Coalinga Municipal Code Art. 7 Stopping, Standing and Parking

(a) The provisions of this title prohibiting the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a Police Officer or official traffic control device.

(b) The provisions of this title imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code or the ordinance of this City prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager shall designate established no-stopping zones by placing and maintaining appropriate signs indicating that stopping of vehicles is prohibited and indicating the hours and days when stopping is prohibited.

(b) During the hours and on the days designated on the signs, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop said vehicle on any of the streets or parts of streets established by resolution of the Council as no-stopping zones.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager is authorized to maintain, by appropriate signs or by paint upon the curb surface, all no-stopping zones, no-parking areas and restricted parking areas, as defined and described in this title.

(b) When said curb markings or signs are in place no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation of any of the provisions of this title.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) Green curb marking shall mean no standing or parking for a period of time longer than twenty-four (24) minutes at any time between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, except Sundays and holidays.

(b) When authorized signs and curb markings have been determined by the City Manager to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb markings or sign in violation thereof.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the City Manager to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for a period of time longer than one (1) hour.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the City Manager to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for a period of time longer than two (2) hours.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) Whenever the City Manager shall determine that an emergency traffic congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings or functions, or for other reason, the City Manager shall have power and authority to order temporary signs to be erected or posted indicating that the operation, parking or standing of vehicles is prohibited on such streets and alleys as the City Manager shall direct during the time such temporary signs are in place. Such signs shall remain in place only during the existence of such emergency, and the City Manager shall cause such signs to be removed promptly thereafter.

(b) When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall operate, park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions and provisions of such signs.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager is authorized to erect signs restricting pupil/student parking upon any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.

(b) When official signs are erected prohibiting parking upon a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) On any of the streets or portions of streets established by resolution of the Council as diagonal parking zones, when signs or pavement markings are in place indicating such diagonal parking, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park said vehicle except:

(1) At the angle to the curb indicated by signs or pavement markings allotting space to parked vehicles and entirely within the limits of said allotted space;

(2) With the front wheel nearest the club within six (6) inches of said curb.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply when such vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading passengers, freight or goods, in which event the provisions applicable in Sections 4-7.10, 4-7.21, 4-7.22 and 4-7.24 shall be complied with.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be stopped or parked with eighteen (18) inches of the left-hand curb facing in the direction of traffic movement upon any one-way street unless signs are in place prohibiting such stopping or standing.

(b) In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway unless signs are in place permitting such standing or parking.

(c) The City Manager is authorized to determine when standing or parking shall be prohibited upon the left-hand side of any one-way street, or when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any one-way roadway of a highway having two (2) or more separate roadways, and shall erect signs giving notice thereof.

(d) The requirement of parallel parking imposed by this section shall not apply in the event any commercial vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading freight or goods, in which case such vehicle may be backed up to the curb; provided, that said vehicle does not extend beyond the centerline of the street and does not block traffic thereby.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager is authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking spaces adjacent to curbings where authorized parking is permitted.

(b) When such parking space markings are placed on the highway, subject to other and more restrictive limitations, no vehicle shall be stopped, left standing or parked other than within a single space unless the size or shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this title, to place, and when required herein shall place, the following curb markings to indicate parking or standing regulations, and said curb markings shall have the meanings as set forth in this section.

(1) Red shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time except as permitted by the Vehicle Code, and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.

(2) Yellow shall mean no stopping, standing or parking as any time between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for any purpose other than the loading and unloading of passengers or materials; provided, that the loading or unloading or passengers shall not consume more than three (3) minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty (20) minutes.

(3) White shall mean no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers, or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox, which shall not exceed three (3) minutes, and such restrictions shall apply between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays and except as follows:

(i) When such zone is in front of a hotel or in front of a mailbox, the restrictions shall apply at all times;

(ii) When such zone is in front of a theater, the restrictions shall apply at all times except when such theater is closed.

(4) Blue curb markings shall mean no standing or parking for other than vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or a placard issued to disable persons or veterans. Such parking shall be indicated by blue paint on the curb or edge of the paved portion of the street adjacent to the space.

