El Segundo Municipal Code Ch. 5 Stopping, Standing and Parking

A. The provisions of this chapter 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 chapter 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 California Vehicle Code or the ordinances of the city prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Authority: The city traffic engineer is hereby 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 chapter.

B. Compliance With Signs And Markings: When the curb markings or signs are in place, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

Except as provided in section 8-5-4 of this chapter, 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 signs 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 the street.

C. In any area where the city traffic engineer determines that the parking or stopping of a vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property, when the area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface.

D. In any area established by resolution of the council as a no parking area, when the area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface.

E. Upon, along or across any railway track in such manner as to hinder, delay or obstruct the movement of any car traveling upon the track.

F. If any area where the parking or stopping of any vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property.

G. On any street or highway where the use of the 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 structures of unusual size, and the parking of the vehicle would prohibit or interfere with the use or movement; provided, that signs giving notice of no parking are erected or placed at least twenty four (24) hours prior to the effective time of the no parking.

H. At any place within twenty feet (20') of a point on the curb immediately opposite the midblock end of a safety zone, when the place is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface.

I. At any place within twenty feet (20') of a crosswalk at an intersection in any business district when the place is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface except that a bus may stop at a designated bus stop.

J. Within twenty feet (20') of the approach to any traffic signal, boulevard stop sign or official electric flashing device. (Ord. 864, 12-17-1974)

Pursuant to the authority of California Vehicle Code section 22500(a), parking shall be permitted in "T" intersections opposite the street entrance except where the curb opposite the street entrance is painted red. (Ord. 864, 12-17-1974)

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within any parkway. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle may park the vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy two (72) hours. (Ord. 1523, 2-21-2017)

A. Streets: No operator of any vehicle shall park the vehicle upon any street in the city for the principal purpose of advertising or displaying it for sale, unless authorized by resolution of the council. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

B. City Owned Parking Lots: No operator of any vehicle shall park the vehicle upon any city owned or city operated parking lot for the principal purpose of advertising or displaying it for sale, unless authorized by resolution of the council. (Ord. 981, 12-4-1979)

A. Repairing Or Greasing: No person shall construct or cause to be constructed, repair or cause to be repaired, grease or cause to be greased, dismantle or cause to be dismantled any vehicle or any part thereof upon any public street in the city. Temporary emergency repairs may be made upon a public street.

B. Washing Or Polishing: 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 the city, when a charge is made for the service. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Authority: The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when the parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.

B. Compliance: When official signs are erected prohibiting parking upon that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Authority: The city traffic engineer is hereby authorized to place signs or markings indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed twenty feet (20'), or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty feet (30').

B. Compliance: 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. 659, 3-13-1967)

No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle unattended on a highway when upon any grade exceeding three percent (3%) within any business or residence district without blocking the wheels of the vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

No person shall park or leave standing any unattended vehicle upon a residential property's front yard or side yard with the exception of the paved driveway portion which is used for the vehicular passageway or parking for the occupants of the property and their guests. (Ord. 1281, 10-7-1997)

A. Prohibited; Exception: Except as otherwise provided in this code, no person shall stand or park any wagon or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables or foodstuffs are sold, displayed, solicited or offered for sale or bartered or exchanged, on any portion of any street within the city, except that such 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 the articles upon order of, or by agreement with, a customer from a store or other fixed place of business or distribution. (Ord. 1473, 11-20-2012)

B. Transporting Property; Permit Required:

1. No person shall park or stand any vehicle used or intended to be used in the transportation of property for hire on any street while awaiting patronage for the vehicle without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the city traffic engineer which shall designate the specific location where the vehicle may stand.

2. 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 vehicle or pushcart on any location other than as designated in such permit. In the event that the holder of the permit is convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction for violating any of the provisions of this section, the permit shall be forthwith revoked by the city traffic engineer upon the filing of the record of the conviction with the officer and no permit shall thereafter be issued to the person until six (6) months have elapsed from the date of the revocation. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967; amd. 2000 Code)

A. Authority: Whenever the city traffic engineer determines that an emergency traffic congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings or functions or for other reasons, the city traffic engineer 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 the streets and alleys as the city traffic engineer shall direct during the time the temporary signs are in place. The signs shall remain in place only during the existence of the emergency and the city traffic engineer shall cause the signs to be removed promptly thereafter.

