Tradies have been banned from loading zones across the City of Perth after changes to parking laws excluded their vehicles.

The laws, overhauled in February, changed the definition of a “commercial vehicle” to include only vehicles from businesses whose primary service was delivering goods.

While stockists, couriers, florists and pizza delivery drivers are allowed to use the bays, the changes mean tradies, real estate agents and removalists face a $100 fine.

KTA Electrical Services owner Ken Abbotsford, who has worked in the CBD and used loading bays for 30 years, said he first learnt about the law when one of his employees, Chris Ialeggio, was fined.

Mr Abbotsford said the City of Perth should have advertised the new laws and changed signs to indicate trade vehicles were excluded from loading zones.

Camera Icon KTA Electrical Services employees Brendan Mayer and Chris Ialeggio in the Perth CBD. Credit: Picture: Simon Santi, Simon Santi/The West Australian.

“ I think Perth city council are profiting on something that from a moral point of view is ridiculous,” he said.

“If you’re breaking the law, that’s fine, but there should be some sort of sign there saying ‘no trades vehicles’.” Mr Abbotsford said the changes would “dramatically” affect his business. “If there’s a business or resident at a building in Perth and you’re servicing them, you’re going to pay more because it’s going to take us more time,” he said. “That’s what I thought loading zones were there for — unloading something in front of a building.”

A City of Perth spokeswoman said the council clarified the definition of commercial vehicles because drivers were not following time limits.

“The Parking Local Laws needed to be adapted to suit current accessibility requirements,” she said.

“Despite extensive public consultation, the city acknowledges that some motorists may not be aware of the changes and as such the city instructed parking officers to issue cautions for the first offence against any vehicle that was previously permitted to utilise loading zones but no longer qualifies.”