(b) When the City Manager, as authorized under this chapter has caused curb markings and/or signs to be placed, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb markings and/or signs in violation of any of the provisions of this section.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, park or leave standing such vehicle in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a Police Officer or other authorized officer, or traffic sign or signal:

(a) Within any divisional island unless authorized and clearly indicated with appropriate sign or markings;

(b) On either side of any street between the projected property lines of any public walk, public steps, street or thoroughfare terminating at such street, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(c) In any area where the City Manager determines that the parking or stopping of a vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(d) In any area established as a no-parking area, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(e) In any area where the parking or stopping of any vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property;

(f) On any 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 necessary for the movement of equipment, articles or structures of unusual size, and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided, that signs giving notice of such no-parking are erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective time of such no-parking;

(g) At any place within twenty (20) feet of a point on the curb immediately opposite the mid-block end of a safety zone, when such place is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

(h) At any place within twenty (20) feet of a crosswalk at an intersection when such place is indicated by appropriate signs or red paint upon the curb surface, except that a bus may stop at a designated bus stop;

(i) Within twenty-five (25) feet of the approach to any traffic signal, boulevard stop sign, or official electric flashing device.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager is authorized to place signs or markings indicated no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed twenty-five (25) feet, or upon one (1) side of the street as indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty (30) feet.

(b) When official signs or markings prohibiting parking are erected upon narrow streets as authorized herein, no person shall park a vehicle upon any such street in violation of any such sign or marking.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall stand or park any vehicle, wagon or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables or foodstuffs are sold, displayed, solicited or offered for sale or bartered or exchanged, or any lunch wagon or eating car or vehicle, on any portion of any street within this City, except that such vehicles, wagons or pushcarts may stand or park only at the request of a bona fide purchaser for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) minutes at any one place. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to persons delivering such articles upon order of or by agreement with a customer from a store or other fixed place of business or distribution.

(b) No person shall park or stand on any street any lunch wagon, eating cart or vehicle, or pushcart from which tamales, peanuts, popcorn, candy, ice cream or other articles of food are sold or offered for sale, without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the City Manager which shall designate the specific location in which such cart shall stand.

(c) No person shall park or stand any vehicle or wagon used or intended to be used in the transportation of property for hire on any street while awaiting patronage for such vehicle or wagon without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the City Manager which shall designate the specific location where such vehicles may stand.

(d) Whenever any permit is granted under the provisions of this section and a particular location to park or stand is specified therein, no person shall park or stand any bicycle, wagon, or pushcart on any location other than as designated in such permit. In the event that the holder of any such permit is convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction for violating any of the provisions of this section, such permit shall be forthwith revoked by the City Manager upon the filing of the record of such conviction with such officer, and no permit shall thereafter be issued to such person until six (6) months have elapsed from the date of such revocation.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

No commercial dealer shall park said vehicle upon any street in this City for the purpose of advertising or displaying it for sale unless authorized by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

No person shall construct or cause to be constructed, repair or cause to be repaired, grease or cause to be greated, dismantle or cause to be dismantled any vehicle or any part thereof upon any public street in this City. Temporary emergency repairs may be made upon a public street.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

No person shall wash or cause to be washed, polish or cause to be polished any vehicle or any part thereof upon any public street in this City, when a charge is made for such service.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

When authorized signs are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in excess of twenty (20) feet in length on any street or portion thereof designated by the City Manager.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of persons or materials in any alley.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) For purposes of this section, "commercial vehicle" is any commercial vehicle, commercial truck and/or commercial trailer having a manufacturers gross vehicle weights rating as defined in the Vehicle Code greater than ten thousand (10,000) pounds but shall not include recreational vehicles. By way of example, but not limitation, a tractor and trailer(s) or single trailer exceeding the weight criteria specified are a truck.

(b) No person shall park any commercial vehicle on the streets of the City except:

(1) While loading and unloading property and it is necessary to do so during the restricted hours, in such case the parking of such trucks shall not continue for more than sixty (60) minutes;

(2) When a vehicle is parked in connection with and in aid of the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked and additional time in excess of sixty (60) minutes is reasonably necessary to complete such service;

(3) By Council action. By resolution the City Council may designate and describe any street or portion thereof as a street the use of which is permitted for the parking, stopping, standing, or storing of any truck. In making such designation, the City Council may, but is not required to, consult with the planning commission, the traffic safety committee, or such other bodies or consultants as it may deem advisable.

(4) When a commercial vehicle is parked in a designated parking location for no longer than seventy-two (72) hours.

(c) Signage. The restrictions imposed by this section shall not be effective until the director of the department of public works shall have caused the placement of signs or markings as required by the California Vehicle Code at all entrances to the City to give notice to the public thereof. In addition, these restrictions shall not be effective as to state highways unless the City shall have received written authorization for such restrictions or prohibitions from the California Department of Transportation.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987; Ord. No. 817, § 1, eff. 3-9-2019)

When authorized signs are in place giving notice of such restriction, no person shall park any vehicle exceeding a maximum gross weight of three (3) tons on any public City street or alley for a period of time longer than four (4) hours, except when loading or unloading property or when such vehicle is parked in connection with and in aid of the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which the vehicle is parked.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, unless otherwise apparent from the context, the following words and phrases used in this section are defined as set forth in this subsection:

"Automotive semitrailer" shall mean a vehicle designed for carrying persons or property, used in conjunction with a motor vehicle, and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon, or is carried by, another vehicle.

