San Diego Municipal Code Div. 1 Pedicabs - Operation, Parking, and Zone Restrictions

(“Pedicabs” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.) (Retitled to “Pedicabs - Operation, Parking, and Zone Restrictions” and amended 7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015.)

The Council finds that pedicabs are a popular form of transportation in San Diego. This Division is enacted in response to concerns due to the increasing prevalence of pedicabs. It is the intent of this Division to facilitate the safe, orderly flow of traffic and to relieve congestion and traffic hazards associated with pedicab use. (“Purpose” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.) (Amended 9-11-2009 by O-19898 N.S; effective 10-11-2009.) (Amended 7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015.) (Amended 11-6-2024 by O-21888 N.S.; effective 12-6-2024.)

Defined terms appearing in this Division are shown in italics. Words or phrases not defined in this Division but defined in the California Vehicle Code shall have the meaning set forth in the California Vehicle Code. For purposes of this Division:

Martin Luther King Promenade means the pedestrian right-of-way that runs parallel
to Harbor Drive and north of the Metropolitan Transit System trolley tracks, between
Market Street and Park Boulevard.

Operate has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 33.4602.

Operator has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 33.4602.

Owner has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 33.4602.

Pedicab has the same meaning as in California Vehicle Code section 467.5.

Pedicab Decal has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 33.4602.

Pedicab Parking Zone means a parking area designated for the specific purpose of
pedicabs waiting for, dropping off, or picking up passengers.

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Pedicab Restricted Zone Decal has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 33.4602.

Person has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 11.0210.

Restricted Pedicab Zone means a geographical area listed in Municipal Code section 83.0107.

Seatbelt has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 33.4602.

Special Event has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 22.4003.

Specialized pedicab shall have the meaning set forth in California Vehicle Code section 467.5(c).

Traditional pedicab shall have the meaning set forth in California Vehicle Code sections 467.5(a) and 467.5(b). (“Definitions” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.) (Amended 6-22-2006 by O-19502 N.S.; effective 7-22-2006.) (Amended 9-11-2009 by O-19898 N.S; effective 10-11-2009.) (Amended 7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015.) (Amended 8-20-2018 by O-20982 N.S.; effective 9-19-2018.) (Amended 11-6-2024 by O-21888 N.S.; effective 12-6-2024.)

(a) Operators and owners of traditional pedicabs are subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code pertaining to the operation of bicycles upon streets, except those provisions that by their very nature can have no application.

(b) Operators and owners of specialized pedicabs must comply with all the
requirements set forth in California Vehicle Code section 21215.

(“Permit Requirement to Operate Pedicab” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.)
(Amended 6-22-2006 by O-19502 N.S.; effective 7-22-2006.)
(Amended 9-11-2009 by O-19898 N.S; effective 10-11-2009.)
(“Other Laws Applicable to Pedicab Owners and Operators” renumbered from
former Section 83.0120 and amended 7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective
8-15-2015. Former Section 83.0103 “Permit Requirement to Operate Pedicab”
amended and renumbered to Section 33.4604.)
(Amended 8-20-2018 by O-20982 N.S.; effective 9-19-2018.)

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(a) Every owner and every operator is subject to all applicable parking provisions of the California Vehicle Code and the Municipal Code. Owners and operators are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as a driver of a motor vehicle as it relates to parking violations.

(b) To provide drop off and pick up areas for pedicabs, the City Manager may
locate and designate Pedicab Parking Zones within the Restricted Pedicab
Zones.

(c) Pedicab parking violations will be issued to the owner. Pedicab parking
violation fees will correspond with parking fees established for motor vehicles
in the Municipal Code.

(d) It is unlawful for an operator to leave a pedicab unattended in a Pedicab
Parking Zone.

(e) It is unlawful to park a pedicab in a metered or park pay display parking
space.

(“Application for Operating Permit” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.)
(Amended 6-22-2006 by O-19502 N.S.; effective 7-22-2006.)
(Amended 9-11-2009 by O-19898 N.S; effective 10-11-2009.)
(Amended 1-18-2011 by O-20014 N.S.; effective 2-17-2011.)
(“Pedicab Parking” renumbered from former Section 83.0110 and amended
7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015. Former Section 83.0104
“Application for Operating Permit” amended and renumbered to Section 33.4605.)
(Amended 11-6-2024 by O-21888 N.S.; effective 12-6-2024.)

(a) It is unlawful to operate a traditional pedicab on a City street with a posted speed limit in excess of 25 miles per hour unless it is operated within a class II bike lane.

(b) It is unlawful to operate a specialized pedicab on a City street with a posted
speed limit in excess of 30 miles per hour.

(c) It is unlawful to operate a pedicab on Garnet Avenue west of Ingraham
Street; Pacific Beach Drive west of Riviera Drive; Riviera Drive; Sunset
Cliffs Boulevard; Newport Avenue west of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard; Prospect
Avenue between Coast Boulevard and Fay Avenue; Girard Avenue between
Pearl Street and Torrey Pines Road.

