School Bus Commercial Vehicle Parking Ordinance

At a glance

What: Amendment to Bridgeport Municipal Code Chapter 10.12 (Stopping, Standing and Parking Generally) to regulate commercial vehicles, tractor-trailers, and school buses parked in residential areas.
Where it stands: Ordinance passed and takes effect August 6, 2026.
Why it matters: Addresses persistent resident complaints about commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers parked in neighborhoods; Council has worked on this for years.

Issue has been on Council agenda for years; multiple Council Members referenced long work history on this topic.
Maria Pereira spent five months researching the issue with aide Ashley; organized press conference for ordinance on August 3, 2026.
Press conference was coordinated with Eneida Martinez and Alfredo Castillo (Co-chairs of Ordinance Committee); held in Mayor's office rather than Council Chambers.
Maria Pereira expressed frustration that press conference was "hijacked" by Council President Herron and Eneida Martinez from the 139th District.
Eneida Martinez responded that the Ordinance Committee (of which she is Co-chair) initiated the press conference; Maria Pereira had worked on ordinance for months, but Ordinance Committee members had been working on this since 2013; initiative was citywide, not district-specific.
Michelle Lyons thanked Committee and full Council for work on ordinance affecting all districts.
Council President Herron noted that ordinance passed; takes effect August 6, 2026; additional work needed on enforcement logistics including towing procedures and other considerations.

Amendment to Chapter 10.12 – Stopping, Standing and Parking Generally passed in consent calendar.
Separate motion to table discussed regarding heavy-duty towing (Chapter 10.22) and municipal accident towing (Chapter 10.26) — this item was withdrawn.
Ordinance passes in Council; takes effect August 6, 2026.

Maria Pereira announced press conference held that day (August 3) on parking ordinance regarding tractor-trailers.
Noted she received many constituent complaints about tractor-trailers and utility hitches.

City Council regular meeting minutes, August 3, 2026: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/CC_CC_2025-2026_20260803_Minutes.pdf
Bridgeport Municipal Code, Chapter 10.12 (Stopping, Standing and Parking Generally)

About 5 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-19 - City Council	5

Second reading passed. Ordinance takes effect August 6, 2026.

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.

What: a commercial vehicle parking ordinance that restricts where school bus drivers can park between assigned trips.
Where it stands: a resident filed proposed ordinance language and asked for a written legal opinion after an October 15 Public Safety and Transportation Committee meeting. Another speaker urged a revote. No council action on 10/19.
Next: committee and city attorney review of the proposal.

Let bus drivers park temporarily at otherwise lawful locations during reasonable intervals between assigned duties, based on actual duties rather than a set number of hours.
Keep existing traffic and public safety limits; prohibit overnight storage and personal use.
Supporters cite mid-shift runs, field trips, athletics, standby and emergency transportation.

A speaker said the restriction should target individual violators, and that students have been walking home since it took effect.
Councilwoman Pereira was criticized by a speaker; her side of the issue is not in this recording.

2026-10-19 - City Council — Sweeney filed proposed ordinance language and asked for a legal opinion; Nicholson urged a revote.
2026-10-05 - City Council - Public comment from school-bus drivers about parking rules and ticket costs; no vote.