City of Bend updating parking code: New rules affect EVs, RVs, ban big trucks parking overnight in residential zones

The City of Bend said Friday it is updating its parking code to be more modern and designed to meet Bend’s current and future needs. The proposed draft code will provide a structure to better manage parking and how we use the curb as well as be more transparent and responsive to future needs.

The community is invited to review the proposed draft code and make comments on the changes until Dec. 3, 2024.

The proposed draft code includes:

• Requiring that a vehicle parked in a space designated for alternative vehicle refueling (e.g. an electric vehicle) be actively engaged in refueling.
• Prohibiting a vehicle with protrusions (like RVs with pullouts) from blocking the sidewalk or travel lane.
• Prohibiting commercial vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds from parking between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in districts zoned residential.
• Prohibiting any vehicle or structure that isn’t designed for or capable of self-propulsion (including trailers, recreational vehicles, campers, motor homes or snowmobiles) or is not connected to a vehicle designed for or capable of self-propulsion from parking on a street or off-street parking facility.
• A new process for creating parking districts and district-specific management plans in areas that have a demonstrated need.
• Clarifying the distance required to move a vehicle when a parking time limit is reached outside of parking districts.
• Clarifying how parking citations, immobilization, and tows are handled.

The city says the proposed draft code will not change the current regulations in existing parking districts or the three-day parking time limits outside of parking districts. The new code also does not create new parking districts or increase paid parking "at this time," the city said.

The Bend City Council will consider the new code at their Dec. 4l meeting. The new code would have a delayed implementation, later in 2025, to allow time to manage data and operational needs to support the new code.

You can review Bend's proposed parking code and provide feedback here.