Palm Beach County, Florida — Two long‑time truckers from the rural town of The Acreage filed a lawsuit against the county last month after a new ordinance banned residential truck parking, a practice they had maintained since 2003.

The ordinance, adopted by the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners in February, effectively removes the exemption that had allowed residents to keep their commercial rigs at home for nearly two decades. Jorge Alfaro and Clare Dougal, both CDL‑A drivers, have parked their trucks on their property since 2003, a habit that stopped abruptly when the county began issuing fines following changes to the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC).

Under the ULDC, the county had originally excluded The Acreage from parking restrictions, even though the code in 2003 barred commercial vehicles from residential zones. In 2019 the county struck that exemption, and a 2020 amendment tightened enforcement, leading to citations against Alfaro and Dougal. The February ordinance clarified that only smaller vehicles could remain at home‑based businesses, taking effect July 1. The truckers argue the ban amounts to a regulatory taking and a forced eviction, reducing property values and threatening their livelihoods.

What This Means for Drivers

Owner‑operators who keep their rigs at home now face a sudden risk of fines and possible enforcement actions if they cannot find alternative parking. The rule limits on‑premise parking to vehicles under a certain size, which excludes most CDL‑A trucks. Drivers who rely on home storage to avoid long haul routes will need to secure commercial parking or relocate, adding overhead and disrupting schedules. The change also pressures fleet managers to re‑evaluate asset utilization, potentially increasing idle times and costs.

Industry Reaction

While the county has not responded publicly, the move has raised concerns among trucking groups about the impact of local zoning on long‑haul operations. Many carriers already face tight margins; a sudden loss of home parking could exacerbate fuel and maintenance expenses. Industry advocates warn that local ordinances, when not aligned with FMCSA regulations, can create uneven enforcement and threaten the viability of independent drivers.

Key Points

• The ordinance was adopted in February 2026, banning residential truck parking in The Acreage.
• Alfaro and Dougal have parked their trucks at home since 2003, before the ULDC exemption was removed.
• The county’s 2019 and 2020 amendments tightened enforcement, leading to fines and the current lawsuit.
• Truckers argue the ban is a form of regulatory taking that devalues property and forces displacement.

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