Source: https://ecode360.com/29363015
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 21:02:15+00:00

Document:
The purpose of this chapter is to permit and regulate valet parking services operating within the existing public streets and public rights-of-way in the Village of Ridgewood's Central Business District in order to reduce the demand for public parking spaces. The chapter establishes a valet parking operator permit program in the Village.
The Village of Ridgewood's designated individual authorized to issue permits for valet parking operators as well as adjudicate issues related to this chapter and its functions. The authorizing agent shall be the Village Manager or any person so designated by the Manager.
For the purpose of this chapter, any area dedicated for public use as a street, pedestrian way or other thoroughfare, including but not limited to roadways, parkways, streets, alleys, ingress and egress rights-of-way for abutting lots, sidewalks, and pedestrian ways.
The designated zones within the public right-of-way, in accordance with § 265-72, Schedule XXII, of the Village Code, to be utilized by the valet parking operator for collection and return of vehicles to users of the valet parking service.
Any employee or agent of the valet parking operator who receives, takes possession of or moves any vehicle or handles the keys to any vehicle left with the attendant for valet parking.
The firm, business or person engaged in providing valet parking service for patrons of any business establishment, including its own, in the Village of Ridgewood.
The annual permit issued by the Village of Ridgewood to a firm or business desiring to perform the functions of a valet parking operator or desiring to hire a valet parking service in accordance with the terms of this chapter and Village requirements.
The service of receiving, taking possession of, driving, moving, parking or storing of any vehicle that is left at one location to be driven to another location for parking, over the public right-of-way, whether or not a charge or fee is imposed for the said service.
No firm, business, person, or entity shall engage in, conduct, or operate a business providing valet parking services that entails the movement of vehicles on or over any public right-of-way or public property without first obtaining a valet parking operator annual permit from the Village's authorizing agent, in accordance with the requirements below.
Applications for valet parking operator annual permits shall be filed in the Village Clerk's office.
Permit applications shall be reviewed by the Engineering Department, which may refer the application to any Village agency or department that the Village Engineer deems appropriate.
Permit applications shall be reviewed within 30 days of their filing with the Village Clerk, unless it is determined that the application has not provided all required information or that the information provided is inaccurate or ambiguous, in which case the applicant shall be requested to provide or revise the deficient information.
Proof of general liability insurance and motor vehicle insurance pursuant to Subsection D below.
Permits issued January 1 of the year until June 30 of the year shall be $1,000.
Permits issued after July 1 of a year until December 31 of the same year shall be $500.
Applications for permit renewal shall be reviewed as provided above for the initial permit. In order to ensure sufficient time for permit review and issuance before January 1 of the following year, applications for permit renewal must be submitted in the 11th month of its annual cycle.
Violations of the terms and conditions of this chapter shall be grounds for the suspension and/or revocation of the valet parking operator's annual permit pursuant to § 263-5, and for denial of the permit renewal application.
The name and location of the business the valet permit operator is proposing to serve.
The legally permitted seating capacity of the business/venue to be served by the valet permit operator.
The hours and days of operation of the valet parking service.
The street address and lot and block location, as identified on the Village's Tax Map, of the off-site parking lot where all valet-parked vehicles are to be parked or stored for the businesses served.
A signed and executed statement from the business/venue certifying that it is requesting the services of the valet parking operator.
A map of the routes to the off-site parking lot and back to the designated valet/loading and unloading zones being served.
A copy of the agreement between the proposed lot's owner and the valet parking operator permitting vehicles to be parked on the lot by the valet parking operator.
The required application fee of $250 for the annual permit.
Modification of terms of permit application. In the event there is, or is proposed, any change, modification, transfer, amendment, or termination of any agreement for services provided to any business/venue in the Village or with the lot where vehicles are to be parked, or any change in any other information submitted with the permit application, the valet parking operator shall inform the Village of Ridgewood Manager's office within 14 consecutive calendar days of such change. Any change which violates the provisions of this chapter shall subject the responsible party to permit revocation or suspension or fines as provided in § 263-5.
Insurance requirements. Prior to the issuance of a valet parking operator annual permit, a certificate of insurance must be submitted to the Village Clerk evidencing comprehensive general liability, automobile liability, workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance in accordance with this subsection.
Having an A.M. Best rating of at least "A."
Coverage for the operation of a valet parking service if the applicant wishes to conduct such service on its own.
Personal injury liability coverage (contractual exclusion deleted).
Independent contractor coverage for the operation of a separate valet parking service independent of the applicant if hired separately.
Contractual coverage for obligations of hold harmless and indemnification provision.
Broad form property damage coverage.
If the aggregate limits shown have been reduced by claims paid, the certificate of insurance is to be accompanied by a letter stating that those reductions do not substantially affect the coverage.
The certificate of insurance must state that all insurance coverage shown thereon is primary and not contributing to any insurance maintained by the Village of Ridgewood.
The certificate of insurance shall state that the Village of Ridgewood has been added as an additional insured to the policies shown on the certificate.
The certificate shall provide that the Village of Ridgewood, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, Attention: Village Manager, receives 30 days' advance written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the cancellation of the policy for any reason or any material change in the policy's coverage set forth in the certificate.
The valet parking operator is permitted one temporary sign identifying the debarkation/pickup point for the valet parking services at the business at which the services are being provided. Such sign shall be no larger than 12 inches by 18 inches, located on a stanchion and not placed higher than 42 inches above the grade level beneath the sign. The sign shall be removed at the end of every evening's operation and reinstalled the following evening.
