Bowling Green, KY Parking Rules: Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (2026)

Bowling Green addresses commercial vehicle parking through layered authorities rather than a single dedicated truck ordinance. On the public street, every vehicle - including a work truck, service van, box truck, or flatbed trailer - is subject to Chapter 22 (Traffic and Motor Vehicles) of the Code of Ordinances and to the state-law parking framework in KRS 189.450, which prohibits stopping or standing within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in an intersection or crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or in other enumerated locations. KRS 189.751 supplies the abandonment clock: any vehicle left on a county road or city street for three consecutive days is presumed abandoned, the public authority can have it towed, and the responsible person faces a fine of $25 to $100 or 10 to 30 days. On private property, Section 27.4.03.a of the Property Maintenance Code (BGKY C27 27.4.03) prohibits keeping any junk motor vehicle - inoperable, untagged, wrecked, or partially dismantled - on private premises longer than three calendar days unless inside an enclosed building. Private-lot towing in Bowling Green is its own regulated subject: the city adopted Ordinance BG2014-5 to govern towing from private parking lots, then amended Chapter 15 (Business and General Regulations) through Ordinance BG2020-38 (immobilization devices), Ordinance BG2022-37 (towing fee limits), and Ordinance BG2026-3 (signage and fee limits), so any commercial vehicle towed from a private lot in Bowling Green is towed under those rules. Loading and unloading operations are not treated as 'parking' under Chapter 22 while actively in progress. For repeat or commercial-scale violations, Code Compliance & Animal Protection (270-393-3444) and the Bowling Green Police Department handle enforcement.