Carson Municipal Code Part 6 Parking Regulations

The Public Works Director shall place and maintain signs or markings restricting or limiting the stopping or parking of vehicles in those locations where directed by the City Council, or as otherwise authorized by this Chapter. When appropriate signs and markings are placed, no person shall stop or park any vehicle except in conformity with the signs or markings.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

The Public Works Director may, without City Council authorization, prohibit stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles on any street or highway or portion thereof where the use of such street or highway or a portion thereof is necessary for:

(a) The cleaning, repair or construction of the street or highway,

(b) The installation of underground utilities,

(c) The movement of equipment, articles, or structures of unusual size,

(d) A special event or for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic, or

(e) Where an emergency or other event is likely to cause traffic congestion.

This Section shall not be enforced unless signs giving notice of such prohibition are erected or posted. Except in emergency situations described in subsection (e) of this Section, the signs must be erected at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the enforcement of the prohibition. It shall be unlawful to stop, park or leave standing any vehicle contrary to any sign erected or posted pursuant to this Section except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or as directed by a peace officer.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

The Public Works Director may, without City Council authorization, prohibit the stopping of vehicles by causing appropriate signs or markings to be placed and maintained in the following circumstances:

(a) At any place within thirty (30) feet of a marked crosswalk,

(b) Within thirty (30) feet on the approach to any traffic control signal, stop or yield sign, or flashing beacon, or

(c) At any place for a distance not to exceed one hundred (100) feet (or one-half (1/2) block, whichever is less) where stopped vehicles would unduly hamper free flow of traffic, impair visibility, or endanger public safety or welfare.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 04-1312U §§ 1, 2; Ord. 04-1312 §§ 1, 2; Ord. 04-1324 §§ 1, 2; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

No person driving, in control of, or in charge of, a motor vehicle shall permit the vehicle to stand on any highway unattended when upon any grade exceeding three (3) percent without blocking the wheels of the vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the purpose of washing, polishing, greasing, or repairing such vehicle except for repairs necessitated by an emergency.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

When appropriate signs or markings are placed, no person shall park any vehicle for a period of time in excess of that permitted as indicated on the signs or markings. For time limits of less than one (1) hour, green paint on the curb in the zones, with the time limit stenciled in white, may be used in lieu of signs.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

When appropriate signs prohibiting parking for purposes of street sweeping are posted, no person shall park any vehicle on the day or days during the hours designated on the signs. This Section shall not apply to any commercial vehicle making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, or merchandise from or to any building or other structure, or for the purpose of delivering materials to be used in the repair, alteration, remodeling, or reconstruction of any building or structure for which a building permit has previously been obtained.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

No person shall park any vehicle between any highway curb and the adjacent property line without permission of the City Council.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

No person shall park any vehicle, whether attended or not, in any private driveway or on any private property, without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of the driveway or property.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

When public streets or off-street parking lots are marked with lines designating parking spaces, all vehicles are required to park entirely within the marked spaces.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to promote sustainable and alternative transportation practices; manage the availability of off-street parking, particularly in areas that will maximize the use of electric vehicles; and thereby improve traffic and parking circulation.

(b) Designation of Parking Spaces. The Public Works Director, or designee, is authorized in accordance with the purposes of this Section to designate stalls or spaces in off-street parking facilities owned and operated by the City for the exclusive purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes.

(c) Posting of Signs. The posting required for a stall or space designated pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section shall consist of a sign not less than seventeen (17) by twenty-two (22) inches in size with lettering not less than one (1) inch in height that clearly and conspicuously states the following (with the information referenced in the parentheticals to be filled in pursuant to the direction of the Public Works Director, or designee):

"Unauthorized vehicles not connected for electric charging purposes will be towed away at owner's expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at (address) or by telephoning (telephone number of local law enforcement agency)."

The sign shall be posted in either of the following locations: (A) immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the stall or space; (B) in a conspicuous place at each entrance to the off-street parking facility.

(d) Parking Restrictions in Designated Spaces. If a parking stall or space is posted in accordance with subsection (c) of this Section, a person shall not park or leave standing a vehicle in the stall or space unless the vehicle is connected for electric charging purposes. A person shall not obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to parking stalls or spaces so posted except for the purpose of charging and parking a vehicle that is connected for electric charging purposes. For purposes of this Section, a vehicle that has completed charging and thereafter remains connected to the charging station in the parking stall or space is not considered "connected for electric charging purposes."

