San Bruno Municipal Code Ch. 7.16 Stopping, Standing and Parking

A. The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles shall not apply when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.

B. Persons with disabilities, as defined in Section 22511.5 of the Vehicle Code, shall be allowed to park vehicles bearing a special license or displaying a special placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for unlimited times in parking zones restricted as to the length of time parking is permitted, except in: (1) parking zones where the stopping, standing, or parking of all vehicles is prohibited; and (2) parking zones which are reserved for special types of vehicles.

C. Veterans with disabilities who are entitled to either of the exemptions provided in Section 9105 of the Vehicle Code and Section 10783 of the Revenue and Taxation Code shall be allowed to park vehicles bearing a special license or displaying a special placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles in restricted zones, except where the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle is absolutely prohibited.

D. The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles shall not apply to the following:

1. A vehicle which has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle pursuant to the Vehicle Code, including, but not limited to, police and fire department vehicles, public or private ambulances, public utility vehicles, and other vehicles, where any such vehicle is operated in the manner prescribed in Section 21055 of the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.

2. A vehicle which is owned or operated by or for a utility, public utility, or the city and used in the construction, operation, removal or repair of utility or public utility property or facilities, or of city property or facilities, when the vehicle is stopped, standing, or parked at the site of work involving such construction, operation, removal or repair upon, in, over, under, or adjacent to a highway and warning devices are displayed.

3. A vehicle owned or operated by the United States Postal Service while in use for the collection, transportation or delivery of United States mail.

(Prior code § 13-7.1; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1444 § 1, 1984; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

The following curb markings shall have the following meanings:

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

B. Yellow means no stopping, standing, for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials; provided that the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty minutes. Such restrictions shall apply between seven a.m. and six p.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays, or as posted on a street sign, except:

1. When such zone is located within any public park or recreation area the restriction shall apply at all times.

C. Green means no stopping, standing, or parking for a period of time longer than twenty-four minutes at any time between nine a.m. and six p.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays, or as posted on a street sign.

D. White means no stopping, standing, or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers, for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent box, which shall not exceed three minutes. Such restrictions shall apply between seven a.m. and six p.m. on any day except Sundays and holidays, or as posted on a street sign, except as follows:

1. When such zone is in front of a hotel or in front of a mailbox the restriction shall apply at all times;

2. When such zone is in front of a theater the restriction shall apply at all times except when such theater is closed;

3. When such zone is in front of a school the restriction shall apply for the hours between seven-thirty a.m. and eight-thirty a.m. and between two-thirty p.m. and three-thirty p.m. on all weekdays when school is in session, or as posted on a street sign.

E. Blue means no stopping, standing, or parking at any time except for vehicles bearing special licenses or placards for the disabled.

(Ord. 1475 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1584 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A restriction imposed upon stopping, standing, or parking by a posted sign shall apply for a distance of not more than seventy-five feet from such sign, or up to the intersection nearest the sign, whichever is less, unless the sign designates a lesser distance.

(Prior code § 13-7.3; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or other authorized officer or traffic sign, or signal:

1. Within any median divider unless authorized and clearly indicated with appropriate signs or markings;

2. In any area established as a no parking area, where indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

3. On any street or highway or portion thereof, the use of which:

a. Is necessary for cleaning, repair, construction, or installation of underground utilities,

b. Is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic,

c. Is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles or structures of unusual size, and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided, that signs giving notice of such no parking are erected or placed at least seventy-two hours prior to the effective time of such no parking;

B. No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer of official traffic control device, along the edge of any highway, at any curb, in any location in a publicly or privately owned or operated off-street parking facility, or upon any portion of a public or private street, roadway, alley or access way, designated as a fire lane by the San Bruno fire department.

1. The designation shall be indicated: (a) by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane; (b) by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking the place with the words "FIRE LANE," which are clearly visible from a vehicle; or (c) by a red curb or red paint on the edge of the street, roadway, alley or access way upon which is clearly marked the words "FIRE LANE."

(Prior code § 13-7.4; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1444 § 2, 1984; Ord. 1484A § 1, 1988; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

Pursuant to the authority granted under Section 22500 of the California Vehicle Code, a person may park within an intersection adjacent to the curb, for any such intersection that the city council has found, by resolution, that the width of the highway and traffic conditions are such that parking will not constitute a traffic hazard or impede the free flow of traffic.

(Ord. 1942, 12/12/2023)

A. The city council may establish loading zones and passenger loading zones as follows:

1. At any place in the central traffic district or any business district;

2. Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for purpose of public assembly.

B. In no event shall more than one-half of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes.

(Prior code § 13-7.5; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

When the city traffic engineer as authorized under this title has caused curb markings to be placed given adequate notice of loading zone restriction, no person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle adjacent to such legible curb markings in violation of any such restriction.

(Prior code § 13-7.6; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. Unlicensed Parking Prohibited. No person shall park or stand any vehicle in a parking zone for persons with disabilities (blue curb) unless such vehicle bears a special license or displays a special placard issued under the provisions of Section 9105 or Section 22511.5 of the Vehicle Code.

B. Identification of Spaces or Stalls.

1. On-street Spaces. Disabled person parking zones (blue curb spaces) shall be indicated by blue paint on the curb edge of the paved portion of the street. For further identification, the International Symbol of Access may be painted on the blue curb in white followed by the world "ONLY." In addition a sign not less than seventeen inches by twenty-two inches with lettering standing not less than one inch in height shall be posted stating: or;

2. Off-Street Publicly Owned Facilities. Designation of parking stalls for persons with disabilities in publicly financed off-street parking facilities shall be made by posting immediately adjacent thereto, and visible from the same, a sign consisting of the International Symbol of Access. In addition, a sign of a size with lettering described in subdivision 1 shall be posted either at the entrance to the parking facility or immediately adjacent to and visible from the reserved stall(s). All signs shall be posted at a height of eighty-four inches from the ground.

