To the Honorable Mayor and City Commission of the City of Deltona:

We, the undersigned residents and property owners of Deltona, Florida, respectfully petition the City Commission to repeal Ordinance 23-2025 — the recent amendment to Chapter 66 of the City Code that prohibits parking any vehicle on or within the public right-of-way. While we understand and support reasonable measures to maintain public safety and accessibility, this ordinance imposes overly broad restrictions that negatively impact residents, families, and property owners across our city. We believe it is not in the best interest of the community for the following reasons:

1. Unreasonable Burden on ResidentsMany homes in Deltona were built decades ago with driveways designed to hold only one or two vehicles, reflecting the needs of that era. Today, most households have three to four vehicles or more, especially in multi-generational homes or those with adult children and working parents. Prohibiting right-of-way parking without providing practical alternatives places an unrealistic and unfair burden on families who cannot expand their driveways due to cost, lot size, or city restrictions.

This ordinance punishes residents for circumstances beyond their control and ignores the realities of modern living. It also disproportionately affects caregivers, service providers, and visitors who have no legal place to park when helping Deltona residents.

2. Negative Impact on Quality of Life

This ordinance limits residents’ ability to host family, friends, and guests and creates unnecessary hardship for households with multiple drivers. It harms seniors and disabled residents who depend on in-home support, and it discourages community engagement by making ordinary social visits more difficult.

3. Inconsistent With Historical Use

For decades, Deltona residents have responsibly parked on grassy right-of-way strips adjacent to their property without incident. This long-standing, harmless practice is now being penalized, creating tension between the city and its citizens and undermining public trust.

4. Potential Effects on Property Values

Restricting residential parking options can make neighborhoods less attractive to buyers and renters, ultimately lowering property values and harming the local housing market.

5. Not Narrowly Tailored to the City’s Goals

If the city’s concern is pedestrian safety, utility access, or emergency vehicle clearance, there are more balanced solutions available — such as prohibiting vehicles that block sidewalks, intersections, hydrants, or utility access points — without a blanket ban that punishes responsible residents.

We respectfully urge the City Commission to reconsider and repeal Ordinance 23-2025 in its entirety.

If total repeal is not immediately possible, we request that the City engage directly with residents to craft a more balanced and flexible policy that ensures safety and accessibility without imposing unnecessary hardship.

We, the undersigned, call upon our elected officials to listen to the voices of the community and act in favor of repealing this ordinance.