(e) Time Limits. The restrictions set forth in subsection (d) of this Section are in addition to the parking time limit restrictions contained in CMC § 3251.6, which may be enforced as to parking stalls or spaces designated pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section in accordance with the provisions of CMC § 3251.6 irrespective of whether or not a vehicle parked in the stall or space is connected for electric charging purposes or has completed charging when the applicable parking time limit expires.

(f) Parking Citations. Any person who violates subsection (d) of this Section is guilty of an infraction as provided in CMC § 3204.

(g) Removal. In addition to and without limitation of any other removal authority the City may have under applicable law, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22511(c)(1), any peace officer as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the California Penal Code, or any regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in the directing of traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of the City, after notifying the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a parking stall or space posted in accordance with subsection (c) of this Section to the nearest garage, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 340, that is owned, leased or approved for use by a public agency if the vehicle is not connected for electric charging purposes.

(Ord. 25-2501 § 2)

The Public Works Director, without City Council direction, may determine the location of commercial and passenger loading zones and place and maintain appropriate signs or marking identifying the zones as provided below:

(a) Commercial loading zones may be established to permit loading or unloading of persons or goods for the time necessary to do so, but in no event for more than twenty (20) minutes and only between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. each day. Such spaces shall be signed or identified with yellow curb paint.

(b) A passenger loading zone shall permit stopping only for loading or unloading of persons for the time necessary to do so, but in no event for more than three (3) minutes, and shall be signed or marked with white curb paint stenciled "Passenger Loading."

(c) A mailbox zone shall permit stopping only for the time necessary to deposit mail in the box, but in no event for more than three (3) minutes, and shall be signed or marked with white curb paint stenciled "Mailbox."

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

No person shall stop a vehicle in an alley other than for loading or unloading of persons or goods for the time necessary to do so, but in no event for more than twenty (20) minutes.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

The Public Works Director may, without City Council direction, designate and establish bus and/ or taxi zones. When such zones are established:

(a) No bus operator shall stop to load or unload other than at a bus stop or passenger loading zone except in an emergency.

(b) No taxi operator shall park an in-service cab other than in a designated taxi zone except for loading or unloading of passengers where stopping is not otherwise prohibited.

(c) No person shall stop any vehicle other than a bus in a bus zone or a taxi in a taxi zone when such zone has been appropriately signed or marked.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

The Public Works Director may, without City Council direction, designate curb parking spaces for exclusive use of vehicles displaying a distinguishing license plate or placard issued for disabled persons by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(Ord. 13-1509 § 3; Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

The Public Works Director may, without City Council direction, designate parking spaces in City-owned, leased, or controlled off-street parking facilities for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying a distinguishing license plate or placard issued for disabled persons by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(Ord. 13-1509 § 3; Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

Parking spaces designated for exclusive use of vehicles displaying a distinguishing license plate or placard issued for disabled persons by the Department of Motor Vehicles shall be marked as required by the California Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 13-1509 § 3; Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

No person shall park or stop any commercial semi-trailer or commercial trailer, boat trailer, vehicle trailer or any other type of trailer on any highway, street, or alley in the City unless such semi-trailer or trailer is, at all times while so parked or stopped, attached to a vehicle capable of moving the semi-trailer or trailer in a normal manner upon the public streets and highways.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

The parking of any commercial vehicle with a gross weight of over six thousand (6,000) pounds, length of over twenty-five (25) feet, or width of over ninety-six (96) inches (total outside width of vehicle or load or combined) is prohibited at all times on any street in the City of Carson except:

(a) At locations and for the time period authorized by City Council and posted by the Public Works Director;

(b) For such time as is reasonably necessary to deliver to or collect goods from or provide a service to a property in the block in which the vehicle is parked. At locations where parking of commercial vehicles with a gross weight of over six thousand (6,000) pounds is permitted overnight, illuminated clearance lights or safety reflectors must be provided and utilized.

(Ord. 92-969 § 1; Ord. 05-1334 § 1)

"Inoperable"

means any vehicle: (a) lacking a current and valid vehicle registration; or (b) in such a condition that it cannot self-propel on City streets. Inoperable vehicles include, but are not limited to, vehicles that have planned nonoperation tags, and vehicles that are on cinder blocks or have flat tires.

