Motor Vehicles
Safe use and storage of motor vehicles is everyone’s responsibility.
Operation
Motorcycles
Section 11-1-2
Motorcycles cannot be operated upon public sidewalks or pedestrian walkways in parks, or in any public grounds except on roadways.
Snowmobiles
Section 11-9-2
No person shall operate a snowmobile in any public grounds or upon any public street, roadway, or alley within the city limits.
Parking
Section 11-6-10
No one may park a vehicle, whether attended or unattended: on a sidewalk or boulevard between a sidewalk and a roadway; within 5 feet of any public or private driveway; in a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Refer to the ordinance for additional conditions.
Section 11-6-28
Certain areas have parking restrictions which are marked by signs, parking meters, etc. In areas without specific limitations, vehicles cannot be parked for more than 24 consecutive hours.
Section 11-6-12 (c)
Parking in the unpaved portion of a front yard in a residential neighborhood is not permitted.
Off-Street Parking
63.455 Subd. 2 (Rochester Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Manual
Off-street parking spaces may be located on a lot according to the rules provided. In a Residential District: A. In the rear yard and in the Core Neighborhood – Neighborhood Residential District at-grade, unstructured, off-street parking areas may be located in the rear yard if situated so as to be separated from the dwelling on the lot and any side lot line shared with another residential use by at least 6 feet.
Fences
63.126 E (Rochester Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Manual)
No fence, wall or hedge shall be placed closer than ten feet to the intersection of a driveway with any right of way used for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, including alleys.
Obstructing Fire Lanes & Hydrants
Section 11-6-10
Obstruction of the fire department and fire department equipment is prohibited, including blocking or parking in fire lanes and obstructing a fire hydrant with snow or shrubbery.
Certain Types of Vehicles
Section 11-6-23
The following vehicles shall not be parked on any street or alley for more than one hour: Trucks of capacity more than 3/4 ton; trucks or “motor Homes” having an overall length of more than 20 feet; dump trucks; tractors; truck-tractors; trailers; boats and boat trailers; semi-trailers; recreation vehicles (RV’s), advertising or livestock vehicles or any heavy machinery.
Certain Types of Vehicles
Section 11-6-23
The following vehicles shall not be parked on any street or alley for more than one hour: Trucks of capacity more than 3/4 ton; trucks or “motor Homes” having an overall length of more than 20 feet; dump trucks; tractors; truck-tractors; trailers; boats and boat trailers; semi-trailers; recreation vehicles (RV’s), advertising or livestock vehicles or any heavy machinery.
Recreational Vehicles
62.278 subd. 9 (Rochester Zoning Ordinance and Land Development Manual
Recreational vehicles (RV’s) may be parked in the rear yard. If the RV is less than 18 feet in length and 7 feet in height it may be parked in a side yard on a hard surface adjacent to the driveway. If the RV is over 18 feet in length or 7 feet in height, it can be parked on the driveway but there must be 20 feet between curb and the vehicle.
Snow Emergency
Chapter 11-8
On occasion a snow emergency may be declared. Please do not park your vehicle on the public streets until they have been plowed.
Inoperable or Junked Motor Vehicles
Section 7-3-22
Motor vehicles in an open area on residential property must have current legal license plates, all essential parts that would make it operative and must not be rusted, wrecked, or partially dismantled.
No Current Plates
62.278 subd. 9
Vehicles or trailers without current legal license plates on residential property must be stored or parked in a completely closed building.
Unsheltered Storage
Section 8-3-5 (b)
Except for junk or salvage yards, the unsheltered storage of old, unused, or stripped automobiles, machinery, implements, junk, or personal property no longer safely usable is considered a nuisance.
Juvenile Curfew Regulations
Section 8-8-3 & 8-8-4
Children must not be on public streets, alleys, parks, playgrounds, public buildings or grounds, places of amusement, entertainment, refreshment, or vacant lots during the following restricted hours:
Under 16: 10:30 pm – 5 am
Ages 16-17: 12 midnight – 5 am
Exceptions: The child is with a parent, guardian, or other adult person who is primarily responsible for providing the child with food, clothing, and shelter; the child is on an emergency errand as directed by their parent, guardian, or other adult; the child is working; the child is traveling directly to and from work and home; or the child is traveling to and from an event officially designated as a school activity.
No parent, guardian, or other adult who is primarily responsible for the child’s food, clothing and shelter shall permit curfew violations. Owners and operators of places of amusement, entertainment or refreshment shall not allow a child to come in or stay there during the restricted hours unless the child is with a parent, guardian, or other adult.
Noise
Section 8-7-8
No person shall make noise which unreasonably disturbs the peace and quiet of people nearby.
Section 8-7-8 (e )(1)The play of any device for the production or reproduction of sound as to be plainly audible at a distance of fifty feet is evidence of a violation of this subsection.
Sound Amplification Permit Required
Section 8-11-3
A Special Event Permit is required to hold a special event during which: amplified sound is used, a public way is closed, alcoholic beverages are provided, or a considerable number of citizens will be impacted.
Smoking
Section 5-19-32
Smoking is prohibited in public places; places of work; outdoor dining or bar areas; and within 15 feet of entrances, exits, open windows and ventilation intakes. For more information contact Olmsted County Public Health Services at (507) 328-7500.
Parties
Section 8-7-8 (c)
Between 11 pm and 7 am, no person shall attend any gathering of four or more persons which is noisy enough to disturb the peace and quiet of people nearby.
Construction
Section 8-7-8 (b)
Construction is prohibited during the following times:
10 pm through 7 am Monday through Saturday
10 pm Saturday through 12 noon Sunday
10 pm Sunday through 7 am Monday
Firearms
Section 8-7-10
With certain exceptions including possessing a permit to carry, no person shall discharge a firearm or transport an uncased firearm within the city limits. (See Section 8-7-11 for bow and arrow conditions).
Graffiti
Section 8-6-3
Placement of graffiti on any exterior surface on public or private property or possession of materials for placing graffiti is unlawful.
Fire Works
Section 5-16-1 & 5-16-2
Fireworks use is limited to small devices that do not leave the ground and that contain less than 75 grams of explosive mixture, such as sparklers. Aerial fireworks and pyrotechnic displays are limited to those intended specifically for public viewing outdoors or as otherwise allowed by Chapter 33 of the Fire Code and Minnesota Statute 624.
Recreational Fires (Bonfires)
Section 307.4.2 and 307.5
To reduce unnecessary fire calls, it is recommended that you call Fire Dispatch, 328-2830, prior to starting a recreational fire giving your name, address, and telephone number.
Door-to-Door Salespersons
Chapter 5-14
In general, persons selling, taking orders for, exhibiting or taking surveys for personal property goods, wares, merchandise or services must first register with the City Clerk. For exceptions see. Rochester Code Section 5.14.-3.