"Automotive trailer" shall mean a vehicle designed for carrying persons or property on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon any other vehicle.

"Recreational vehicle" shall mean a motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motor power, built on a single chassis, designed for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, either self-propelled, truck-mounted, or towable on the highways.

"Trailer coach" shall mean a vehicle other than a motor vehicle, designed for human habitation or human occupancy for industrial, professional, or commercial purposes, for carrying property on its own structure, and for being drawn by a motor vehicle.

"Vessel" shall mean all manner of watercraft, other than a seaplane, whether impelled by wind, oars, or mechanical devices, and which is designed primarily for recreational use. A recreational vessel, when mounted on a boat trailer, and its towing vehicle, when parked, shall be considered to be one unit, exclusive of its towing vehicle.

(b) At no time shall such an automotive trailer, automotive semitrailer, trailer coach, recreational vehicle, or vessel be occupied when parked or stored within the City, including on private property.

(c) Exceptions:

(1) It shall be lawful for non-paying guests at a residence in a residential district to occupy the unit, parked in conformity with all parking regulations on private property, for purposes of sleeping, loading and unloading of merchandise or passengers, only for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) calendar days.

(2) It shall be lawful for non-paying guests at a residence in a residential district to occupy the unit, parked in conformity with all parking regulations on a City street, for purposes of sleeping, loading and unloading of merchandise or passengers, only for a period not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours unless authorized by the Chief of Police in writing for not more than twenty-four (24) additional hours.

(d) The total number of days during which any such unit may be occupied shall not exceed fourteen (14) days in any one (1) calendar year.

(e) For purposes of this section evidence of human habitation shall include activities such as sleeping, setting up housekeeping or cooking, eating, recreating, and/or any other activity where it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the vehicle is being used as a living accommodation.

(Ord. No. 829, § 1, eff. 5-4-2019)

(a) No person who owns or has possession or control of a vehicle, including but not limited to a recreational vehicle, camper, fifth-wheel trailer, boat or trailer, shall park or leave the vehicle standing on a public street, way or any public parking facility within the City for a period of seventy-two (72) hours or more. For purposes of this code, a vehicle is considered parked or left standing if it remains in the same location or has not been moved at least one-half mile during the seventy-two (72) hour period. If visible, the mileage reflected on the odometer of the vehicle shall be rebuttably presumed to be an accurate indication of the distance that the vehicle has or has not been moved. Obstruction of the odometer of the vehicle will result in the presumption that the vehicle has not been moved. Absent any presumption, the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to tire markings, vegetation and vehicle condition shall be considered in determining whether the vehicle has or has not been moved.

(b) A recreational vehicle, camper, fifth-wheel trailer, boat or trailer that is parked or left on a public street, way or any public parking facility, once moved, shall not be re-parked or returned to any location within one-half (½) mile of the location where such recreational vehicle, camper, fifth-wheel trailer, boat or trailer was first parked sooner than forty-eight (48) hours following the time that the recreational vehicle, boat or trailer is first moved.

(c) If a vehicle is parked or left standing on a public street, way or any public parking facility in violation of this section, any peace officer of this state or code enforcement officer for the City may issue a citation or cause the vehicle to be removed from the public street, way or public parking facility in the manner permitted by and subject to the requirements of the Vehicle Code.

(d) If a citation is issued, payment to the City of Coalinga of a fine in an amount established pursuant to this code, as it may from time to time be amended. Each day during which a violation continues is a new and separate violation of this section.

(e) Signage. The restrictions imposed by this section shall not be effective until the director of the department of public works shall have caused the placement of signs or markings as required by the California Vehicle Code at all City entrances to give notice to the public thereof. In addition, these restrictions shall not be effective as to state highways unless the City shall have received written authorization for such restrictions or prohibitions from the California Department of Transportation.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, eff. 10-20-2018)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 818, § 1, adopted September 20, 2018, effective October 20, 2018, set out provisions intended for use as § 4-4.722. For purposes of classification, and at the editor's discretion, these provisions have been included as § 4-4.722.2.

(a) Upon the passage of a resolution by the City Council the City Manager is authorized to determine and to mark loading zones and passenger loading zones as follows:

(1) At any place in the business district;

(2) Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for the purpose of public assembly.