"Oversized vehicle"

means any vehicle or combination of attached vehicles that exceeds twenty (20) feet in length, eighty (80) inches in width, or eighty-five (85) inches in height (exclusive of lights, mirrors, antennas, or other legal projections), including, but not limited to, motor homes, recreational vehicles, trailers, boats, truck tractors, decommissioned mail trucks, and fifth-wheel travel trailers. An oversized vehicle does not include pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles that are less than twenty-five (25) feet in length.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)

No person shall park or leave standing any oversized vehicle on any public street, highway, alley, or other public way or public place in the City of Carson, except as provided for in this chapter.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)

The prohibition contained in CMC § 3255.2 shall not apply to any of the following:

(a) An oversized vehicle displaying a valid and current oversized vehicle parking permit issued pursuant to CMC § 3255.4, for the duration of the permit.

(b) Commercial vehicles making pick-ups or delivery of goods, wares, or merchandise, or while providing services to a residence, including, but not limited to, yard maintenance, pool care and maintenance, repairs, and construction services.

(c) Tow trucks and similar vehicles that are in the course of providing services.

(d) Public or utility vehicles that are in the course of providing services.

(e) Any emergency vehicle.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)

(a) Oversized vehicle parking permits may only be issued for addresses in residential zones.

(b) Resident Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit.

(1) An annual resident oversized vehicle parking permit may be issued to a resident of Carson who owns or leases an operable oversized vehicle that is registered at his or her residence. The purpose of the permit is to allow the oversized vehicle to be parked directly in front of the permittee's residence. Oversized vehicles must park directly in front of the property for which the permit has issued (or on the side of the property if it is a corner lot).

(2) No resident permit will issue for properties that can accommodate the parking of such vehicles on the property itself; prior to issuance of the permit, the City will inspect the property to ensure on-site parking is not available. If available parking is being used for storage, or if available parking has been improperly converted to living space, no permit shall issue.

(3) Resident permits shall issue only to persons whose primary residence is within the City of Carson, at the address of their primary residence. No more than one (1) permit shall issue per property and/or property owner.

(c) Accessibility Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit.

(1) Accessibility permits are available to residents under the following conditions:

(A) The applicant must be entitled to receive a handicapped placard or license plate pursuant to the provisions of the California Vehicle Code;

(B) The oversized vehicle is the only vehicle owned by the resident and is required to meet the daily transportation needs of the resident.

(2) Accessibility permits shall not be subject to permit fees.

(3) An oversized vehicle with a current and valid accessibility permit shall not be subject to the restrictions of subsection (f)(A) of this Section relating to schools and parks.

(d) Guest Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit. A guest permit may be issued to a resident of Carson for an oversized vehicle that is registered at an address outside of Carson. The purpose of the guest permit is to allow out-of-town guests to park an oversized vehicle directly in front of the property to which the permit is issued (or on the side of the property if it is a corner lot). Each guest permit shall have a duration of twenty-four (24) hours and a maximum of twenty (20) such permits can be obtained each calendar year for any particular address. No guest permits shall issue for any property for which a current annual oversized vehicle parking permit exists.

(e) Permit Placement. Oversized vehicle parking permits shall be displayed in the lower driver's side of the windshield of the vehicle for which the permit has been issued so that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Failure to properly display the permit is not a correctable violation and may subject the vehicle to citation and/or towing.

(f) Permit Parking Limitations.

(A) Except for any oversized vehicle with a current and valid accessibility permit, oversized vehicles shall not be parked within seven hundred fifty (750) feet of any daycare or school, or within seven hundred fifty (750) feet of any park where children regularly gather.

(B) No person shall run electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, or other items across, above, or on the parkway or sidewalk from a residential or commercial property to an oversized vehicle parked on a public street or highway.

(C) Oversized vehicles shall not create a public nuisance because of noise, accumulation of trash and debris, improper disposal of human refuse, odor, damage or destruction of property or landscaping, or leaking of fuel or fluids.

(D) Oversized vehicles shall not impair traffic visibility, block a street sign or hydrant, or otherwise create a safety hazard.

(E) Oversized vehicles shall not create a disturbance, nuisance, or any condition that is a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, as determined by the City Manager or the Chief of Police.

(F) Oversized vehicles must be operable and must be kept clean and in good condition.

(G) Oversized vehicles shall not encroach on any private or public property, including but not limited to sidewalks, parkways, or driveways.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)

(a) Permit applications shall be filed with the City Manager (which shall include his/her designee) on a form provided by the City, accompanied by a permit fee established by City Council resolution.

(b) The permit applicant must be the resident owner or legal tenant of the property with which the permit application is associated.

