CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- A Cape Coral man feels he's being targeted by the city's code enforcement department. The resident who lives in SE Cape said he works for a 24-hour tow truck company and has never had an issue with parking his truck in his driveway while on call and overnight until a few weeks ago.
"My vehicle is the tool for my job. It's like telling me I can't have my tool belt at home because I only use it only on commercial stuff," said Brandon Whiteside.
Whiteside said for the past few months he's parked the truck in his driveway without any problems. However, on June 10th he received a city code compliance flyer telling him he was violating city code 3.12.2A. The code prohibits parking any commercial vehicle in a residential area.
"I work in the middle of the night so I need access to this vehicle as soon as I walk out of my door," said Whiteside.
A spokesperson with the city said it's an issue that's been brought to council's attention several times. However, this has been a city code for more than 20 years and the only way it can change is through a council vote. It's now a vote that Whiteside said he's going to push for.
"Even if they just make it for say, 24-hour emergencies. Plumbers can be a 24-hour emergency, electricians, tow trucks, police officers, a lot of different officials," said Whiteside.
A city spokesperson said police cars are considered city vehicles and all city vehicles are exempt from the commercial vehicle code.