B. Compliance: 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 the signs. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

Every motor truck having an unladen weight of four thousand (4,000) pounds or more, and every truck tractor irrespective of weight when operated upon any street or highway during darkness shall be equipped with and carry at least two (2) flares or two (2) red lanterns or two (2) warning lights or reflectors, which reflectors shall be of a type approved by the state department of highway patrol. When any vehicle above mentioned or any trailer or semitrailer is disabled upon streets or highways outside of any business or residence district within the city and upon which street or highway there is insufficient street lighting to reveal a vehicle at a distance of two hundred feet (200') during darkness, a warning signal of the character indicated above shall be immediately placed at a distance of approximately one hundred feet (100') in advance of, and one hundred feet (100') to the rear of such disabled vehicle by the driver thereof. The continuous flashing of at least four (4) approved class A - type I turn signal lamps, at least two (2) toward the front and at least two (2) toward the rear of the vehicle, shall be considered to meet the requirements of this section until the devices mentioned above can be placed in the required locations. The warning signals herein mentioned shall be displayed continuously during darkness while the vehicle remains disabled upon the street or highway. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Authority: The city traffic engineer is authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking spaces adjacent to curbings where authorized parking is permitted.

B. Compliance: When the 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 the vehicle makes compliance impossible. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Authority: The city traffic engineer shall designate established no stopping tow away zones by placing and maintaining appropriate signs indicating that stopping of vehicles is prohibited and that they will be towed away at owner's expense, and indicating the hours and days when stopping is prohibited.

B. Compliance: During the hours and on the days designated on the signs, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop the vehicle on any of the streets or parts of streets established by resolution of the council as no stopping tow away zones. (Ord. 912, 10-5-1976)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any veteran who is entitled to either of the exemptions provided in section 9105 of the California Vehicle Code and section 10783 of the California Revenue And Taxation Code, shall be allowed to park in restricted zones. This section shall not be construed, however, to allow the stopping, parking or standing of a vehicle at the times and places that stopping, parking or standing of all vehicles is prohibited absolutely by state law or local ordinance. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Definition: For the purpose of this section, a "limited curb parking space" means an area open for lawful parking alongside of, and adjacent to a curb, which area is not of sufficient length to permit two (2) or more vehicles to freely move for parking therein at the same time.

B. Right Of Way: Any person seeking to park his vehicle in a limited curb parking space, whose vehicle arrives at the parking space prior to any other vehicle and who proceeds beyond the space a distance not to exceed ten feet (10') for the purpose of backing his vehicle therein, shall have the right of way over any person driving or attempting to drive any other vehicle directly into the limited curb parking space or who in any manner obstructs the limited curb parking space, and the driver of the other vehicle shall yield the right of way to the driver who first arrived at the parking space. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

ARTICLE A. PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONES

SECTION:

The provisions of this article are expressly enacted under the State Constitution, article XI, section 11 together with provisions of the California Vehicle Code, as amended. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985)

For the purpose of this article, certain words and phrases are defined as follows:

DWELLING UNIT: Any self-contained house, apartment, stock cooperative, condominium or accessory dwelling unit occupied solely for residential purposes.

PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONE: A residential area with streets and boundaries designated by the City Council wherein vehicles displaying a permit shall be exempt from parking restrictions established by this article.

RESIDENT: Any person who lives in a dwelling unit located in a preferential parking zone.

VISITOR: A person visiting residents living in a dwelling unit in a preferential parking zone. (Ord. 1550, 7-5-2017)

The City Council may, after a recommendation of the Traffic Engineer, designate by resolution those areas satisfying the criteria established in section 8-5A-4 of this article as preferential parking zones. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985)

The criteria referred to in section 8-5A-3 of this article shall be based upon the following considerations established to the satisfaction of the Council:

A. Regular Interference: That "nonresident vehicles", defined as those vehicles owned and/or operated by persons who are not "residents" as defined in section 8-5A-2 of this article, do or may substantially and regularly interfere with the use of the majority of available public street or alley parking spaces in the proposed zone by adjacent residents;

