Merced Municipal Code Ch. 10.50 Residential Parking Permit Zones

Upon the recommendation of the city engineer or his/her designee, or the filing with the city clerk of a verified petition containing valid signatures of at least sixty-seven (67) percent of the residents and owners of real property in a specific residential area, council shall conduct a public hearing to consider whether that residential area should be designated as a residential parking permit zone. Upon a finding by council that the area proposed for designation has unique residential parking problems, due to the nature, location, frequency or duration of activities or events causing such problems, that outweigh the needs of the general public for access to the area and its facilities, the council may by resolution establish a residential parking permit zone for said residential area in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Such resolution shall state the findings of necessity for the zone designation, the boundaries of the residential parking permit zone, the applicable time limitations, the day or days of restriction, and such other conditions as council deems necessary and in the public interest. Persons occupying residences with frontage on streets within a residential parking permit zone shall be exempt from the general restrictions of parking. Such exemptions shall be evidenced by a valid parking sticker affixed to the left front window of the parked vehicle.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995)

(Ord. No. 2588, 3-2-2026)

(a) The words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section.

(b) Whenever any words or phrases used in this chapter are not defined in this section, but are now or hereafter defined in the Vehicle Code of the State of California, such definitions are incorporated herein and shall b e deemed to apply to such words and phrases used in this chapter as though set forth in full.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

"Vehicle" means an automobile, truck, motorcycle, or other motor-driven form of transportation.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

"Owner" means a natural person over the age of sixteen (16) years who has at least a one-quarter ownership interest in a parcel of real property within a residential permit parking zone designated pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

"Resident" means a person over the age of sixteen (16) years who lives in a residential permit parking zone as his or her permanent place of residence, either as a tenant or owner.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

"Residential area" means a contiguous or substantially contiguous area, containing public streets or highways or parts thereof, in which residents dwell and/or which has been zoned by the City of Merced as R-1, R-2, R-3, or R-4.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

"Resident parking permit" means a permit issued pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

"Residential permit parking zone" means a residential zone as designated in this chapter in which vehicles displaying a valid permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be exempt from the general parking restrictions herein established.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

Upon the adoption of a resolution by the council designating a residential permit parking zone and appropriate parking time restrictions, the city engineer shall erect signs in such area indicating prominently thereon the time limitation in days and hours during which parking shall be restricted.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

(a) It is unlawful and a violation of this section, unless expressly provided to the contrary herein, for any person to park a vehicle on a street in a residential permit parking zone within the parking time limit posted by signs giving notice thereof and erected pursuant to this chapter, without a valid resident parking permit for that zone properly affixed to such vehicle.

(b) It is unlawful and a violation of this section for a person falsely to represent himself or herself as eligible for a resident parking permit or to furnish false information in an application for any such permits.

(c) It is unlawful and a violation of this section for any person to use or display, or permit the use or display of, a resident parking permit or a sticker pertaining thereto on a vehicle other than that vehicle for which such permit or sticker was issued.

(d) It is unlawful and a violation of this section for any person to sell, transfer, or convey, or to offer to sell, transfer, or convey, any parking permit issued pursuant to this chapter, whether for money or other consideration or without money or consideration.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

(Ord. No. 2406, § 1, 5-20-2013)

(a) Any vehicle on which is properly affixed or displayed a valid resident parking permit, as provided for herein, maybe parked on a street in the residential permit parking zone pertaining thereto without limitation of the time restrictions established for vehicles without a valid resident parking permit. Such parking permit shall not guarantee or reserve the holder thereof an on-street parking space on a street in such residential permit parking zone or exempt the vehicle from any other applicable parking restrictions, ordinances, or state or local laws.

(b) This chapter does not apply to ambulances, fire department vehicles, police vehicles, public utility vehicles, or other official or emergency vehicles during conduct of official business if such vehicles are identified as such by an official seal or logo.

(c) Clearly marked vehicles with commercial license plates parked for the purpose of and actively engaged in loading or delivery of goods, wares, or merchandise from or to any building or structure in a residential permit parking zone or delivering materials to be used in the repair, alteration, remodeling, construction, or reconstruction of any such building or structure for which a building permit has previously been obtained, or vehicles used for commercial residential maintenance, including but not limited to landscapers and repairers doing work for residents in the zone, shall b e exempt from the time restrictions established for vehicles without a permit.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

There shall be a limit of two annual permits issued to any residential address within a residential permit parking zone, provided that the resident can prove ownership or control of each of the vehicles for which an annual permit is issued. A separate application shall be filed for each motor vehicle. Each residential parking permit issued by the police chief shall be valid for a maximum of one calendar year unless otherwise stated on the permit. The police chief shall cause to be prepared and issued, effective on January 1st of each year, a distinctively colored sticker for issuance to permittees of residential parking zones, which sticker shall b e affixed to the motor vehicle as required herein.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

Residential parking permits shall be affixed to a motor vehicle at the lower left corner of the front windshield.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

The council may establish, by resolution, fees for the issuance of residential parking permits, and for the replacement of lost, damaged, or destroyed permits or decals. There shall be no refund for or setoff of any unused portion of any decal or permit.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

Permits shall terminate upon any of the following events:

(a) The transfer or sale of the vehicle for which a permit has been issued.

(b) The relocation of the permittee from his or her residence within a residential parking area to another residence, whether within or outside said zone.

(c) Upon expiration of the time period for which a permit has been issued.

(Ord.1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

Issuance of resident parking permits shall be administered in accordance with regulations promulgated from time to time by the city manager.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).

At any time the council may by resolution terminate one or more of the residential parking permit zones then in existence.

(Ord. 1915 § 1 (part), 1995).