Pittsburg Municipal Code Art. V Retrieval Of Shopping Carts By City

A. The city of Pittsburg may impound a shopping cart when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The shopping cart has a sign affixed to it as required by PMC § 10.59.210;

2. The shopping cart is located outside the premises or parking area of a business establishment. The parking area of a business establishment located in a multi-store complex or shopping center shall include the entire parking area used by the complex or center; and

3. Except as provided in PMC § 10.59.610, the shopping cart is not retrieved within three days from the date the owner of the shopping cart, or his or her agent, receives actual notice from the city of the shopping cart's discovery and location.

B. In instances where the location of a shopping cart will impede emergency services, the city is authorized to immediately retrieve the shopping cart from public or private property.

C. Any shopping cart that is impounded by the city pursuant to this section shall be held at a location that is both:

1. Reasonably convenient to the owner of the shopping cart; and

2. Open for business at least six hours of each business day.

D. Any shopping cart not reclaimed from the city within 30 days of receipt of a notice of violation by the owner of the shopping cart may be sold or otherwise disposed of by the city.

E. The city may impose an administrative penalty on the owner of a shopping cart in an amount not to exceed $50.00 for each occurrence in excess of three during a specified six-month period for failure to retrieve shopping carts in accordance with this section. An occurrence includes all shopping carts impounded in accordance with this section in a one-day period. The owner's right of appeal shall be as set forth in Chapter 1.08 PMC.

F. The city is authorized to recover actual costs incurred for impounding a shopping cart under the authority provided in subsections (A) and (B) of this section.

(Ord. 1166 § 2, 2000)