La Verne Municipal Code Ch. 10.76 Residential Preferential Parking Zone

The city council finds that this chapter is enacted in response to the serious adverse effects caused in certain residential areas and neighborhoods of the city by motor vehicle congestion, particularly parking on residential streets and alleys to the detriment of the residents therein. In order to protect and promote the integrity of these areas and neighborhoods, it is necessary to enact parking regulations, restricting unlimited parking by nonresidents therein, while providing an opportunity for residents to park near their homes. Uniform parking regulations restricting residents and nonresidents alike would not serve the public interest. Further, for the preservation of safe, healthy and attractive neighborhoods and residential areas, this section is adopted to establish a system of preferential resident parking. The city council has considered the facts and finds that the livability of residential neighborhoods has deteriorated by the practice of nonresidents parking in these areas for extended periods of time. Further, there exist within the city certain areas which attract parking by nonresidents which further exacerbates the residential parking problem.

(Prior code § 4350; Ord. 691 § 1, 1984)

A. The city council may designate, by resolution, certain residential streets or alleys or any portions thereof, as preferential parking zones for the benefit of residents adjacent thereto, in which zones vehicles displaying a permit or other authorized indicia may be exempt from parking prohibitions or restrictions otherwise posted, marked or noticed. Each preferential parking zone shall be so designated only upon the city council finding that such zone is required to enhance or protect the quality of life in the area of the proposed zone threatened by noise, traffic hazards, environmental pollution or devaluation of real property value resulting from long-term nonresidents' parking, that such zone is necessary to provide reasonably available and convenient parking for the benefit of adjacent residents, and that the proposed zone is desirable to alleviate traffic congestion, illegal parking, and related health and safety problems.

B. No preferential parking restrictions shall apply until signs or markings giving adequate notice thereof have been placed.

(Prior code § 4350.01; Ord. 691 § 1, 1984)

The findings referred to in Section 10.76.020 shall be based upon the following criteria established to the satisfaction of the city council:

A. The parking in the area by nonresidents does substantially and regularly interfere with the use of the majority of the available public street or alley parking spaces by adjacent residents;

B. That the interference by the nonresidents' parking referred to in subsection A of this section, occurs at regular and significant daily or weekly intervals;

C. That the majority of the residents adjacent to the proposed zone desire, agree to, or request preferential parking privileges;

D. That no unreasonable displacement of nonresident vehicles will occur in surrounding residential areas;

E. That a shortage of reasonable available and convenient residentially related parking spaces exists in the area of the proposed zone; and

F. That no alternative solution is feasible and practical.

(Prior code § 4350.02; Ord. 691 § 1, 1984)

A. Issuing Authority. The police chief shall issue permits for preferential parking. Applicants for such permits may be required to present such proof, as may be required by the police chief, of residence adjacent to the area designated as a preferential parking zone. Not more than one permanent permit shall be issued for each automobile registered at a qualified dwelling unit. Not more than two visitor permits shall be issued for each qualified dwelling unit.

B. Duration of Permits. Permits issued pursuant to this section shall remain effective until the permit holder no longer occupies the qualified dwelling unit, or until the permit holder's vehicle is no longer registered at that address.

C. Conditions of Permits. Each permit issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to all the conditions and restrictions which may be altered or amended from time to time. The issuance of such permit shall not be construed to be a permit for or approval for any violation of any provision of this code or any other law or regulation.

(Prior code § 4350.03; Ord. 691 § 1, 1984; Ord. 769 § 1, 1988)

A. No vehicle shall be parked or stopped adjacent to any curb or allowed alley parking in a preferential parking zone in violation of any posted or noticed prohibition or restriction unless such vehicle shall have prominently displayed, a permit indicating an exemption from such restriction or prohibition.

B. It is unlawful for any person to sell, rent or lease, or cause to be sold, rented or leased, for any value or consideration any preferential parking permit, except by the issuing authority. Upon the conviction of a violation of this subsection, all preferential parking permits issued to, or for the benefit of, the dwelling unit for which the sold, rented or leased permit was authorized shall be void.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to buy or otherwise acquire for value or use any preferential parking permit, except as provided in this section.

D. Any vehicle having issued to it a permanent or visitor's permit which is not properly displayed, shall be deemed in violation of this chapter. The fact that a permit has been issued to the vehicle but the permit was not properly displayed shall not be a defense or considered by the court in determining whether or not a violation of this section has occurred.

(Prior code § 4350.04; Ord. 691 § 1, 1984)