Parking on the Street

• Do not park in or block a bike lane, sidewalk, crosswalk, driveway access or intersection.
• Do not parallel park facing the wrong direction; even in a cul-de-sac. The passenger side should be against the curb within 12 inches. (TMC 10.28.060)
• Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
• Do not park within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
• Do not park within 10 feet of a mailbox from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Do not park a vehicle "For Sale" on the street or repair a vehicle on the street. (TMC 10.28.022 b,c)
• Do not park over 72 continuous hours on the street or store a vehicle on the street. (TMC 7.60.010 6)
• Do not park in a marked space for persons with disabilities. Permits must be conspicuously displayed. (TMC 10.28.190 d)

Where Can I Park?

• Paved driveways are the correct place to park operable and regularly driven vehicles.
• Vehicles driven on a daily basis can be parked on the street.

Camper / Travel Trailer / Motorhome

A camper, travel trailer or motorhome may be parked on a public street longer than the period allowed in Tigard Municipal Code section 10.28.030 a if:

• It is owned by the resident or guest of the resident of the property in front of which it is parked;
• It is parked on the public street adjacent to the lot of the resident; and
• It is parked on the public street no longer than 10 days in any calendar year. After the 10 day allowance, the vehicle may not be parked or left standing for a period greater than 30 minutes, between the hours of 12 a.m.– 6 a.m.

(Note: TMC 7.060.010 6 still applies...the camper, travel trailer, motorhome cannot remain in the same location longer than 72 hours within the allowed 10 days.)

Abandoned Vehicle

A vehicle is considered abandoned if it has been on a public right-of-way (street) more than 24 hours and one or more of the following criteria apply: (TMC 7.60.010 a,b,c)

• The vehicle has an expired license plate;
• It appears disabled or is inoperable;
• The vehicle appears to be wrecked, partially dismantled or junked.

Stored Vehicle

"Stored" or "Storage" means any vehicle that has remained in the same location for a minimum of 72 hours. (TMC 7.60.010 6)

Warnings & Tickets

• If you receive a warning, correct the parking violation immediately to avoid further enforcement.
• If you receive a citation, correct the parking violation immediately to avoid further citations.

Then...

Follow the instructions on the ticket and make sure to pay the citation on time and/or appear for your court date. You can contact the Tigard Municipal Court at 503-718-2478.

Parking Fines

Abandoned or hazardous vehicles can be towed at the owners expense. (TMC 7.60.020 b / 7.60.030 a)

Driver Beware: Distracted Driving Laws Limit Use of Mobile Devices

Do you check Facebook at stoplights? If so, it’s time to put the phone down. The Oregon legislature voted House Bill 2597 into law creating stricter distracted driving laws related to the use of mobile electronic devices. The bill allows law enforcement to cite drivers who are engaged in activities on their devices beyond texting and talking.

The law makes it illegal to drive while holding or using an electronic device such as a cell phone, tablet, GPS or laptop. Individuals may use a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate a device or a function. For example, if it is safe to do so, you may swipe your phone to turn off the navigation system, but you aren’t allowed to input the address. In order to be in compliance with the law, you must pull over and park safely at the side of the road or in a designated parking spot to use the phone for other functions besides activation and deactivation. These laws apply to drivers stopped at a stoplight, stop sign or in traffic.

Hands-free or built in devices that allow a person to keep both hands on the steering wheel are permitted for users over 18 years old.

If you need to contact 9-1-1 for emergency assistance, you can use your device to do so if there is no passenger present who is capable of making that call.

There are exceptions afforded to individuals employed in certain professions such as emergency personnel.

These laws are needed due to the significant number of injuries and deaths related to distracted driving. Please remember that anything that takes your eyes of the road, hands off the wheel or mind off what you are doing is a distraction. Please consider your safety and wellbeing of others while driving.

School Safety Reminders

Please take extra precautions when driving through school zones or trailing school buses.

Some reminders:

• Watch your speed in school zones. A zone begins where the school speed limit sign is posted and continues until you reach an end school zone sign or another posted speed sign.
• Slow down near bus stops and areas children tend to congregate. Kids may be distracted or act unpredictably, so give yourself time to react.
• Stop and remain stopped while people enter and clear the crosswalk.
• Comply with directions from school crossing guards.
• If you see flashing amber lights on a school bus, please prepare to stop.
• “When the red lights flash on buses, stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the driver turns off the flashing lights.
  • If you are on a divided highway with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, you must stop only if you are on the same side of the road as the bus.
  • A painted median strip or turn lane does not create two separate roads. In this case, all lanes of traffic must stop.” (OR DMV)
• Remove distractions so you can fully pay attention to all of the people and activities in the area. Pull over if you need to text or answer a call.
• Please don't park in bike lanes and along streets marked "No Parking at Any Time" as this forces cyclists and pedestrians into the lanes of travel.
• Allow for extra time in your commute. Drivers take more risks when they are late.

Do you ride an e-bike or e-scooter in Tigard?

Remember these tips and rules to keep you and your fellow riders safe!

Riding a bike or scooter in Tigard is easier than ever, with bike lanes appearing on more streets, and trails and paths becoming more connected and accessible-but with increased access comes an increase in the number of users.

As our lanes and paths become more crowded, it’s important some simple tips to ensure that everyone remains safe while riding:

• Our streets and paths are for everyone — share the space and be courteous to all users.
• Stay right and pass left — travel on the right-hand side of the path unless you are passing someone. When passing, give a warning by calling out “passing on your left” or ringing a bell.
• Go a safe speed and follow the speed limit — 12mph or less is best when others are present on trails. Slow down around curves. If you are alone on the trail, the max speed allowed is 20mph on bikes/e-bikes and 15mph for e-scooters, but please use caution when traveling at this speed.
• Stay visible and aware of your surroundings — use lights and reflective clothing at night, in addition to the legally-required lights on your bike/scooter; and keep your dogs on a short leash to avoid tripping and injuries.

In addition to more bikes lanes and connected paths, we’re also seeing an increase in the number of e-bikes and e-scooters users. This makes us incredibly happy, as e-bikes/scooters have a direct link to a reduction of trips taken by automobile, making Tigard a safer and greener place to live. But as we see more people buying e-bikes/scooters, especially for the first time, we felt it was important to remind you of a few important rules (note that these are dictated by the Oregon Vehicle Code and state/federal laws):

• E-bikes/scooters are regulated like regular bicycles, so long as the motor has a maximum power output of 1,000w, the bike has pedals that propel the bike with human power, and the bike doesn’t exceed 20mph or the scooter doesn’t exceed 24mph.
• If the e-bike/scooter meets these standards, they are not subject to the registration, licensing or insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles.
• E-bikes are allowed on bike paths (and trails 8ft or wider) but are not allowed on sidewalks, while e-scooters are not allowed on any multi-use path or trail.
• The age minimum for e-bike/scooter riders is 16 years.
• E-bike riders are not required to wear a helmet, although e-scooter riders are still required to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
• Approved lighting must be used when operating under limited visibility.

This guide from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) makes it easy to understand the laws users need to follow based on vehicle type.

Please keep these tips and rules in mind the next time you are using an e-bike/scooter in Tigard so that we can all stay safe as we enjoy our rides.