(b) In no event shall more than one-half of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes.

(c) Loading zones shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the top of all curbs in said zones.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) Permission herein granted to stop or stand a vehicle for purposes of loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial vehicles and shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefor, and in no event for more than twenty (20) minutes.

(b) The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, also the delivery or pick up of express and parcel post packages and United States Mail.

(c) Permission herein granted to stop or park for purposes of loading or unloading passengers shall include the loading or unloading of personnel baggage, but shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefor and in no event for more than three (3) minutes.

(d) Within the total time limits above specified, the provisions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting abuse of the privileges hereby granted.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

(a) The City Manager is authorized to establish bus zones opposite curb space for the loading and unloading of buses or common carriers of passengers and to determine the location thereof.

(b) Bus zones shall normally be established on the far side of an intersection.

(c) No bus zone shall exceed eighty (80) feet in length, except that when satisfactory evidence has been presented to the City Traffic Engineer showing the necessity therefor, the City Traffic Engineer may extend bus zones not to exceed a total length of one hundred twenty-five (125) feet.

(d) The City Manager shall paint a red line stencil, with white letters, "NO STANDING," together with the words "BUS ZONE" upon the top of all curbs and places specified as a bus zone.

(e) No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle except a bus in a bus zone.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

The City Manager may determine that certain streets should be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic after review of traffic studies or reports which reflect such necessity for closing the street.

(Ord. 536, eff. October 3, 1987)

All private access roadways for fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles shall not be obstructed in any manner. "NO PARKING" signs not less than seventeen (17) inches by twenty-two (22) inches in size shall be posted and maintained by the property owner as required by the Fire Chief. Curbing adjacent to such access roadways shall be painted as required by the Fire Chief. The owner or person in lawful possession of the property over which the private access roadway for fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles exist shall cause the removal of a vehicle parked on such property in violation of this section.

(a) The "NO PARKING" signs required by this section shall contain the words "NO PARKING" in letters not less than four (4) inches in height. Each sign shall also contain tin capital letters at three (3) inches high the words "TOW AWAY". Each sign shall contain the words "COALINGA POLICE DEPARTMENT" in capital letters at least one (1) inch in height and the telephone number of that department in numerals at least one (1) inch in height. Each sign shall bear the name of the owner or person in lawful possession of the property at the time of any removal of any vehicle and who has authorized the removal of any vehicle from such private property. Such name shall be in capital letters on-inch high.

(b) No person shall open, move, tow, or take possession of any vehicle on private property or attach any towing equipment thereto or take possession of any personal property contained therein or attached thereto, unless and until he shall have given notice to the Police Department of his intention so to do in such manner as may be specified by the Chief of Police. Any person causing removal of vehicles in accordance with the provision of this section shall also comply with the provisions of California Vehicle Code Section 22658 and any amendments thereto.

(§ 2, Ord. 614, eff. December 18, 1993)

No person shall park a vehicle in a parking stall that is designated, signed, and marked for handicapped parking, unless such person is handicapped and carries proper identification in the vehicle as provided by the State.

(§ 2, Ord. 614, eff. December 18, 1993)

A business may lease parking spaces within public parking lots for that business' specific use pursuant to this section. Such a lease shall be granted only upon positive recommendation by the City Planning Department and thereafter by approval of the City Council. The costs for establishing reserved spaces shall be passed to the business requesting such reservation.

No person shall drive or park a motor vehicle upon land or premises where the owner or the person occupying or having possession, or the agents thereof, have posted on such property or premises a notice in substantially the following form, and where permission therein referred to shall not have been granted:

(a) A statement that parking is restricted and to whom it applies;

(b) A statement that violators may or will be cited; and

(c) A reference to this Municipal Code section.

Any vehicle parked or left standing in violation of a parking prohibition established under this Municipal Code may be removed pursuant to State law.

(Ord. No. 816, eff. 9-20-2018)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 816, adopted September 20, 2018, renumbered the former § 4-4.730, penalties, as § 4-4.731.

Any violation of any regulation governing the standing or parking of a vehicle under the California Vehicle Code, under any Federal statute or regulation, or under this Ordinance Code is subject to a civil penalty. The enforcement of those civil penalties shall be governed by the civil administrative procedures as set forth in Section 40200 et seq. of the California Vehicle Code. The schedule of parking penalties for parking violations, late payment penalties, administrative fees, and other related charges for parking violations shall be established by resolution duly adopted by the Coalinga City Council.

(§ 2, Ord. 614, eff. December 18, 1993; Ord. No. 816, eff. 9-20-2018)

Editor's note— Formerly § 4-4.730.