Paso Robles Municipal Code Ch. 12.37 Valet

A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to set forth the criteria to be used by the city of Paso Robles for the installation, removal, and regulation of selected areas for valet parking, in the public right-of-way. This division is enacted in response to the need to supplement on-street parking. The intent is to provide the public with another parking option in parking impacted areas. Valet parking areas can create parking relief of on-street parking. For the reasons set forth in this chapter, a system of valet parking permits is enacted for the city of Paso Robles.

B. Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used in this title shall have the following meanings:

1. "Valet parking" means parking arrangements provided where patrons leave their cars at the street curb line and attendants park and retrieve them for a fee.

2. "Valet parking zone" means an area for a standard single passenger vehicle on the public right-of-way that has been set aside by the city manager for valet parking.

3. "Valet parking permit" means a permit issued in accordance with this division for the approved use of valet parking in a valet parking zone.

C. Designation of Valet Parking Zones.

1. The city engineer shall consider the following in evaluating approval of valet parking zones:

a. Safety and convenience for the people of the city of Paso Robles;

b. Actual number of passengers to be served by the zone;

c. Proximity of existing valet parking zones;

d. Existing demands for curb use such as the number and location of existing transit and taxi/TNC loading zones, and existing commercial loading zones in the general area of the requested zone;

e. Overall determination of available on street parking for the area; and

f. Designation of the valet parking zone will cause no significant impact on the environment.

2. Valet parking zones may also be used for on-street public parking, or for loading and unloading of persons or property.

D. Application for Permits.

1. The city engineer is authorized to issue, upon written application, a valet parking permit. Applications for valet parking shall be made upon application forms provided by the city engineer and shall be accompanied by a filing fee. The fee for each permit application shall be paid at the time of application. The permit fees shall be based on the reasonable cost of application, plan review, study, and other services as required for permit approval. Other fees based on the cost of private usage of the public right-of-way will also be assessed per valet parking zone spaces. The fees shall be paid in accordance with the city's master fee schedule.

2. The application shall include:

a. The business name and address of the corporation, partnership or other business entity seeking the permit;

b. The identifying number of the applicant's Paso Robles business license; and

c. Any other information consistent with this chapter that the city manager deems necessary for persons applying for valet parking permits.

E. Duration of Permit.

1. Each valet parking permit issued by the city manager shall be valid for not more than one year from date of issuance. Each application renewal of a valet parking permit will be subject to an annual valet parking zone inspection. The inspection fee shall be set forth in the rate book on file in the office of the city clerk.

a. The valet parking permit shall authorize the permittee to provide valet parking in a designated valet parking zone.

b. The permittee shall operate the valet parking zone in such a manner as to provide ample opportunities for its use by motorists who do not wish to utilize the valet parking service.

c. The valet parking operator shall be the business owner, under contract to or employed by the business or businesses to be served.

d. The permittee shall agree to provide and maintain portable pedestal signs as required. The pedestal signs shall be twenty-four inches wide and not more than four feet high. The sign pedestal must be located within twenty-four inches of the face of the curb and be placed in such a manner as not to create an impediment to pedestrians.

e. The permittee shall not allow the valet parking zone or any other public right-of-way to be used for the storing of valet parked cars.

f. The applicant shall provide a map of the immediate area showing the location of the valet service and the off-street parking lot(s) to be used for the storage of vehicles. Any changes in this provision shall require the approval of the city manager.

g. The applicant shall provide a copy of the agreement between the valet operator and the off-street parking lot operator for the storage of vehicles.

h. The applicant shall agree to indemnify the city of Paso Robles with an indemnification agreement satisfactory to the city manager and city attorney.

i. The applicant shall maintain a policy of liability insurance in an amount satisfactory to the city manager in order to protect the city of Paso Robles from any claims that may arise from the valet parking operation.

j. Nothing in this chapter is intended to authorize, or authorizes, the parking of motor vehicles by the applicant or valet parking operators in a manner contrary to applicable state laws or local parking and traffic regulations.

k. The permittee shall have the required valet parking permit required in its possession at the place where it is conducting any valet parking activity under the permit(s), and shall exhibit the permit(s) in a place that is conspicuous to the public. The permits must be available for inspection on demand of any peace officer, enforcement official, or city manager.

F. Permit Revocation

1. The permittee is responsible for the proper operation of the valet parking zone. Any violation of the conditions enumerated in this chapter shall be sufficient cause for revocation of the valet parking permit by the city manager.

2. A valet parking permit may be temporarily suspended without a hearing if the city manager determines that the continued operation is a hazard to public safety or is in violation of this chapter. The suspension will be effective for sixty days or until a hearing, whichever is less. Once a hearing has convened, the suspension will continue through its conclusion.

3. The city manager shall revoke a valet parking permit if, after a hearing on the matter, the hearing officer finds that grounds exist which would have constituted just cause for refusal to issue the permit, or that the permittee has failed to comply with any requirements imposed by this chapter or conditions of the permit. Written notice of the revocation hearing, setting forth the time and place of hearing and a brief statement of the reason(s) for the proposed revocation, shall be served on or mailed to the permittee at the business address listed in the permit application no less than ten days prior to the hearing.

G. Penalty Provisions.

1. It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to operate, engage in, conduct, manage, or cause to be operated on any public street or right-of-way any valet parking without a valid valet parking permit issued by the city manager.

2. It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter for a person to falsely represent himself as eligible for a valet parking permit or to furnish false information in an application for a valet parking permit.

3. It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter for a person holding a valet parking permit to permit the use or display of the permit for any purpose other than that for which the permit is issued.

4. It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter for a person to copy, produce or otherwise bring into existence a facsimile or counterfeit valet parking permit without written authorization from the city manager. It shall further be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for a person to transfer the beneficial ownership of or a continuous right to use a valet parking permit.

5. Any violations of the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable in accordance with this code.

(Ord. No. 1065 N.S., § 3, 11-6-2018)