B. Regular Intervals: That the interference by the nonresident vehicles referred to in subsection A of this section occurs in the proposed zone at regular and significant daily or weekly intervals;

C. Noise: That the nonresident vehicles parked in the area of the proposed zone cause or are the source of unreasonable noise, traffic hazards, environmental pollution, or devaluation of real property in the area of the proposed zone; and

D. Shortage Of Parking Spaces: That a shortage of reasonably available and convenient residential related parking spaces exists in the area of the proposed zone. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985)

A. Petition Of Residents: Upon receipt and verification of a petition signed by residents living in fifty five percent (55%) of the dwelling units of the area proposed for designation, or upon adoption of a motion by the City Council, the Traffic Engineer shall undertake such surveys or studies as are deemed necessary to determine whether the area should be designated a preferential parking zone and shall report his findings to the Council.

B. Notify Affected Residents: Where a preferential parking zone is requested by the resident petition process, the residents requesting the designation shall notify all affected residents prior to the presentation of the petition and shall present verification of such notification to the Traffic Engineer. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985)

Proceedings to dissolve a preferential parking zone shall be initiated upon receipt and verification of a petition signed by residents living in fifty five percent (55%) of the dwelling units within the preferential parking zone or upon adoption of a resolution by the City Council. A dissolution shall be accomplished by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985)

A. Issuance And Fees:

1. The Director of Public Works shall issue permits for preferential parking and the Chief Financial Officer shall collect all fees.

2. Applicants shall present proof that they reside in a dwelling unit in a preferential parking zone, and proof that the vehicle for which a permit is sought is registered at the same address as the applicant.

3. Applicants requesting more than three (3) permits for a dwelling unit may be granted additional permits by the Director of Public Works upon showing that there are more than three (3) vehicles registered at the dwelling unit, and that sufficient off street parking is not available to the applicant, and that to deny such additional permits would constitute a hardship.

4. Permit fees shall cover the cost of establishing and maintaining the preferential parking zone. The permit fees shall be set by City Council resolution at the time a preferential parking zone is designated.

B. Duration: Preferential parking permits issued pursuant to this section are effective for as long as the permit holder continues to reside in a dwelling unit included in a preferential parking zone or until such zone is dissolved.

C. Visitor Permits: Any resident may purchase two (2) visitor permits per dwelling unit. Each such permit shall have a permit number imprinted on it which corresponds to the address of the permit holder.

D. Availability Of Parking: A preferential parking permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder thereof an on street parking space within the designated preferential parking zone.

E. Restrictions And Conditions: Each permit issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to each and every condition and restriction set forth in this article and as further provided by resolution establishing the preferential parking zone for which it was issued. The issuance of such permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or approval of, any violation of any provision of this code or any other law or regulation.

F. Ineligible Properties: The following properties may be deemed ineligible for a permit by the City Council at the time it establishes a preferential parking zone:

1. Properties in the Single-Family Residential (R-1) and Two-Family Residential (R-2) zones duly developed after May 1, 2025 that are legally approved to provide fewer than two parking spaces per dwelling unit (regardless of size or bedroom count).

2. Properties in the Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) zone duly developed after May 1, 2025 that are legally approved to provide fewer than two parking spaces per dwelling unit (regardless of size or bedroom count) and/or less than 1 visitor space for every three dwelling units.

3. Properties subject to a development agreement.

G. Illegal conversion or use of required parking garage or other parking space. The Public Works Director may deny issuance of a preferential parking permit or revoke a previously issued permit for a property or dwelling where a garage and/or other required parking space is not being used for vehicle parking, e.g. being used for storage of personal items or other use.

(Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985; amd. Ord. 1507, 6-16-2015; Ord. 1620, 11-17-2020; Ord. 1870, 4-1-2025)

The following vehicles shall be exempt from parking restrictions pursuant to this article:

A. Utility: A vehicle owned or operated by a utility whether privately or publicly owned, when used in the course of business.

B. Governmental Agency: A vehicle owned or operated by a governmental agency when used in the course of official government business.

