City Of Guymon To Enforce Front Yard Parking

The City of Guymon has had in its Zoning Ordinance for many years a restriction that prohibits parking on non-paved surfaces in the city as a way to help keep dust and dirt from being blown around the city.

Recently the city council voted to amend that ordinance to allow for parking on grass, gravel, or crushed material when it the parking is used intermittently such as for Rodeos, football games, softball games, etc.

The exact ordinance as amended is as follows:

Except as provided herein, all parking spaces shall be paved with a sealed surface pavement and maintained in a manner that no dust will result from the continued use. Parking on grass, gravel, or crushed material of similar consistency shall be allowed for events presented on an intermittent basis such as sporting events, car shows, music concerts, holiday celebrations, or other events of a similar temporary nature.

Although the ordinance prohibiting the parking on unpaved surfaces has been on the books for many years, it has not been routinely enforced. However, with this amendment the ordinance will now be enforced by City Code Enforcement as well as Police Department personnel.

Before police begin enforcing the ordinance they are conducting an education campaign for the community to let them know that it will now be addressed. The current strategy is to inform the public and issue simple warnings between now and August 1st but then issue tickets for any violations after that date. The bond for any violation of Zoning Ordinance 12-101 Article 4 Section 6.7 dealing with the parking on unpaved surfaces is $144.00.

By the wording of this ordinance it is enforceable only on the property owner and not the driver of vehicles who may park in unapproved locations. Hence, it is the home or business ownerź??s responsibility to insure compliance.