Merced Municipal Code Ch. 9.84 Recreational Vehicle Parking Regulations

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 2572, § 1, adopted Nov. 18, 2024, set out provisions intended for use as Ch. 9.80, §§ 9.80.010—9.80.060. Inasmuch as there were already provisions so designated, said section has been codified herein as Ch. 9.84, §§ 9.84.010—9.84.060, at the discretion of the editor.

The regulations enacted by this chapter are intended to ensure there is adequate parking for residents of the city, maintain the esthetics of our residential communities, and to regulate the parking of vehicles actively used as sleeping accommodations.

(Ord. No. 2572, § 1, 11-18-2024)

The words, terms, phrases, and their derivations set forth in this chapter have the meanings set forth below.

A. "Camper" means a structure designed to be mounted upon a motor vehicle and to provide facilities for human habitation or camping purposes.

B. "Recreational vehicle" means a vehicle or trailer which is capable of human habitation or designed or used for recreational camping or travel use, whether self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, or any structure inspected, approved, and designated a recreational vehicle by and bearing the insignia of the State of California or any other state or federal agency having the authority to approve recreational vehicles.

"Recreational vehicle" includes, without limitation, any of the following:

(i) Camp trailer, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 242;

(ii) Fifth-wheel travel trailer, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 324;

(iii) House car, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 362;

(iv) Trailer coach, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 635;

(v) Mobile home, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 396;

(vi) Boat, watercraft, and/or a trailer for a boat or watercraft;

(vii) Trailers designed to carry persons, property, or animals on its own structure and to be drawn by a 88340.1 motor vehicle; and

(viii) Recreational vehicle, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 18010.

C. "Utility trailer" means a non-motorized vehicle designed to carry persons, property, animals, waste, materials, or any other items on its own structure and to be drawn by another motor vehicle which is not designed for recreational purposes.

(Ord. No. 2572, § 1, 11-18-2024)

A. No person shall park or leave standing, unless to load or unload, any recreational vehicle, utility trailer, or camper upon any public street or highway at any time within all residential zones within the city limits, including RR, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R-MH.

B. This section shall not apply to any person who is actually engaged in the loading or unloading of any recreational vehicle, utility trailer, or camper or is actually engaged in making emergency repairs thereto. Further, this section shall not apply to any commercial vehicle making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure located on a public street or highway within the city or delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure within the city for which a building permit has previously been obtained.

(Ord. No. 2572, § 1, 11-18-2024)

Notwithstanding Section 9.80.030 of this code, a recreational vehicle, trailer, or camper may be parked in the city if a seventy-two-hour parking pass is issued pursuant to this section. The purpose of a parking pass is to allow users of recreational vehicles, utility trailers, and campers to park adjacent to their residences or businesses to allow out-of-town visitors to park in front of the residence which they are visiting for a limited time period. The provisions of this section shall not supersede any covenants, conditions, and restrictions or other private agreements. The terms of such parking passes shall be as follows:

A. Issuance of Pass. Parking passes shall be issued by the city manager or designee upon receipt of an application on a form the city manager shall establish for that purpose. Any resident of the city may obtain a parking pass authorizing him or her to park such a vehicle in front of his or her residence or place of business. Any out-of-town visitor of a residence may obtain a parking pass authorizing the visitor to park such vehicle in front of such residence, but may not reside in that vehicle overnight while it is so parked, or run water, waste or power lines to the vehicle over a public right-of-way. For purposes of this section, "out-of-town visitor" means any person who does not resides in the city.

B. Description of Pass; Display. The parking pass shall include the license number of the vehicle authorized to be parked, the date of issuance, and the day the parking pass is valid. Such pass shall be placed in the vehicle in such a manner as to be clearly visible to traffic enforcement officers.

C. Duration and Renewal. The parking pass shall be valid for seventy-two (72) hours. Upon expiration of a parking pass issued under this section, the applicant may apply for and be granted a parking pass if the applicant still qualifies under the conditions set forth herein. In no event shall more than two (2) parking passes be issued to an applicant within a thirty-day period.

(Ord. No. 2572, § 1, 11-18-2024)

Appropriate signs or markings giving adequate notice of the restrictions provided for in this chapter shall be placed upon the affected streets and highways. Notice of removal of vehicle for violation of this chapter shall also be provided.

(Ord. No. 2572, § 1, 11-18-2024)

Administrative citations and abatement pursuant to this code are available as a remedy in addition to all other legal remedies, criminal or civil, which may be pursued under this code, including sections MMC Section 1.12. Furthermore, pursuant to Section 22651 of the California Vehicle Code, any recreational vehicle, utility trailer, or camper parked or left standing on a public street or highway within the city in violation of this section and may be removed from the street or highway.

(Ord. No. 2572, § 1, 11-18-2024)