El Cerrito Municipal Code Ch. 11.44 Vehicles—removal

Any vehicle barrier parked or stopped or placed in violation of Chapter 11.28 or 11.40 of this title shall be deemed to be left standing upon a street or highway in an unusual position and obstructing the normal movement of traffic thereon, and may be removed as provided in the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle upon any private property, or upon property used for private parking purposes, without the consent of the owner of the property, the person entitled to the possession thereof, or the authorized agent of either, provided that signs specifying that such parking is prohibited shall have been posted at such places and in such manner as have been approved both as to wording and posting by the police chief.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

Any police officer may issue a citation to the owner or driver of any vehicle that has been parked or left standing on any private property, driveway, private parking lot, or property used for private parking purposes, in violation of Section 11.44.040 of this chapter.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

Any police officer, the owner of any private property, or the person entitled to the possession thereof, or the authorized agent of either, may remove or cause to be removed any vehicle that has been parked or left standing on any private property, driveway, private parking lot, or property used for private parking purposes, in violation of Section 11.44.040 of this chapter.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

If a vehicle removed from private property was rightfully there, the person or persons who complained of the presence of such vehicle and/or the person or persons (other than police officers) who caused such vehicle to be removed, shall be liable for any and all charges for towage, and for caring for and keeping safe such vehicle.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

Any person referred to in Section 11.44.060 of this chapter who removes any vehicle from any private property in the city is authorized to remove the vehicle to the nearest place of safety, or to a garage designated or maintained by the city.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

Any person referred to in Section 11.44.060 of this chapter who removes a vehicle from private property shall give notice to the owner of the vehicle as provided for and required by the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

The keeper of any commercial garage in which any vehicle is stored in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall have a lien thereon for his or her compensation for towage and for caring for and keeping safe such vehicle, and may satisfy such lien upon compliance with and under the conditions stated in the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

Any police officer may remove or cause to be removed:

A. Any vehicle that has been parked or left standing upon a street or highway for seventy-two or more consecutive hours;

B. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway when such parking or standing is prohibited by ordinance or resolution of the council and signs are posted giving notice of such prohibition, and removal;

C. Any vehicle which is 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 for the installation of underground facilities, 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 structures of unusual size, and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided that signs giving notice that such vehicle may be removed are in place at least twenty-four hours prior to the removal.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)

A. No portion of any front yard shall be used for the storage of any automobiles, trailers and other mobile equipment, or parts of any of the foregoing, or building materials not reasonably necessary for construction work in progress on the premises pursuant to a valid and existing building permit issued by the city.

B. The prohibitions relating to storage set forth in subsection A of this section shall apply to side yards, except when a fence has been legally constructed of sufficient height and of a type which reasonably prevents such storage from becoming a nuisance.

C. "Storage" as used in this section means the physical presence of the prescribed property, or any portion thereof, within the required front or side yard area for a continuous period of time in excess of seventy-two hours.

(Ord. 93-1 Divs. 1, 2 (part), 1993.)