Title 67 Transportation, Chapter 443 Roadside Rest Areas
Synopsis: These are the full set of rules adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding the public use of its rest areas.
Authority
The provisions of this Chapter 443 issued and amended under section 8 of the act of June 7, 1961 (P. L. 257, No. 151) (36 P. S. § 478.18), unless otherwise noted.
Source
The provisions of this Chapter 443 adopted April 28, 1972, effective April 29, 1972, 2 Pa.B. 766, unless otherwise noted.
§ 443.1. Purpose and policy.
(a) This chapter is promulgated for the purpose of providing comfortable, convenient, clean, attractive and safe places for the general motoring public and to set forth rules to insure the maximum comfort, convenience, cleanliness, health and safety of those members of the general public using the facilities.
(b) This chapter applies to all rest areas administered by the Department, including those containing information centers for the traveling public, that is, Welcome Centers.
(c) This chapter is intended to limit activities and actions in roadside rest areas to those that are consistent with the purpose of the facilities.
Source
The provisions of this § 443.1 amended October 24, 2014, effective October 25, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6777. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (251083).
Cross References
This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 443.2 (relating to prohibited activities or actions).
§ 443.2. Prohibited activities or actions.
The following specified activities or actions are prohibited in roadside rest areas:
(1) Failure to comply with posted traffic signs and markings.
(2) Parking or standing of a vehicle for more than 2 hours in a single 24-hour period or in excess of the posted time limit. Vehicles unattended for more than 24 hours will be considered abandoned and subject to removal and storage at the sole cost and expense of the owner.
(3) Driving or parking of a vehicle in areas other than those provided.
(4) Defacing or damaging buildings or other facilities.
(5) Igniting or maintaining fires for heating or cooking equipment, except in areas or facilities designed for the purpose.
(6) Depositing or disposing of refuse or waste, except picnic waste and contents of vehicle litter bags, which shall be deposited only in areas or containers provided for that purpose. Disposing of camping, sewage or household refuse in these areas is prohibited.
(7) Consumption of alcoholic beverages or the use, possession or delivery of controlled substances.
(8) Discharging or shooting of firearms or bows and arrows, hunting or fishing, or parking of vehicles for the purpose of hunting or fishing outside of the rest area.
(9) Maintenance or repairing of vehicles or attachments to vehicles—oil changes, filter replacements, draining of coolants, washing vehicles or attachments to vehicles, motor disassembly or assembly, and the like—except in emergencies or when the vehicle has been placed out of service by law enforcement after roadside inspection and the repairs needed to return the vehicle to service can be completed within 2 hours. If the repairs needed to return the vehicle to service cannot be completed within 2 hours, the vehicle should be towed for repair to an appropriate garage or repair facility.
(10) Release of pets or unloading of livestock, with the following exceptions:
(i) Animals on leashes are permitted only in areas designated as pet areas.
(ii) Pets may be permitted off-leash in designated fenced-in areas.
(iii) Seeing-eye dogs and service dogs are not restricted.
(11) Picking, cutting, breaking, damaging or abuse of plants or vegetation or parts thereof.
(12) Use of the area or facilities for bathing or washing of garments or clothing.
(13) Sale of a product or conduct of other commercial activity listed in subparagraph (i) or (ii) except when authorized by law or when, in furtherance of the needs of the traveling public, the Department authorizes, by written agreement:
(i) Commercial activities, sponsorship opportunities, or vending and communication facilities in roadside rest areas along limited access rights of way.
(ii) Commercial activities, sponsorship opportunities, or vending or communication facilities in roadside rest areas not along limited access rights of way.
(14) Driving a motor vehicle in excess of 25 miles per hour, except on entrance or exit ramps.
(15) Use of the area or facilities when closed for the season or closed for any other reason.
(16) Engaging in loud, boisterous or abusive conduct or engaging in or soliciting lewd or lascivious conduct, including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse, indecent exposure, open lewdness or prostitution.
(17) Skateboarding, rollerblading, skating, biking, sledding or riding of all-terrain vehicles.
(18) Camping overnight or setting up a tent, sleeping anywhere but in a legally parked vehicle or remaining anywhere at a roadside rest area for more than 2 hours or as otherwise posted.
(19) Smoking in areas designated as ‘‘no smoking.’’
(20) Distributing written materials, except on terms and conditions the Department deems appropriate.
(21) Use of the area or facilities for special events, except for free ‘‘coffee break’’ events and similar nonprofit activities for the traveling public when approved by the Department and on terms and conditions the Department deems appropriate.
(22) Other potentially disruptive activities that interfere with the proper functioning of the rest area for the purposes in § 443.1 (relating to purpose and policy), including, but not limited to:
(i) Soliciting, harassing, intimidating or coercing travelers.
(ii) Impeding the movement of pedestrians or interrupting traffic flow.
(iii) Picketing, demonstrating or performing oration or similar activities.
Source
The provisions of this § 443.2 amended April 28, 1978, effective April 29, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 1193; amended January 18, 1980, effective January 19, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 218; amended September 17, 1982, effective September 18, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 3296; amended October 24, 2014, effective October 25, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6777. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (251083) to (251084).
Cross References
This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 443.3 (relating to additional prohibited activities or actions on noninterstate highways).
§ 443.3. Additional prohibited activities or actions on noninterstate highways.
In addition to the activities prohibited in § 443.2 (relating to prohibited activities or actions), parking of commercial vehicles or the parking of a vehicle between dusk and dawn is prohibited in roadside rest areas along noninterstate highways unless otherwise posted by the Department.
Source
The provisions of this § 443.3 amended October 24, 2014, effective October 25, 2014, 44 Pa.B. 6777. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (251084).