C. Highway Patrol: A vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the commissioner of the California highway patrol when used in the course of business. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985)

A. Implement Program: The director of public works shall promulgate rules and administer policies designated to implement this program, including the posting of traffic regulation signs on streets designated as preferential parking zones. These rules shall be submitted to and approved by the city council.

B. Collection Of Fees: The chief financial officer shall promulgate rules and administer policies designated to implement the collection of fees for the preferential parking permit system set forth herein. These rules shall be submitted to and approved by the city council.

C. Enforcement: The police chief shall have the authority to enforce violations of this article. (Ord. 1076, 11-5-1985; amd. Ord. 1620, 11-17-2020)

A. Display Of Permit: On Monday through Friday, between the hours of ten o'clock (10:00) A.M. and eleven o'clock (11:00) A.M., and between the hours of two o'clock (2:00) P.M. and three o'clock (3:00) P.M., no vehicle shall be parked or stopped adjacent to any curb in a preferential parking zone in violation of any posted prohibition or restriction, unless such vehicle shall have prominently displayed a duly issued permit on or by the left rear portion of the rear bumper; or a visitor permit or special event permit to be displayed on the driver side dashboard.

B. Falsify Or Sell Permit: It shall be unlawful for any person to forge, falsify, sell, rent, or lease, or cause to be forged, falsified, sold, rented, or leased for any value or consideration any preferential parking permit.

C. Illegal Acquisition: It shall be unlawful for any person to buy or otherwise acquire for value or use any preferential parking permit, except as provided for in this article. (Ord. 1206, 10-5-1993)

ARTICLE B. SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS

SECTION:

A. Green curb marking shall mean no standing or parking for a period of time longer than twenty (20) minutes at any time between eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. on any day except Sundays.

B. When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the city traffic engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign or parking meter in violation thereof. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the city traffic engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. of any day except Sundays for a period of time longer than forty (40) minutes. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the city traffic engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. of any day except Sundays for a period of time longer than one hour. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the city traffic engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park the vehicle between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. of any day except Sundays for a period of time longer than two (2) hours. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

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

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

C. Determine When Prohibited: The city traffic engineer 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. Exception: 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 the vehicle may be backed up to the curb; provided; that, the vehicle does not extend beyond the centerline of the street and does not block traffic thereby. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

A. Manner Of Parking: On any of the streets or portions of streets and city owned parking lots and property established by resolution of the city council as diagonal parking zones, when signs or pavement markings are in place indicating diagonal parking, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park the vehicle except:

1. At the angle to the curb or bumper block or front limit painted line indicated by signs or pavement markings allotting space to parked vehicles and entirely within the limits of the allotted space;

2. With the front wheel nearest the curb or bumper block or front limit painted line within six inches (6") of the curb or bumper block or front limit painted line.

B. Exception: The provisions of this section shall not apply when the vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading passengers, freight or goods, in which event the provisions applicable in section 8-5B-5 of this article shall be complied with. (Ord. 1055, 9-6-1983)

No person shall park or leave standing any commercial vehicle or its trailer, having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of eleven thousand (11,000) pounds for more for more than five (5) hours on any public street where a majority of the buildings situated on the property contiguous thereto are used for residential purposes except:

A. With respect to any commercial vehicle making pick ups or deliveries of goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure located on the restricted streets or highways; or

B. With respect to any commercial vehicle delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure upon the restricted streets or highways. (Ord. 1190, 12-15-1992)

A. Authority: Whenever the city manager determines that the orderly, efficient conduct of the city's business requires that parking or standing of vehicles on city property be prohibited, limited or restricted, the city manager shall have the power and authority to order signs to be erected or posted indicating that the parking of vehicles is thus prohibited, limited or restricted.

B. Compliance: When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall park or stand any vehicle contrary to the direction or provisions of the signs. (Ord. 659, 3-13-1967)

No person shall park or leave standing any commercial vehicle or its trailer, or any recreational vehicle or motor home having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of eleven thousand (11,000) pounds or more, for more than five (5) hours on any city owned public parking lot. (Ord. 1190, 12-15-1992)

No person may run electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, wires or other similar items across, above or on the parkway or sidewalk from a residential or commercial property to an oversized vehicle, recreational vehicle or trailer parked on a public street or highway. (Ord. 1523, 2-21-2017)