Yard Parking Prohibition To Be Enforced in Moundsville

The city of Moundsville is asking residents to heed an ordinance that prohibits them from parking in their grassy yards.

In a social media post, the city said its building inspectors will soon be issuing notices of violation for those who do.

"Your friendly city of Moundsville building inspectors would like you to know that at no time is it appropriate to park any vehicle on your grass, for any length of time, according to the City Code," according to the post.

"We have noted an increase in this activity lately and received complaints regarding all-terrain vehicles, of all sorts, which are included in this ordinance.

"We wanted to give everyone a fair warning as building inspection personnel will begin issuing notices of violation for this in the immediate future."

The post goes on to note that those who have any questions can call the building inspection department at 304-830-1874 or email dharmon@cityofmoundsville.com.

The post also lists the ordinance regarding parking vehicles off-street.

"All parking areas and driveways for all uses shall be paved with a permanent surface material, which includes asphalt, concrete, brick, or concrete pavers or with a similar material approved by the Zoning Officer," the ordinance states.

"Pervious surfaces including pervious asphalt and concrete as well as brick pavers shall be encouraged in residential parking facilities if found to be structurally sound by a certified engineer.

"In residential districts, no more than 40 percent of the front yard may be used for parking, including driveways.

"Vehicles may not be parked or stored upon any lawn, vegetated, or otherwise landscaped area.

"All driveways and parking areas must be paved with a permanent surface material unless in the side or rear yard, where gravel or other pervious materials may be used."

Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy said Thursday the city wanted to warn people about the impending enforcement. Apparently this upset some people on social media.

"The city received numerous complaints about vehicles, mainly 4×4 side-by-sides, parking in front yards," he said.

"Rather than start citing people, we opted to make a Facebook post reminding residents that there is a long-standing ordinance preventing this.

"This was a well intended post that was taken way out of context.

"The ordinance is in place to protect the integrity of neighborhoods, by not having vehicles park in yards.

"The intent was not to take away rights, cite people who pull in yards to wash their car, or things like that.

"We acted on the complaints the same way we act on any complaint - check the ordinance and do our best to enforce it.

"A municipality with no ordinances and/or no enforcement would quickly head downhill.

"There are 4,000 households in Moundsville, and most abide by ordinances.

"Unfortunately, from time to time, certain ordinances upset people. This was one of those situations."