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Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES

§ 90.01 DEFINITIONS.

Eureka Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Eureka

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABANDONED VEHICLE. Shall mean and include the following:

(1) PUBLIC NUISANCE VEHICLE. Any vehicle or parts thereof, that is abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative, that is left on public or private property, not including highways; and that creates a condition tending to reduce the value of private property, promotes blight and deterioration, invites plundering, creates fire hazards, constitutes an attractive nuisance endangering the health and safety of minors, harbors rodents and insects, or, jeopardizes health, safety and general welfare.

(2) ABANDONED VEHICLE. A vehicle is “abandoned” if it is left on a highway, public property, or private property in such inoperable or neglected condition that the owner's intention to relinquish all further rights or interests in it may be reasonably concluded. In reference to highways, “abandonment” is presumed to have occurred if a vehicle is left 72 hours or more on the highway, or is parked, resting or otherwise immobilized on any highway or public right-of-way; and lacks an engine, transmission, wheels, tires, doors, windshield, or any other part or equipment necessary to operate safely on the highway. Such vehicles are presumed to be a hazard to public health, safety, and welfare and may be removed immediately upon discovery by a peace officer or other designated employee.

(3) WRECKED VEHICLE. Any vehicle that is damaged to such an extent that it cannot be operated upon the highway. A vehicle which has been wrecked in a traffic accident, and which has been removed from the roadway to a storage facility, but which has not been claimed by its owner will not be considered an abandoned vehicle.

(4) DISMANTLED VEHICLE. Any vehicle that is partially or wholly disassembled.

(5) INOPERATIVE VEHICLE. Any motor vehicle that cannot be moved under its own power.

AXLE. A structure or portion of a structure consisting of one or more shafts, spindles, or bearings in the same vertical transverse plane by means of which, in conjunction with wheels mounted on said shafts, spindles, or bearings, a portion of the weight of a vehicle and its load, if any, is continuously transmitted to die roadway when the vehicle is in motion. BUS.

(1) Except as provided in division (2) of this definition, a BUS is any vehicle, including a trailer bus, designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than 15 persons, including the driver.

(2) A vehicle designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than ten persons, including the driver, which is used to transport persons for compensation or profit, or is used by any nonprofit organization or group, is also a BUS .

(3) This definition does not alter the definition of a schoolbus, school pupil activity bus, general public paratransit vehicle, farm labor vehicle, or youth bus.

(4) A vanpool vehicle is not a bus.

CAMPER. A structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes. A camper having one axle shall not be considered a vehicle.

EMPLOYEE. A city employee designated by the Chief of Police.

HIGHWAY. A way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic. Highway includes a street, and all or any part of the entire width of the right-of-way of said highway.

MOTOR VEHICLE. A vehicle that is self-propelled. MOTOR VEHICLE does not include a self-propelled wheelchair,

motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle, if operated by a person who, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian. For purposes of Cal. Vehicle Code, Chapter 6 (commencing with § 3000) of Division 2, MOTOR

VEHICLE includes a recreational vehicle as that term is defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code, § 18010(a), but does not include a truck camper.

MOTOR TRUCK or MOTORTRUCK. A motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

PEACE OFFICER. An individual as defined in Cal. Penal Code, Chapter 4.5 (commencing with § 830) of Title 3 of Part 2. RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. Means both of the following:

(1) A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motive power, designed for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, that meets all of the following criteria:

(a) It contains less than 320 square feet of internal living room area, excluding built-in equipment, including, but not limited to, wardrobe, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms.

  • (b) It contains 400 square feet or less of gross area measured at maximum horizontal projections.

  • (c) It is built on a single chassis.

  • (d) It is either self-propelled, truck-mounted, or permanently towable on the highways without a permit.

  • (2) A park trailer, as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code, § 18009.3.

SEMITRAILER. 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.

TRAILER COACH. 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. A PARK TRAILER , as described in Cal. Health and Safety Code, § 18009.3, is a trailer coach.

TRUCK TRACTOR.

(1) A motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load, other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and the load so drawn. As used in this section, LOAD does not include items carried on the truck tractor in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle if the load-carrying space for these items does not exceed 34 square feet.

) A motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load, other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and the load so drawn. As used in this section, LOAD does not include items carried on the truck tractor in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle if the load-carrying space for these items does not exceed 34 square feet.

(2) Notwithstanding division (a) of this definition, a TRUCK TRACTOR , operated by a motor carrier whose owner is licensed by the Department of the California Highway Patrol to transport explosives pursuant to Cal. Veh. Code, Division 14 (commencing with § 31600), may be equipped with a cargo container used exclusively for the transportation of explosives or munitions-related security material, as specified by the United States Department of Defense.

