Heavy commercial trucks soon will be able to park in Sumner’s busy 24th Street-State Route 167 interchange area.

The City Council on Monday unanimously passed an ordinance allowing private truck parking lots, as long as they’re part of larger sites holding retail such as restaurants or hotels.

Standalone truck stops still won’t be allowed.

“We’re not sure there’s anything quite like this in Washington. It’s groundbreaking,” said Carmen Palmer, city spokeswoman.

The interchange acts as the driveway to the city’s north-end industrial area. Much of the land around the interchange today is vacant, but property owners say it’s prime for businesses catering to truck drivers.

The city, however, has been restricting truck parking in the area while it determines what it wants to allow.

Under the new rules, property owners can have truck parking lots that encompass no more than 40 percent of a site. Landscaping and secure entrances are required, and lot owners generally will have to charge a parking fee so they have money for security.

The council Monday also approved a 15-percent tax on commercial parking revenue.