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(d) It is unlawful to operate a pedicab on the Martin Luther King Promenade.

(e) It is unlawful to operate a pedicab upon a sidewalk except as may be
necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
(“Pedicab Operating Permit Fee” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.)
(Amended 6-22-2006 by O-19502 N.S.; effective 7-22-2006.)
(Renumbered from Section 83.0125, retitled from “Prohibitions on the Manner of
Operating Pedicabs” to “Prohibitions on Where Pedicabs May Operate” and
amended 7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015. Former Section 83.0105
“Pedicab Operating Permit Fee” amended and renumbered to Section 33.4603.)
(Amended 8-20-2018 by O-20982 N.S.; effective 9-19-2018.)
(Amended 11-6-2024 by O-21888 N.S.; effective 12-6-2024.)

It is unlawful to operate a pedicab within the perimeter of a permitted Special Event except where specifically authorized by the City Manager. (“Duration of Validity of Operating Permit” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.) (Amended 6-22-2006 by O-19502 N.S.; effective 7-22-2006.) (Amended 9-11-2009 by O-19898 N.S; effective 10-11-2009.) (“Pedicab Special Events Restrictions” renumbered from Section 83.0112 and amended 7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015. Former Section 83.0106 “Validity of Operating Permit” amended and renumbered to Section 33.4606.) (Amended 11-6-2024 by O-21888 N.S.; effective 12-6-2024.)

(a) A Pedicab Restricted Zone Decal shall be required to operate a pedicab within a Restricted Pedicab Zone.

(b) The following are Restricted Pedicab Zones:

(1) The Downtown Zone shall encompass the area bordered by the south
curb line of Ash Street between San Diego Bay and 11th Avenue, the
east curb line of 11th Avenue between Ash Street and C Street, the
north curb line of C Street between 11th Avenue and 14th Street, and
the east curb line of 14th Street between C Street and San Diego Bay.

(2) The Ocean Beach Zone shall encompass the area bordered by the
south curb line of Voltaire Street between the Pacific Ocean and
Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, the east curb line of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard
between Voltaire Street and Narragansett Avenue, and the north curb
line of Narragansett Avenue between Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and the
Pacific Ocean.

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(3) The Mission Beach/Pacific Beach Zone shall encompass the area
bordered by the south curb line of Beryl Street and its extension
between the Pacific Ocean and Ingraham Street, and the east curb line
of Ingraham Street between Beryl Street and the Mission Bay
Channel.

(4) The La Jolla Zone shall encompass the area bordered by the south curb
line of Camino del Collado between the Pacific Ocean and La Jolla
Shores Drive, the west curb line of La Jolla Shores Drive between
Camino del Collado and Torrey Pines Road, the north curb line of
Torrey Pines Road between La Jolla Shores Drive and Girard Avenue,
the east curb line of Girard Avenue between Torrey Pines Road and
the extension of the north curb line of Marine Street, and the north
curb line of Marine Street and its extension between Girard Avenue
and the Pacific Ocean.

(5) The Petco Ballpark Zone shall encompass the area bordered by the
south curb line of Island Ave between Sixth Avenue and 14th Street,
the east curb line of 14th Street between Island Avenue and
Commercial Street, the north curb line of Commercial Street between
14th Street and Harbor Drive, the north curb line of Harbor Drive
between Commercial Street and Sixth Avenue and the west curb line
of Sixth Avenue between Harbor Drive and Island Avenue.

(c) It is unlawful to operate a pedicab in a Restricted Pedicab Zone without a
valid Pedicab Restricted Zone Decal.

(d) It is unlawful to operate a pedicab within the Petco Ballpark Zone beginning
three hours before the scheduled start time until one hour after the conclusion
of any Padres games, event, or City Special Event occurring at Petco Park.
(“Operating Permit Renewal” added 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.)
(Amended 6-22-2006 by O-19502 N.S.; effective 7-22-2006.)
(Amended 9-11-2009 by O-19898 N.S; effective 10-11-2009.)
(“Restricted Pedicab Zones” renumbered from Section 83.0113 and amended
7-16-2015 by O-20515 N.S.; effective 8-15-2015. Former Section 83.0107
“Operating Permit Renewal” amended and renumbered to Section 33.4607.)
(Amended 11-6-2024 by O-21888 N.S.; effective 12-6-2024.)

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Article 3: Alternative Transportation

(Retitled from “Pedicabs” to “Pedicabs, Pedestrians and Bicycles” on 11-1-1999 by O-18701 N.S.)

(Retitled from “Pedicabs, Pedestrians and Bicycles” to “Alternative Transportation” on 5-17-2019 by O-21070 N.S.; effective 6-16-2019.)