After Complaints, Lacey To Crack Down on Residential Car Repair Businesses

The Lacey Township Committee has committed to tackling the growing issue of home-based car repair shops springing up in the township, a problem that has prompted quality-of-life complaints from some residents.

Mayor Gary Quinn said Thursday that car repair businesses have proliferated in town recently, causing angst for neighbors who are complaining about lines of cars being dropped off at homes as well as environmental issues.

“We’re having some major problems around town,” Quinn said. “I’ve had three individuals call me about situations occurring in residential neighborhoods with repair shops being run from residential homes. We need to have something on the books.”

Complaints have included one resident who reported cars not only being constantly dropped off at a neighbor’s home, but tow trucks dropping cars off at all hours of the night, including a recent 4 a.m. dropoff.

Lacey would join some other local communities, such as Brick Township, in banning the practice of home-based car repair businesses, though Quinn said any ordinance would not interfere with residents who wanted to complete personal car repairs on their property. It would only affect people running repair businesses.

In addition to the quality of life concerns raised by neighbors, Quinn said, there are environmental concerns since the disposal of fluids such as motor oil is not regulated.

Township Attorney Lauren Staiger said she would review ordinances on the books in other local communities and provide options to committee members.

Staiger said an ordinance could be up for introduction at an upcoming meeting.