The parking rules in any community tend to be a hot topic and Reserve at Sawgrass is no different. This email is designed to explain and remind everyone of the parking rules. We unfortunately have had reports of threats between residents and un-neighborly-like behavior that is unacceptable. The roadways are shared and public, and no home “owns” or “controls” the street in front of their home. These parking rules are part of Florida Statute and Orange County Municipal Code, and are enforced by law enforcement, including Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
First, some definitions are in order to ensure that everyone understands exactly what is meant by the below terms:
- County right-of-way: In Reserve at Sawgrass, this includes all areas between the sidewalk and street — both the lower driveway portion (called the “apron”) and grassy areas between the sidewalk and street.
- Apron: Specifically refers to the lower part of the driveway between the lower boundary of the sidewalk and the street. This is also part of the right-of-way, but the term “apron” is more specific, referring specifically to the lower cement portion of driveway.
- Upper Driveway: The brick paver portion of the driveway between the upper boundary of the sidewalk and the house.
- Resident: Someone who lives in and either owns or rents their home in Reserve at Sawgrass.
- Guest: Someone who maintains a residence outside Reserve at Sawgrass and does not own or rent a home within Reserve at Sawgrass.
No Parking on the Apron & Sidewalk
Residents may not park on the apron or grassy areas between sidewalk and street, regardless if it is your home or not.
Why? The sidewalks are for everyone’s enjoyment and must remain free of obstruction. Some of our residents are elderly and may use canes, walkers, or other assists. Or new parents may be pushing a baby carriage. If a common sidewalk is obstructed by a vehicle and a pedestrian injures themselves trying to negotiate the obstruction, the resident may be liable for their injuries whether such obstructing vehicle belongs to the resident or their guest. Vehicles also may not extend beyond the apron onto the street for obvious reasons.
No Parking on the Grass (Any Grassy Area)
No resident or guest vehicle may be parked upon any grassy area at any time for any reason.
Tickets & Towing
Improperly parked vehicles are subject to ticketing and possible towing at any time. Orange County Sheriff Deputies may ticket or tow improperly parked vehicles at vehicle owner’s expense. Please ensure that your guests and visitors properly park their vehicles!
Other Comments
I’m having a party! Where can my guests park? Residents that are having a party where a number of guests are invited may wish to make arrangements with nearby neighbors to use their driveways. It’s a great way to get temporary overflow parking when a resident is having a big party so their guests can park according to association and County rules. At some later date, the resident that needed the extra parking can return the favor. Give each “overflow” guest instructions on what street address to park on. Make sure they understand the parking rules!
But my driveway is not large enough for all our cars! Families needing additional parking are encouraged to use the garage for its intended purpose. For a two-car garage, that provides at least four parking spaces for resident use. Using the garage for storage diminishes available parking. In that case, homeowners may consider installing a garage storage system or renting a nearby storage unit for storage of such items. CLICK HERE to read a Consumer Reports article on maximizing your garage space. Households with excessive number of vehicles should also be respectful of how often they park on the street.
Commercial Vehicles & Disabled/Expired Tags Prohibited
No truck or commercial vehicle, limousine, mobile home, motor home, house trailer, utility trailer, camper, boat, boat trailer or other recreational vehicle or equipment, horse trailer, bus, passenger vehicle without current registration, van (other than a passenger van), or the like shall be permitted to be parked or stored on any portion of the Property unless they are parked within a garage, or are located on a Lot so they cannot be seen from any Street and are shielded from view from any adjoining Lot.
“Truck” means a vehicle with any sort of weight capacity, which has a compartment or bed for carrying cargo, as opposed to passengers. Regardless if such vehicle has a cover or “topper” for the cargo carrying area, it shall be deemed to be a Truck; however, “pick-up trucks”or “sport utility vehicles” with a cargo capacity of one ton or less that are not Commercial Vehicles (as hereinafter defined)are permitted to park on the driveway of a Residence.
“Commercial Vehicle” means any vehicle, which from viewing the exterior of the vehicle or any portion thereof, shows any commercial
markings, signs, logos, displays, tool racks, saddle racks, or other elements of a commercial nature or otherwise indicates a commercial
use.
This prohibition of parking shall not apply to temporary parking of Trucks and Commercial Vehicles used for pickup, delivery, and repair and maintenance of a Lot, not to any vehicles of Developer, nor to any police vehicle used by an occupant of a Lot.
It’s important that we all be respectful to each other, but also understand the rules and laws that apply to parking situation.
- Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device, no person shall:
- Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
- On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.
- On a sidewalk.
- Within an intersection.
- On a crosswalk.
- Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the Department of Transportation indicates a different length by signs or markings.
- Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic.
- Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel.
- On any railroad tracks.
- On a bicycle path.
- At any place where official traffic control devices prohibit stopping.
- On the roadway or shoulder of a limited access facility, except as provided by regulation of the Department of Transportation, or on the paved portion of a connecting ramp; except that a vehicle which is disabled or in a condition improper to be driven as a result of mechanical failure or crash may be parked on such shoulder for a period not to exceed 6 hours. This provision is not applicable to a person stopping a vehicle to render aid to an injured person or assistance to a disabled vehicle in obedience to the directions of a law enforcement officer or to a person stopping a vehicle in compliance with applicable traffic laws.
- For the purpose of loading or unloading a passenger on the paved roadway or shoulder of a limited access facility or on the paved portion of any connecting ramp. This provision is not applicable to a person stopping a vehicle to render aid to an injured person or assistance to a disabled vehicle.
- Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:
- In front of a public or private driveway.
- Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway.
- Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of such entrance (when property signposted).
- On an exclusive bicycle lane.
- At any place where official traffic control devices prohibit standing.
- Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading merchandise or passengers:
- Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing unless the Department of Transportation establishes a different distance due to unusual circumstances.
- At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
- Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
- No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his or her control into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such a distance as is unlawful.
- A law enforcement officer or parking enforcement specialist who discovers a vehicle parked in violation of this section or a municipal or county ordinance may:
- Issue a ticket form as may be used by a political subdivision or municipality to the driver; or
- If the vehicle is unattended, attach such ticket to the vehicle in a conspicuous place, except that the uniform traffic citation prepared by the department pursuant to s. 316.650 may not be issued by being attached to an unattended vehicle.The uniform traffic citation prepared by the department pursuant to s. 316.650 may not be issued for violation of a municipal or county parking ordinance.
- A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
- Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a law enforcement officer or official traffic-control devices, no person shall:
- Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
- On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.
- On a sidewalk.
- Within an intersection.
- On a crosswalk.
- Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within thirty (30) feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the board of county commissioners or department of transportation indicates a different length by signs or markings.
- Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic.
- Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a street or highway.
- On any railroad tracks.
- On a bicycle or shared use path.
- At any place where official traffic-control devices prohibit stopping.
- On the roadway or shoulder of a limited access facility, except as provided by regulation of the state department of transportation, or on the paved portion of a connecting ramp; except that a vehicle which is disabled or in a condition improper to be driven as a result of mechanical failure or accident may be parked on such shoulder for a period not to exceed six (6) hours. This provision is not applicable to a person stopping a vehicle to render aid to an injured person or assistance to a disabled vehicle in obedience to the directions of a law enforcement officer or to a person stopping a vehicle in compliance with applicable traffic laws.
- For the purpose of loading or unloading a passenger on the paved roadway or shoulder of a limited access facility or on the paved portion of any connecting ramp. This provision is not applicable to a person stopping a vehicle to render aid to an injured person or assistance to a disabled vehicle.
- In any parking space specifically designated for charging an electric vehicle if the vehicle is not capable of using an electrical recharging station, consistent with F.S. § 366.94.
- At any place where county signs are posted that prohibit parking.
- Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:
- In front of a public or private driveway.
- Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant.
- Within twenty (20) feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or midblock crossing.
- Within thirty (30) feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway.
- Within twenty (20) feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five (75) feet of such entrance (when property signposted).
- On an exclusive bicycle lane.
- At any place where official signs or traffic-control devices prohibit standing.
- In a fire lane.
- Blocking access to a mailbox of a residence, mailbox of a business, community mailbox unit, or package delivery locker between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. when said mailbox or locker is directly adjacent to the roadway.
- Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
DID YOU KNOW?
Many residents are surprised to learn this: The county right-of-way area (apron and grass) and the sidewalk do not belong to the homeowner. Homeowners’ private property includes only the upper driveway brick paver portion and it ends at the upper sidewalk boundary. Refer to either the Reserve at Sawgrass plat or your property survey to confirm this. You will note the sidewalk and the entire right-of-way (including the apron) are not included in the privately-owned portion of the home site. The sidewalk, grassy area between sidewalk and street, and street itself are owned by Orange County. Homeowners are still required to maintain the grassy area though per Orange County Ordinances.