As of late truck parking and truck traffic in Auburn’s downtown have been causing more problems than they have in the past.

Out-of-town businesses have been parking trucks on city streets, sometimes many at the same time, depositing trash, used vehicle parts, fluids and waste to foul the rights of way and sensitive areas.

At the same time, more and more large trucks that are not making deliveries have instead been using downtown streets for through-trips, sometimes damaging lights and poles in the process.

To reduce these impacts while assisting truckers, the City has changed a few lines of City code relating to truck parking and truck movements in a downtown traffic control zone.

Effective Jan. 1, on- street parking for trucks 16,000 pounds or over will be allowed only for vehicles registered to an Auburn resident having an Auburn business license.

To park a truck on those public streets where truck parking is allowed, the City will require a new parking permit to be displayed on the vehicle. Only one parking permit will be issued to each eligible business.

It creates a traffic control zone in the downtown area. Trucks 16,000 pounds or over will be prohibited from operating within this zone – except to originate or make local deliveries.

“It allows the city to restrict large trucks that damage lights and side structures as they make their way downtown when they are not making specific deliveries but using downtown as a way to get around traffic,” said Deputy Mayor Largo Wales. “It also is going to be a way for us to allow businesses that are not at the center of our city to park one large truck with a permit for free, so we can keep track of what trucks are parking on the streets.”