California City Municipal Code Art. 6 Enforcement

This article provides for the enforcement of this chapter.

(a) Vehicles may be seized, stored and sold under Vehicle Code Section 14607.4 et seq. This section establishes procedures and fees for such seizure, storage and sale.

(b) The Chief of Police, or designee, shall seize, store and sell vehicles in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 14607 et seq., and the guidelines promulgated by the Kern County District Attorney.

(c) The Chief of Police may contract with qualified tow truck operations to transport seized vehicles to a convenient place of storage. The Chief of Police may contract for the storage of such vehicles or, with the consent of the City Manager, store such vehicles on secure City property. The Chief of Police shall arrange for the sale of forfeited vehicles.

(d) The City Council shall establish fees sufficient to recover the cost of vehicle seizure, storage and sale from time-to-time by resolution.

A Police officer may remove or cause to be removed:

(a) A vehicle parked or left standing upon a street or highway for seventy-two (72) or more consecutive hours; and

(b) A vehicle parked or left standing upon a street or highway where the use of such street or highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair, or construction of the street or highway or the installation of underground utilities, or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic, or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles, or structure of unusual size and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement: provided, however, signs giving notice that such vehicle may be removed shall be erected or placed at least twenty-four hours (24) prior to the removal.

A person who causes an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall pay for an emergency response, not to exceed $1,000.00. The Chief of Police shall determine the amount of costs associated with the accident.

No person shall interfere with or obstruct an officer or employee of the City in enforcement of this chapter. The removal, obliteration, or concealment of chalk mark or other distinguishing mark used by an officer or employee of the City in connection with the enforcement of the parking provisions of this chapter shall constitute such interference or obstruction if done for the purpose of evading the provisions of this chapter.

(a) The operator of a vehicle or the person in charge of an animal involved in an accident resulting in damages to property publicly owned or owned by a public utility, including, but not limited to, a fire hydrant, parking meter, lighting post, telephone pole, or electric light or power pole, or resulting in damages to a tree, traffic control device, or other property of a similar nature located in or along a street shall, within twenty-four (24) hours after such accident, make a written report of such accident to the Police Department.

(b) The report shall set forth the following information:

(1) The time when and the place where the accident occurred;

(2) The name and address of the person owning and of the person operating or in charge of the vehicle or animal;

(3) The license number of every vehicle; and

(4) A brief description of the property damaged in the accident.

(c) The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident shall not be subject to the requirements or penalties of this section during the time the person is physically incapable of making a report. Such operator shall make the report required by this section within twenty-four (24) hours after regaining the ability to make such report.