St. Paul Proposal Would Prohibit Large Trucks From Parking on City Streets

Writing in the Star Tribune, James Walsh describes a proposal to ban large trucks from parking on St. Paul streets. As Walsh notes, “Trucks are prohibited only in St. Paul's residential areas. But under a proposed amendment to city parking rules, those weighing more than 26,000 pounds would be banned from parking on any city street.”

Local businesses and residents say the rule is necessary to prevent trucks from blocking entrances and driveways and limiting visibility for pedestrians and drivers. The article quotes St. Paul public works director Sean Kershaw, who told City Council that “City streets simply weren't designed to have trucks taking up curb space.” 

But truckers worry that the rule, like a similar one passed by Minneapolis in 2021, will cost them valuable work time by forcing them to park miles away from their homes. According to Walsh, “The Minneapolis ban has resulted in more trucks parking in parts of St. Paul close to the border between the two cities,” prompting the St. Paul proposal.