A change to a parking ordinance means that Ironton residents may block the sidewalk when they’re parked in their driveways as long as there is room for pedestrians and wheelchairs to get around them.

The amendment, which Ironton City Council passed unanimously at its regular meeting Thursday, makes an exception to an ordinance that prohibits drivers from parking a vehicle besides a bicycle on a sidewalk or street tree lawn area.

The exception allows residents to block the sidewalk with their vehicles as long as there is enough paved space around the vehicles for wheelchairs to get through without going into the street.

“Blocking the sidewalk with a vehicle is illegal,” Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey said. “(The amendment) allows that if someone has a driveway going to a garage they can block the sidewalk as long as there’s room to walk around the vehicle.”

The ordinance also says the alternative route has to consist of the same material as the sidewalk and meet ADA standards for accessible design for a single wheelchair access. Less than half of the vehicle width or length of the vehicle may project over the sidewalk, the ordinance states. The alternative route must not also not occupy the street used for vehicle traffic or parking.

Danny Tackett, a resident of Ninth and Vine streets, was one of two men who came to a city council meeting April 14 and asked council members to consider amending the ordinance.

They and another man had received parking tickets while their vehicles were parked in their driveways, he said. Someone with a wheelchair had complained to the Ironton Police Department that he or she was not able to get around the parked vehicles, he said. Tackett presented to council pictures proving that wheelchairs were able to get around the vehicles and that the neighborhood where they live does not have handicap-accessible curbs.

Tackett contested his ticket and it was dismissed, he said.

Tackett said Monday he was pleased that council amended the ordinance.