3. Off-Street Privately Financed Facilities. Parking stalls for persons with disabilities in privately financed facilities shall be established by the chief building official or by resolution of the city council if required by law. Such stalls shall be designated by posting immediately thereto, and visible from the same, a sign consisting of the International Symbol of Access. In addition, a sign not less than seventeen inches by twenty-two inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height which clearly states the language in subsection B.1 of this section shall be posted at the entrance to each such facility to the effect that the facility is subject to public traffic regulation and control. All signs shall be posted at a height of eighty-four inches from the ground.

C. Operative Times of Zone. Parking spaces for persons with disabilities shall be operative twenty-four hours a day, Sundays and holidays included.

D. Zones Subject to Temporary Prohibitions. Parking zones for the physically disabled are subject to any otherwise applicable restrictions on the time a vehicle may be parked within a given space or location.

(Prior code § 13-7.7; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. Except in locations with rolled curbs, no person shall park, stand, or remain parked or standing or unattended, any vehicle upon any street in a business or residence district having a grade of more than three percent without first causing the front wheels of such vehicle to be turned at sufficient angle and so cramped or secured against the sidewalk curb adjacent thereto in such manner as to prevent the movement of such vehicle in the event of a failure to the braking system thereof.

B. In lieu of compliance with subsection A, the operator of a vehicle which is exempt from the requirements of Section 22502 of the Vehicle Code, or of a commercial vehicle which is engaged in the loading or unloading of passengers or merchandise may engage the parking brake system of the vehicle and immediately ensure the placement of a block to the downward side of the rear wheels which is adequate to prevent the vehicle from moving.

C. This section is adopted pursuant to Section 22509 of the Vehicle Code.

(Prior code § 13-7.8; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

When any vehicle is parked, standing, or stored on public or private property, other than a street, having a slope of any kind such that the vehicle would be propelled upon the public streets if not properly safeguarded, the owner of such vehicle shall properly secure it against such risk.

(Prior code § 13-7.9; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. No person who owns or has possession, custody, or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two hours.

B. All vehicles parked in violation of this section may be removed as authorized by the Vehicle Code.

(Prior code § 13-7.10; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. No person shall repair, grease, or cause to be repaired or greased any vehicle or part thereof on any public street, or on any unimproved land not owned or occupied by such person so as to deposit or cause to be deposited any substance on the roadway or upon such land.

B. No person shall construct, repair, or cause to be constructed or repaired any vehicle on any public street, or on any unimproved land not owned or occupied by such person so as to cause such vehicle to be dismantled. This section shall not prohibit the making of minor repairs or emergency repairs.

(Prior code § 13-7.12; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

When signs authorized by the provisions of Section 7.12.170, pertaining to emergency prohibition of operation or parking of vehicles, no person shall operate, park, or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions and provisions of such signs.

(Prior code § 13-7.13; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

The purpose of Sections 7.16.150, 7.16.160 and 7.16.170 in imposing time limits on street parking is to maximize the number of persons who can park vehicles in those areas of the city wherein street parking opportunities are limited and parking spaces are in the greatest demand.

(Prior code § 13-7.14; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

The city council of the city of San Bruno, on the recommendation of the city manager or their designee, may establish by resolution time limits for parking.

(Prior code § 13-7.15; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021; Ord. 1941, 11/14/2023; Ord. 1963, 6/10/2025)

Where parking space markings have been placed on a street, public parking lot, or private parking lot which has been designated by the city council as being subject to the provisions of the Vehicle Code, no person shall stop, leave standing, or park any vehicle other than within a single space unless the size and shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible.

(Prior code § 13-7.16; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

On any of the streets, portions of streets, or public roadways established by resolution of the city council as diagonal parking zones, when signs or pavement markings are in place indicating such diagonal parking, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park such vehicle except:

A. At the angle to the curb indicated by signs or pavement markings and entirely within the limits of the allotted space;

B. With the front wheel nearest the curb within six inches of the curb.

(Prior code § 13-7.17; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. Where the city council has designated a street or portion thereof as a no stopping zone, and where appropriate signs have been placed indicating that stopping of vehicles is prohibited and indicating the hours of the day when such stopping is prohibited, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle on any such street or portion thereof during the hours or on the days during which stopping is prohibited.

B. All vehicles parked in violation of this section may be removed as authorized by the Vehicle Code.

(Prior code § 13-7.18; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. Except as provided in subsection B, it is unlawful to drive, park, use, or store a motor vehicle upon any public property except upon streets, roadways, and parking lots specifically constructed for that purpose.

B. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent vehicles from entering or using public property where such entry or use is necessary for the maintenance, repair, or construction of governmental or public utility facilities.

C. As used in this section, the term "public property" includes, but is not limited to, parks, public utility easements, and recreational areas within the city.

(Prior code § 13-7.19; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, each person is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which the violation of any provision of this chapter is continued.

B. Whenever any person shall have stopped, stood, or parked a vehicle for a period of time longer than allowed by posted sign or curb marking in violation of Section 7.16.150, the stopping, standing, or parking of such vehicle at the same or substantially the same location for an additional period in excess of the time limits imposed at that location pursuant to Section 7.16.150 shall constitute a separate offense.

(Prior code § 13-7.20; Ord. 1376 § 1, 1981; Ord. 1900 § 3, 2021)