A properly permitted valet parking operator may utilize the streets and public parking lots of the Village of Ridgewood as thoroughfares only for the performance of its services.
At no time shall the valet parking attendants of a valet parking operator be permitted to violate any State of New Jersey or Village of Ridgewood traffic regulations in the performance of their duties.
The collection of vehicles and subsequent return of vehicles to patrons shall only be conducted at designated loading and unloading zones within the public right-of-way.
At no time shall a valet parking operator be permitted to block or occupy any Village of Ridgewood reserved metered parking spaces.
In the event of a snow, ice, or other weather emergency, the valet parking operator shall conduct its operations in a manner so as to not interfere with the Village's efforts. The Village shall have no responsibility for clearing of routes used by the valet parking operator, other than the normal effort expended for an event.
The valet parking operator shall not cause any pedestrian path or walkway to be obstructed by its operations at either the vehicle collection location or the vehicle parking location.
The valet parking operator shall employ a sufficient number of valet parking attendants in order that traffic on Village streets and in Village parking lots shall not be impeded by the activities of the valet parking operator. Each operator shall meet the requirements of this chapter and any rules and regulations for valet parking operators promulgated by the Village Manager and adopted by the Village Council by resolution. Records of this action shall be made available for inspection upon request of the Village of Ridgewood.
The valet parking operator shall lock all vehicles parked at the off-site parking area. Security of the vehicles shall be the operator's responsibility. Vehicle keys shall not be left with the parked vehicle.
The valet parking operator shall ensure its operation does not cause any queuing in the loading or unloading area of patrons within the public right-of-way. No vehicle is permitted to stop or stand at a dropoff or loading area for longer than 10 minutes, as long as the vehicle does not impede traffic flow.
Use of designated valet loading and unloading zones.
Authorized and permitted valet parking operators shall be permitted to use designated valet loading and unloading zones in the public right-of-way during the prescribed times and dates, 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., all days (Chapter 265, § 265-26, Loading zones).
Any request to use a valet loading and unloading zone outside prescribed times by a valet parking operator shall be made to the office of the Village Manager at least 72 hours in advance of the desired time period.
The Village Manager or designee shall approve or deny the request for relief within 48 hours of its receipt.
If the Village Manager or designee fails to act within the forty-eight-hour period, the request shall be automatically deemed denied.
If a request for relief is approved, all parking meters in designated valet loading and unloading zones shall be bagged by the valet parking operator and the appropriate fee remitted in accordance with the fee schedule for a bagged parking meter [§ 145-6, fees, § 249-45A(12)].
Editor's Note: See Ch. 145.
Valet parking operator conduct. All valet parking operators shall ensure their employees conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner with all patrons in the Village.
Each valet parking operator shall cover all of the signage installed by the Village to identify the parking spaces on the public street permitted to be utilized by the said valet parking operator whenever their service is not in operation. Failure to do so shall be considered a violation of this chapter, subject to the terms of § 263-5.
As a condition of their operating permit, all valet parking operators and valet parking attendants operating in the Village of Ridgewood shall be subject to, upon request of a Village police officer, a full New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles driver's license lookup. Failure to comply can subject the valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing a valet parking service to the penalties in § 263-5.
As a condition of their operating permit, a valet parking operator shall maintain a log of all attendants employed, along with a copy of their driver's license. Said log shall be available for review by the Village Police Department upon their request. Failure to comply can subject the valet parking operator to the penalties in § 263-5.
As a condition of their operating permit, all valet parking operators and valet parking attendants, upon the completion of the use of the designated valet loading zones, shall securely cover the valet loading zone signage with opaque materials until such time the load zone is used again. Signage shall not be uncovered before 3:00 p.m. on a date the valet loading zone is desired to be used. Failure to comply can subject the valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing a valet parking service to the penalties in § 263-5. In the event a valet operator desires to offer their services prior to 3:00 p.m., for a specific date, they shall seek written permission from the Village Manager to do so.
As a condition of their operating permit, no valet parking operator or valet parking attendants, operating within the public right-of-way and hired by a private business, shall be permitted to charge or request compensation from those using their valet parking services.
Any valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing valet parking services, found to be in violation of the terms and conditions of this chapter shall be subject to suspension or revocation of their permit(s). Grounds for suspension or revocation of the permit(s) shall include, but not be limited to, the following acts.
The valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing valet parking services, through carelessness, negligence, or failure to make proper provision for the safeguarding of vehicles left in their custody, have knowingly or unknowingly facilitated or contributed toward the theft or damage to such a vehicle, or the contents thereof.
The valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing valet parking services, fails to cooperate with the Village Police Department in any investigation of any theft or other crime committed related to the valet parking operations.
The valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing valet parking services knowingly delivers a vehicle in their custody to a person that is not the registered owner nor entitled to its possession.
The valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing a valet parking services operation creates a negative impact to the traffic in the Central Business District or disrupts the peace and quiet within any area of the Village.
Violations shall be cumulative for any and all valet parking operators and valet parking attendants working anywhere in the Village of Ridgewood.
The Village Manager or designee shall designate such officers and personnel of the Village of Ridgewood Police Department and various Village-authorized Code enforcement staff as deemed necessary for the enforcement of applicable provisions of this chapter.
Any valet parking operator, valet parking attendant, or business employing a valet parking services operation found to be operating within the Village of Ridgewood without proper authorization from the Village of Ridgewood shall be liable for a fine of not less than $500 per violation, per day.

References: § 265
 § 263
 § 263
 § 265
 § 249
 § 263
 § 263
 § 263
 § 263