VEHICLE. A device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be propelled, moved or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. ('63 Code, § 3-10.01) (Ord. 542-C.S., passed 4-2-92; Am. Ord. 739-C.S., passed 3-17-09)

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▸ Contents — Eureka Zoning Code
Eureka Zoning Code
  1. Article I — NAME AND SEAL; FORM OF GOVERNMENT; BOUNDARIES; MUN…
  2. Article II — ELECTIONS
  3. Article III — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Article IV — MAYOR
  5. Article V — ORDINANCES
  6. Article VI — ADMINISTRATION
  7. Article VII — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
  8. Article VIII — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
  9. Article IX — FRANCHISES
  10. Article X — INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL
  11. Article XI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  12. Chapter 10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  13. Chapter 30 — CITY COUNCIL
  14. Chapter 31 — CITY OFFICIALS
  15. Chapter 32 — CITY DEPARTMENTS
  16. Chapter 33 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
  17. Chapter 34 — PERSONNEL POLICIES
  18. Chapter 35 — FINANCE, REVENUE AND TAXATION
  19. Chapter 36 — HEALTH FACILITY REVENUE BONDS
  20. Chapter 37 — ELECTIONS
  21. Chapter 38 — CIVIL EMERGENCIES
  22. Chapter 39 — CITY POLICY
  23. Chapter 40 — TRANSFERS OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY
  24. Chapter 50 — SEWERS
  25. Chapter 51 — SOLID WASTE
  26. Chapter 52 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  27. Chapter 53 — WATER
  28. Chapter 54 — STORM WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONT…
  29. Chapter 55 — ENERGY
  30. Chapter 56 — STREETS
  31. Chapter 70 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  32. Chapter 71 — TRAFFIC RULES
  33. Chapter 72 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
  34. Chapter 73 — BICYCLES
  35. Chapter 75 — MOBILE VENDORS OPERATING UPON A STREET
  36. ▸ Chapter 90 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
    Overview
    1. § 90.01 DEFINITIONS.
    2. § 90.02 FINDINGS.
    3. § 90.03 PROVISIONS SUPPLEMENTARY TO OTHER LAWS.
    4. § 90.15 ABANDONMENT PROHIBITED.
    5. § 90.16 USE OF ALLEY, STREET OR PUBLIC PARKING LOT FOR STORAGE…
    6. § 90.17 PERMITS.
    7. § 90.30 ENFORCEMENT BY CHIEF OF POLICE.
    8. § 90.31 AUTHORITY OF PEACE OFFICER OR CITY EMPLOYEE TO REMOVE …
    9. § 90.32 AUTHORITY OF CONTRACTOR TO REMOVE ABANDONED VEHICLE.
    10. § 90.33 RIGHT OF ENTRY.
    11. § 90.34 ABATEMENT AND REMOVAL PROCEDURES.
    12. § 90.35 STORAGE OF VEHICLES.
    13. § 90.36 NOTICE AND HEARING FOR LOW VALUE VEHICLES.
    14. § 90.37 DISPOSITION; PROHIBITION AGAINST RECONSTRUCTION.
    15. § 90.38 NOTICE TO DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, CALIFORNIA HIG…
    16. § 90.39 CITY ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
    17. § 90.99 PENALTY.
  37. Chapter 91 — ANIMALS
  38. Chapter 92 — FIRE PREVENTION
  39. Chapter 93 — PARKS AND RECREATION
  40. Chapter 94 — HEALTH AND SANITATION
  41. Chapter 95 — MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
  42. Chapter 96 — PARADES AND ASSEMBLIES
  43. Chapter 97 — SMOKING
  44. Chapter 98 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
  45. Chapter 99 — TRAINS AND RAILROADS
  46. Chapter 100 — HARBOR REGULATIONS
  47. Chapter 101 — FILMING
  48. Chapter 102 — BEEKEEPING
  49. Chapter 103 — PRIVATE SECURITY AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
  50. Chapter 104 — MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE
  51. Chapter 110 — BUSINESS LICENSES
  52. Chapter 112 — AMBULANCES
  53. Chapter 113 — AMUSEMENTS
  54. Chapter 114 — CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS
  55. Chapter 115 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AREAS
  56. Chapter 117 — MASSAGE PARLORS
  57. Chapter 118 — SOLICITORS, CANVASSERS, AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
  58. Chapter 119 — SECOND-HAND DEALERS
  59. Chapter 120 — TAXICABS AND LIMOUSINES
  60. Chapter 121 — OTHER VEHICLES FOR HIRE
  61. Chapter 122 — FOREIGN-TRADE ZONE
  62. Chapter 130 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND SAFETY
  63. Chapter 131 — PROPERTY OFFENSES
  64. Chapter 132 — DRUG OFFENSES
  65. Chapter 133 — WEAPONS OFFENSES
  66. Chapter 134 — ABATEMENT OF CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES
  67. Chapter 150 — BUILDING REGULATIONS
  68. Chapter 151 — AIRPORT ZONING
  69. Chapter 152 — PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATION
  70. Chapter 153 — FLOOD HAZARD AREA REGULATIONS
  71. Chapter 154 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  72. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS
  73. Chapter 155 — ZONING REGULATIONS (old)
  74. Chapter 156 — COASTAL ZONING REGULATIONS
  75. Chapter 157 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  76. Chapter 158 — CANNABIS
  77. Chapter 159 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

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