Rohnert Park Municipal Code Ch. 10.50 Residential Parking Permit Program

This chapter is enacted in response to the adverse effects of motor vehicle congestion in certain neighborhoods within the City of Rohnert Park. The long-term parking of motor vehicles by nonresidents creates significant traffic congestion and threatens the health, safety and general welfare of residents within the affected neighborhoods. To better protect and promote the integrity of these neighborhoods and their residents, it is necessary to enact a residential parking permit program. This chapter shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with Vehicle Code Section 22507.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

As a result of public input and additional information gathered from survey responses and the department of public safety, the city council finds that adverse effects of motor vehicle congestion in certain neighborhoods caused by long-term parking of motor vehicles by nonresidents is detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Rohnert Park. The parking permit program established by this chapter will reduce these negative effects by:

A. Reducing potentially hazardous traffic conditions caused by the long-term parking of motor vehicles by nonresidents;

B. Protecting affected neighborhoods from air pollution, excessive noise, and refuse caused by the entry and exit of nonresident motor vehicles;

C. Protecting affected residents from unreasonable burdens in obtaining parking near, and gaining access to, their residences;

D. Preserving the residential character of affected neighborhoods;

E. Preserving the property value in affected neighborhoods;

F. Preserving the safety of children and pedestrians; and

G. Promoting traffic safety and the peace, good order, comfort, convenience and general welfare of the citizens of Rohnert Park.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

A. "Residential parking permit area" means any contiguous area upon which the city council imposes parking regulations pursuant to the authority granted by this chapter and Vehicle Code Section 22507.

B. "Parking permit" means a permit issued under this chapter which, when properly displayed upon a motor vehicle, shall exempt the motor vehicle from the parking regulations established by the city council in accordance with this chapter.

C. "Motor vehicle" includes an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other motor-driven form of transportation not in excess of eight thousand pounds gross weight. Motor vehicles do not include boats, trailers, camp trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, or trailer coaches as those terms are defined in the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

A. A motor vehicle that properly displays a valid parking permit as provided for in this chapter shall be permitted to stand or park in the residential parking permit area for which the permit has been issued without being subject to any of the regulations that may be established in accordance with this chapter.

B. Any motor vehicle that does not properly display a valid parking permit will be subject to the fine and penalties set forth in Section 10.50.080 below.

C. A parking permit does not guarantee or reserve to the permitee an on-street parking space within the residential parking permit area.

D. The following motor vehicles shall be exempt from this chapter:

1. All state, county, and local government-issued motor vehicles, including emergency motor vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances, and police vehicles;

2. Motor vehicles used by disabled persons meeting the requirements of Vehicle Code Section 22511.5; and

3. Service or delivery motor vehicles that are under the control of a person providing service to a property located within the residential parking permit area.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

(A) The city council shall consider designating a residential parking permit area in any area for which an application has been submitted. To be eligible to apply for such a designation, there must be at least ten residences in a proposed residential parking permit area. The application must satisfy the following requirements:

(1) It must be submitted on a form obtained from city hall;

(2) It must contain a reasonable description and a map of the proposed residential parking permit area;

(3) It must contain the following statement:

"We, the undersigned, are residents of the proposed residential parking permit area described in this application. We understand that if our neighborhood is designated as a residential parking permit area, certain restrictions will be placed upon on-street parking within the area. Residents of the area will be eligible to obtain parking permits exempting them from such parking restrictions. Parking permits will be subject to an annual fee established by City Council resolution. By signing this application, we hereby request that the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park consider this application for establishment of the above-described area as a "residential parking permit area."

The statement must be followed by the signature, name, address and date of signing of at least sixty-five percent of the adult residents living in the proposed residential parking permit area. Only one adult resident per residence may be counted towards the sixty-five percent requirement.

B. Upon receipt of an application described in this section, and in accordance with Vehicle Code Section 22507, the city council shall hold a public hearing and may, by resolution, establish a residential parking permit area and adopt any regulations and time restrictions determined by the city council to be reasonable and necessary to effectuate the purpose of this chapter.

1. Any resolution adopted by the city council shall not take effect until signs or markings giving adequate notice thereof have been posted in the residential parking permit area in accordance with Section 10.50.070 of this chapter.

2. Notice of the public hearing held pursuant to this section shall be posted at least 10 days before the hearing on all blocks proposed to be included in the residential parking permit area.

C. Upon public notice as set forth herein, the city council may, by resolution, modify a residential parking permit area and any applicable regulations.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

A. Parking permits will remain valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance and must contain the location of the residential parking permit area for which they are issued and the dates for which they are valid. Parking permits must also contain a unique number that can be used to identify the person, motor vehicle, and/or residence affiliated with each parking permit.

B. Each parking permit shall be displayed hanging from the motor vehicle's rear-view mirror or dashboard, with the permit number clearly visible.

C. Once the city council establishes a residential parking permit area, an affected resident can apply for a parking permit at city hall. The city manager or his/her designee may adopt additional rules and regulations governing the issuance and display of residential parking permits, but at a minimum an applicant must provide the following:

1. Proof of residence within the residential parking permit area;

2. Proof of valid registration for the proposed permitted motor vehicle;

3. A fee in an amount established by city council resolution.

D. A parking permit may be issued to a resident who does not possess a motor vehicle if the resident submits a signed statement demonstrating that the resident needs to provide a parking permit to a caretaker or service provider.

E. No more than three parking permits shall be issued for each residence, and no more than one permit shall be issued per motor vehicle.

F. Once issued, parking permits may be interchanged among all motor vehicles associated with each residence or person listed on the application. Parking permits may also be loaned to guests, visitors, and service providers associated with the residence or person listed on the application.

G. To accommodate special events such as family gatherings and other temporary events, the city may issue temporary parking permits to residents within a residential parking permit area. Any resident within a residential parking permit area can apply for a temporary parking permit at city Hall. A temporary parking permit shall be valid for a maximum period of fourteen calendar days and must include the following information:

1. The residential parking permit area;

2. The dates for which it is valid;

3. The address of the residence associated with the temporary parking permit; and

4. The printed name and signature of the issuing official.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

The city shall post signs in each residential parking permit area specifying the parking regulations for that area.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)

A. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to:

1. Stand or park a motor vehicle without a properly displayed parking permit within a residential parking permit area for a period of time exceeding the posted time limitation for that area;

2. Falsely represent himself or herself as eligible for a parking permit or to furnish false information in a parking permit application;

3. Copy, reproduce or otherwise bring into existence a facsimile or counterfeit parking permit; or

4. Knowingly use or display a facsimile or counterfeit parking permit to evade any regulations established in accordance with this chapter.

B. Every person who violates the provisions of subsection (A)(1) of this section is guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to an administrative penalty in an amount established by resolution of the city council.

(C) Every person who violates the provisions of subsections (A)(2), (A)(3), or (A)(4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to an administrative penalty in an amount established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. No. 818, § 1, 10-13-2009)