Article 12

Curb Markings to Indicate No Stopping and Parking Regulations

The Director of Public Works is hereby authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, to place and, when required by this chapter, shall place, in addition to any other signs or markings deemed appropriate by him, those curb markings to indicate the parking or standing regulations set forth in this article.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Red shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking at any time, except as permitted by the Vehicle Code, and except that a bus or police vehicle may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

• (a) Commercial loading zones, for the purposes of loading or unloading materials for a period of time not to exceed 20 minutes and for the purposes of loading or unloading passengers for a period of time not to exceed three minutes, shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

• (b) Loading zones for the purposes of loading or unloading passengers or depositing United States mail for a period of time not to exceed three minutes shall be indicated by white paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

• (c) Passenger loading zones for the purposes of loading or unloading passengers for a period of time not to exceed 20 minutes shall be indicated by green paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones; provided, however, where such zone has stenciled upon it the black letters "Five Minute Zone," such restriction shall apply.

• (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OJ4979 on 2026-07-07

City of Ojai, CA

PUBLIC SAFETY

§ 3-2.1301

§ 3-2.1304

Article 13 Abandoned Vehicles

In addition to and in accordance with the determination made and the authority granted by the State pursuant to the provisions of Section 22660 of the Vehicle Code to remove abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles, or parts thereof, as public nuisances, the Council hereby finds and declares that the accumulation and storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles, or parts thereof, on private or public property, not including highways, is hereby found to create a condition tending to reduce the value of private property, promote blight and deterioration, invite plundering, create fire hazards, constitute an attractive nuisance creating a hazard to the health and safety of minors, create a harborage for rodents and insects, and to be injurious to the health, safety, and general welfare. Therefore, no person shall cause the accumulation and/or storage of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles, or parts thereof, on private or public property, not including highways, except as provided in this article, and the presence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle, or part thereof, on private or public property, not including highways, except as expressly permitted by the provisions of this article, is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated as such in accordance with the provisions of this article. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

The provisions of this article shall not apply to:

• (a) A vehicle, or part thereof, which is completely enclosed within a building in a lawful manner and which is not visible from the street or other public or private property; or

• (b) A vehicle, or part thereof, which is stored or parked in a lawful manner on private property in connection with the business of a licensed dismantler, licensed vehicle dealer, or junk dealer or when such storage or parking is necessary to the operation of a lawfully conducted business or commercial enterprise.

The provisions of this article shall not authorize the maintenance of a public or private nuisance as defined pursuant to provisions of law other than Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650) of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

The provisions of this article are not the exclusive regulation of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles within the City. The provisions of this article shall supplement and be in addition to the other regulatory Codes, statutes, and laws heretofore or hereafter enacted by the City, State, or any other legal entity or agency having jurisdiction. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Upon discovering the existence of an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle, or part thereof, on private or public property within the City, the Chief of Police shall have the

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OJ4979 on 2026-07-07

City of Ojai, CA

OJAI CODE

§ 3-2.1304

§ 3-2.1308

authority to cause the removal thereof in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

When the Council has contracted with or granted a franchise to any person, such person shall be authorized to enter upon private or public property to remove, or cause the removal of, a vehicle, or part thereof, declared to be a nuisance pursuant to the provisions of this article. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

A 10 day notice of intention to abate and remove the vehicle, or part thereof, as a public nuisance shall be mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of the land on which the vehicle is located and to the owner of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership. Any reference in this article to "the owner of the land" shall mean the owner of the land on which the vehicle is located as shown on the last equalized assessment roll.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Upon a request by the owner of the vehicle or owner of the land received by the Chief of Police within 10 days after the mailing of the notices of intention to abate and remove, a public hearing shall be held by the City Manager on the question of the abatement and removal of the vehicle, or part thereof, as an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicle and the assessment of the administrative costs and the costs of removal of the vehicle, or part thereof, against the property on which it is located.