(c) The application shall include the following information:

(1) Applicant's name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.

(2) Name, address, telephone number, email address of the owner of the vehicle, and address where the vehicle is registered, if different.

(3) Year, make, and model of the vehicle, license plate number, and vehicle identification number.

(4) A statement that no other active oversize vehicle parking permits exist for this vehicle or this property.

(5) Proof that the oversized vehicle is operable and has a current registration.

(6) For an accessibility permit, proof of handicap status and an affirmation that the applicant meets the requirements of CMC § 3255.4(c).

(d) The City Manager shall review and respond to applications within ten (10) days. If all the requirements of CMC § 3255 et seq. are met, the City Manager shall issue an oversized vehicle parking permit, subject to subsection (e) of this Section. If the application is incomplete, the City Manager shall request additional information. A second incomplete application shall be deemed abandoned. No response shall be deemed a denial.

(e) The City Manager may add reasonable conditions to the permit to protect the health, safety, and welfare.

(f) Renewal applications will require that the applicant submit any new or changed information in writing, and the applicant's affirmation that their primary residence is at the address to which the permit is issued.

(g) Oversized vehicle parking permit applications are subject to a permit fee, as may be established by City Council resolution.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)

(a) The City Manager may deny or revoke an oversized vehicle parking permit based on any one (1) or more of the following grounds:

(1) The permit applicant is no longer a City resident.

(2) The permit applicant made a material misrepresentation on his or her application.

(3) The oversized vehicle to which the permit relates has been parked in violation of the provisions of this Chapter three (3) or more times within a ninety (90) day period.

(4) The oversized vehicle has created a public nuisance because of noise, accumulation of trash and debris, improper disposal of human refuse, odor, damage or destruction of property or landscaping, or leaking of fuel or fluids.

(5) The permit holder, or any other person, has run electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, or other items across, above, or on the parkway or sidewalk from a residential or commercial property to an oversized vehicle parked on a public street or highway.

(6) The oversized vehicle impairs traffic visibility, blocks a street sign or hydrant, or otherwise creates a safety hazard.

(7) Except for accessibility permits, the oversized vehicle is being parked within seven hundred fifty (750) feet of a daycare or school, or within seven hundred fifty (750) feet of any park where children regularly gather.

(8) A City inspection reveals that adequate parking is available on the property itself, as articulated in CMC § 3255.4(b)(2).

(9) The vehicle is creating a disturbance, nuisance, or any condition that is a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, as determined by the City Manager or the Chief of Police.

(10) The oversized vehicle is inoperable or is not kept clean and in good condition.

(11) The oversized vehicle encroaches, or would encroach, on any private or public property, including but not limited to sidewalks, parkways, or driveways.

(b) Revocation Procedure.

(1) The City Manager shall issue a permit revocation notice, which shall be placed on the oversized vehicle and sent by U.S. first class mail to the permittee's mailing address as provided on the permit application. The permit revocation notices shall provide the specific articulable facts in support of the revocation, and shall state that the permit holder may appeal the revocation, in writing, within fifteen (15) days of the date of the revocation notice.

(2) Failure to request an appeal within fifteen (15) days shall result in the immediate revocation of the permit.

(3) If the permittee appeals the revocation, the City Manager shall schedule an appeal hearing within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the appeal. The hearing may be continued once upon a showing of good cause.

(4) The hearing officer will provide a decision in writing within five (5) days of the hearing, which will articulate the hearing officer's findings of fact and conclusions of law. The hearing officer's decision is final and may be challenged pursuant to Sections 1094.5 and 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(5) In the event a permit is revoked, the oversized vehicle will be subject to the City's already existing parking restrictions.

(c) Application for a New Permit after Revocation or Denial. In the event a permit is denied or revoked, no new application can be made for the same property and/or the same vehicle for a minimum of ninety (90) days.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)

(a) Any person who parks or leaves standing an oversized vehicle on a public street or highway in violation of any of the provisions of CMC § 3255 et seq. is guilty of an infraction and will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

(b) Any person who knowingly creates or displays a fraudulent, forged, altered, or counterfeit oversized vehicle parking permit is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c) Any violation of the provisions of this Chapter is deemed a public nuisance.

(d) Each day that a violation continues shall be a new and separate offense.

(e) Violations of any provision of this Chapter may be punished in accordance with CMC § 1200, § 1201, and § 1203 et seq., as well as any remedy at equity or at law available to the City.

(Ord. 18-1815 § 2)