Street to the south; and
(4) the western curb of 6th Avenue to the west.
E. Additional remedies.
A vehicle found in violation of this section may also be subject to towing, removal, booting, or other lawful enforcement action where otherwise authorized by law or ordinance.
Section 4. Amendment of Article I, Chapter 256, Section 11.
Section 256-11 of Chapter 256 of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon, concerning overnight parking of commercial vehicles, is hereby amended by adding a new subsection to the penalties provision to read as follows:
§ 256-11E(3) - Enhanced penalty for certain heavy commercial vehicles.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, any commercial vehicle parking violation under this chapter involving a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.) shall be punishable by a progressive fine structured as follows:
(a) For a first offense, by a fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150);
(b) For a second offense committed within a period of eighteen (18) months, by a fine of three hundred dollars ($300); and
(c) For a third or subsequent offense committed within a period of eighteen (18) months, by a fine of four hundred fifty dollars ($450), or the maximum amount permitted under the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, whichever is less.
For purposes of this subsection, gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR shall mean the manufacturer’s assigned gross vehicle weight rating for the vehicle, whether appearing on the registration, door placard, vehicle identification label, or other competent proof customarily relied upon in vehicle enforcement.
Section 5. Construction with existing law. This local law shall supplement existing parking and traffic enforcement provisions in Chapter 256. Where any provision of this local law imposes a more specific or more restrictive penalty, that provision shall govern.
Section 6. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this local law, or the application thereof to any person, firm, corporation, or circumstance, shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part thereof, or in its application to the person, individual, firm, corporation, or circumstance directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 7. Effective date. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Law.