If the owner of the land submits a sworn written statement denying responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on his land within such 10 day period, such statement shall be construed as a request for a hearing which does not require his presence. Notice of the hearing shall be mailed, by registered mail, return receipt requested, at least 10 days before the hearing to the owner of the land and to the owner of the vehicle, unless the vehicle is in such condition that identification numbers are not available to determine ownership. If such a request for a hearing is not received within 10 days after mailing the notice of intention to abate and remove, the City shall have the authority to abate and remove the vehicle, or part thereof, as a public nuisance without holding a public hearing.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

All hearings held pursuant to the provisions of this article shall be held before the City Manager who shall hear all facts and testimony he deems pertinent. Such facts and testimony may include testimony on the condition of the vehicle, or part thereof, and the circumstances concerning its location on such private or public property. The City Manager shall not be limited by the technical rules of evidence. The owner of the land may appear in person at the hearing or present a sworn statement in time for consideration at the hearing and deny responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land with his reasons for such denial.

The City Manager may impose such conditions and take such other action as he or she deems

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OJ4979 on 2026-07-07

City of Ojai, CA

PUBLIC SAFETY

§ 3-2.1308

§ 3-2.1311

appropriate under the circumstances to carry out the purposes of this article. He or she may delay the time for the removal of the vehicle, or part thereof, if, in his or her opinion, the circumstances so justify. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the City Manager may find that a vehicle, or part thereof, has been abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or is inoperative on private or public property, and order the same removed from the property as a public nuisance and disposed of as provided in this chapter, and determine the administrative costs and the costs of removal to be charged against the owner of the land. The order requiring removal shall include a description of the vehicle, or part thereof, and the correct identification number and license number of the vehicle, if available at the site.

If it is determined at the hearing that the vehicle was placed on the land without the consent of the owner of the land and that he or she has not subsequently acquiesced in its presence, the City Manager shall not assess the costs of administration or removal of the vehicle against the property upon which the vehicle is located or otherwise attempt to collect such costs from such owner of the land.

If the owner of the land submits a sworn written statement denying responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on his or her land but does not appear, or if an interested party makes a written presentation to the City Manager but does not appear, such persons shall be notified in writing of the decision.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Any aggrieved person may appeal the decision of the City Manager by filing a written notice of appeal with the City Clerk within 10 days after his or her decision. Such appeal shall be heard by the Council which may affirm, amend or reverse the order or take any other action deemed appropriate.

The City Clerk shall give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to the appellant and to those persons entitled to the 10 day notice of intention.

In conducting the hearing, the Council shall not be limited by the technical rules of evidence.

Except as otherwise provided herein, appeals of decisions of the City Manager pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 4 of Title 1 of this Code. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987, as amended by § 2, Ord. 708, eff. April 27, 1995)

Five days after the adoption of the order declaring the vehicle, or part thereof, to be a public nuisance, or five days after the date of mailing the notice of decision, if such notice is required by the provisions of Section 3-2.1308 of this article, or 15 days after such action of the Council authorizing removal following an appeal, the vehicle, or part thereof, may be disposed of by removal to a scrap yard or automobile dismantler's yard. After a vehicle has been removed, it shall not thereafter be reconstructed or made operable. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Within five days after the date of removal of the vehicle, or part thereof, notice shall be given to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the State identifying the vehicle, or part thereof, removed.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OJ4979 on 2026-07-07

City of Ojai, CA

OJAI CODE

§ 3-2.1311

§ 3-2.1313

At the same time, there shall be transmitted to said Department of Motor Vehicles any evidence of registration available, including registration certificates, certificates of title, and license plates. (§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

If the administrative costs and the costs of removal charged against the owner of a parcel of land pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-2.1308 of this article are not paid within 30 days after the date of the order or the final disposition of an appeal therefrom, such costs shall be assessed against the parcel of land pursuant to the provisions of Section 38773.5 of the Government Code of the State and shall be transmitted to the Tax Collector for collection. Such assessment shall have the same priority as other City taxes.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

It shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to remove an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicle, or part thereof, or to refuse to abate such nuisance when ordered to do so in accordance with the abatement provisions of this article or State laws where such State laws are applicable.

(§ 1, Ord. 649, eff. September 24, 1987)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/OJ4979 on 2026-07-07

City of Ojai, CA

PUBLIC SAFETY

§ 3-2.1401

§ 3-2.1402