How Fall River Handles Parking Rules: A Practical Guide
Fall River maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with parking rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fall River falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
RV & Boat Parking
Fall River bars parking campers, mobile homes, boats and trailers on any public way when doing so blocks emergency vehicles or apparatus, enforced citywide by police and parking control officers.
Key details: Covered vehicles: Campers, mobile homes, boats, trailers. Trigger: Blocking emergency vehicle access. Enforcement: Police & parking control officers. Adopted: Ord. No. 2024-4 (Feb. 2024).
Enforceable by police officers or parking control officers; obstructing vehicles are subject to towing/removal and the general Chapter 70 traffic penalty.
Snow Removal Parking Rules
When a storm threatens travel or emergency services, Fall River's Mayor or Director of Community Maintenance can declare a parking emergency and ban parking on the hydrant side of every public street.
Key details: Who can declare it: Mayor or Director of Community Maintenance. Where parking is banned: hydrant side of all streets. Fine: $65 per violation. Notice method: announced on public radio. Enforcement: towing under § 70-315.
A parking-ban violation carries a $65 fine under § 70-311; vehicles blocking snow removal or violating the ban may also be towed under § 70-315.
Street Parking Limits
Fall River, Massachusetts bans parking on one-way streets against the flow of traffic, requires wheels within six inches of the curb, and prohibits stopping in front of any private driveway, at intersections, or near fire hydrants.
Key details: Curb clearance: Wheels within 6 inches. One-way streets: Park facing traffic direction. Driveways: No parking in front. Intersections: No parking within 20 ft. Fine: $25 per violation.
Most § 70-312 violations carry a $25 fine under § 70-311(A)(9); driveway-blocking and wrong-way parking are enforced the same way, and vehicles may be relocated at the owner's expense.
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
Fall River bars parking commercial vehicles or trailers of two tons or more on city streets for more than an hour overnight (5 p.m. to 7 a.m.) or at any time on Sunday.
Key details: Governing section: City Code § 70-319. Weight threshold: 2 tons or more capacity. Restricted hours: 5 p.m.-7 a.m., plus all Sunday. Fine: $35 per violation.
Fixed fine of $35 per violation of § 70-319 under City Code § 70-311A(11); enforceable by police and parking control officers.
Abandoned Vehicles
Fall River bans keeping a dismantled, junked, abandoned, or inoperable vehicle in the open on any public or private property unless the owner holds a City junk dealer's license: there's no homeowner exception.
Key details: Applies to: Public or private property. Exception: Licensed junk dealers only. Vehicle count exception: None: applies to any number. General penalty: City Code § 1-15.
Fall River enforces the storage ban under the City's general penalty provision, §1-15 of the Code, and can require the vehicle's removal from the property.
This is one of the stricter rules in Fall River's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Loading Zones
Fall River bans parking in designated loading zones except for active loading or unloading capped at 30 minutes, under posted street-specific hours.
Key details: Loading time limit: 30 minutes maximum. Governing section: City Code § 70-385. Scope: Street-specific zones, posted hours. Amended: May 29, 2018 (Ord. 2018-21).
Parking in a loading zone outside the 30-minute loading/unloading allowance, or during posted restricted hours, is a parking violation subject to citation and possible towing by Fall River police/traffic enforcement.
The Bottom Line
Fall River's parking rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Fall River is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Fall River's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.