Calabasas Municipal Code Ch. 10.20 Regulation of Mobile Billboard Advertising Displays

It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing a mobile billboard advertising display on any public street or public lands in the city.

(Ord. No. 2011-291, § 1, 12-14-2011)

For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

"Mobile billboard advertising display" means an advertising display that meets either of the following criteria:

1. Is attached to a wheeled, mobile, non-motorized vehicle used to carry, pull, or transport a sign or billboard for advertising purposes; or

2. Is attached to a motorized vehicle but is not permanently affixed.

An advertising display that is permanently affixed to the body of a motor vehicle, constitutes an integral part of the vehicle, or serves as a fixture for permanent decoration, identification, or display—and that does not extend beyond the vehicle's overall length, width, or height—shall not be considered a mobile billboard advertising display.

"Permanently affixed" means any of the following:

1. Painted directly on the body of a motor vehicle;

2. Applied as a decal on the body of a motor vehicle; or

3. Installed in a location on the body of a motor vehicle that was specifically designed by the vehicle manufacturer, as defined in Section 672 of the Vehicle Code and licensed pursuant to Section 11701 of the vehicle code, in compliance with applicable state and federal laws or guidelines, for the express purpose of containing an advertising sign.

(Ord. No. 2011-291, § 1, 12-14-2011; Ord. No. 2025-417, § 1, 11-12-2025)

Pursuant to Section 22651, Subdivision (v), of the California Vehicle Code, any peace officer, or any regularly employed and salaried employee of the city, who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations may remove a mobile billboard advertising display found upon any public street or any public lands in the city when all of the following are true:

A. The mobile billboard advertising display is parked or left standing in violation of this Code;

B. The registered owner of the mobile billboard advertising display was previously issued a warning citation for the same offense;

C. The warning citation was issued to a first-time offender at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the removal of the mobile billboard advertising display and the warning citation advised the registered owner of the mobile billboard advertising display that he or she may be subject to penalties upon a subsequent violation that may include the removal of the mobile billboard advertising display.

Pursuant to Section 22651(v)(2) of the California Vehicle Code, the city is not required to provide further notice for any subsequent violation prior to enforcement.

(Ord. No. 2011-291, § 1, 12-14-2011)

Pursuant to section 22852 of the California Vehicle Code:

A. Whenever agency peace officer, non-sworn code enforcement officer, or non-sworn parking enforcement officer of the city directs the storage or impoundment of a mobile billboard advertising display, the city shall direct the storage operator to provide the registered and legal owner(s) of record of the mobile billboard advertising display, or their agent(s), opportunity for a post-storage hearing to determine whether reasonable grounds justified the removal. Notice of the storage shall be mailed or personally delivered to the registered and legal owner(s) within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding weekends and holidays.

B. The owner(s) of record, or their agent(s), must request a hearing in writing, within ten (10) days of the date appearing on the notice or the right to hearing is waived.

C. The city shall conduct the hearing within forty-eight (48) hours, excluding weekends and holidays, of receipt of the request under subsection B of this section. The city shall inform the person requesting the hearing of the time and place for the hearing.

D. The city may authorize any officer or employee to conduct the hearing, provided that the hearing officer is not the person who directed the storage of the vehicle. The hearing officer shall determine the validity of the removal and storage of the mobile billboard advertising display at the conclusion of the hearing.

E. Following the hearing, if the hearing officer finds that the mobile billboard advertising display was improperly removed and stored, it shall be released to the owner at the storage facility and the city shall bear the cost of removal and storage. Otherwise, the mobile billboard advertising display shall be returned to the owner only after payment of any and all fines or fees, including, but not limited to: penalties under section 10.20.050 of this chapter; any outstanding amounts owed to the city for previous violations involving the same or similar mobile billboard advertising display; and the costs of removal and storage incurred by the city up to the time of release. The hearing officer shall determine the total amount to be paid prior to release of the mobile billboard advertising display, consistent with this subsection.

(Ord. No. 2011-291, § 1, 12-14-2011)

After an initial warning citation, any subsequent offense of this chapter is a misdemeanor, punishable pursuant to Section 1.16.020 of this Code, and is also subject to a parking citation carrying a fine consistent with the most recently adopted schedule of parking penalties.

(Ord. No. 2011-291, § 1, 12-14-2011; Ord. No. 2025-417, § 1, 11-12-2025)

It is the intent of this chapter to implement the provisions of the California Vehicle Code authorizing the city to regulate the parking of mobile billboard advertising displays. Reference to any section of the Vehicle Code is for the convenience of those governed by this chapter and those who must enforce it and does not imply that other, relevant provisions of the Vehicle Code are not applicable, nor is this chapter intended to duplicate, vary from or be preempted by the Vehicle Code. This chapter shall be construed in light of this intent.

(Ord. No. 2011-291, § 1, 12-14-2011)