New Mexico town bans big rig parking on public streets

Police in a southeastern New Mexico town are warning the trucking community about a new parking ordinance going into effect soon.

The City of Hobbs approved a new ordinance earlier this year forbidding heavy truck/trailer parking on public roads as a matter of “safety” and “quality of life to the citizens of Hobbs.”

“For the first thirty (30) days after this ordinance goes into effect, the Hobbs Police Department Police Officers, Code Enforcement Officers, and Police Service Aids will only be offering educational/awareness information regarding this ordinance. The next thirty (30) days will include continued education/awareness information and, as necessary, warning citations. We want to provide everyone the opportunity to fully understand and cooperate with the new ordinance prior to issuing any penalty assessment citations. If you or someone you know receives a card, like the one pictured below, please understand that this is information being distributed throughout the community for increased awareness. General enforcement of this ordinance will begin July 1, 2023,” the Hobbs Police Department said.

In an April statement leading up to the passing of the ordinance, the Hobbs Police Department shared the following information on the ordinance:

A heavy truck or trailer is defined under the ordinance as having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 26,000 pounds. This ordinance will apply to the following vehicles defined by the Department of Transportation classes of large trucks:

• Class 7 – Heavy Truck 26,001 – 33,000 pounds

o Autocar ACMD, GMC C7500, Peterbilt 220 & 337, Ford F-750, HINO 338

• Class 8 – Heavy Truck 33,001+ pounds

o Autocar ACX, International WorkStar, Kenworth T600, Kenworth T660, Kenworth T680, Peterbilt 579, Peterbilt 389, Semi-Trailer trucks fall into this category

• Class 9 – Super-Heavy/Special Duty Truck 33,001+ pounds

o Usually class 8 trucks with special duty characteristics, e.g. Autocar ACX 12×6, International WorkStar, Western Star 6900 (6900XD or 6900TS)

Additionally, no trailers with or without power, hitched or unhitched, and longer than 20 feet exclusive of the trailer tongue, will be allowed to park on any public street. Violators could face a fine and/or towing of the illegally parked truck or trailer.