San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Art. 3 Parking

(a) Prohibited parking. The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles shall apply at all times or at the times set forth in this chapter, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device.

(b) Limited parking. The provisions of this chapter shall not relieve any person from the duty of observing other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code or this chapter pertaining to the parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.

(§§ 3-1.01 and 3-1.02, Art. 3-1, Ch. 3, Ord. 295)

The Council shall designate certain streets, or portions of streets, as follows:

(a) No parking zones;

(b) No stopping zones;

(c) Loading zones;

(d) Passenger loading zones;

(e) Bus stops;

(f) Parking zones for physically handicapped persons;

(g) Time limited; and

(h) Other restricted zones.

In addition, the Traffic Engineer (or his designee) may cause to be designated red curb on those portions of any public street for which such restriction may apply, in accordance with:

(§ 3-1.03, Art. 3-1, Ch. 3, Ord. 295, as amended by § 2, Ord. 450, eff. March 18, 1982, and § 2, Ord. 485, eff. May 19, 1983, § 1, Ord. 741)

(a) Following action by the City Council designating an area as one of the zones set forth in Section 4-6.302, the Traffic Engineer shall mark such zones by appropriate paint upon the curb surfaces of the streets or, following such action by the City Council, install signs and shall thereafter maintain such zones.

(b) Curb markings. The Traffic Engineer shall place the following curb markings to indicate parking or standing regulations, and such curb markings shall have the following meanings:

(1) Red shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking at any time, except as permitted by the provisions of the Vehicle Code, and except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or signed as a bus zone.

(2) Yellow shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, except holidays, for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials; provided, however, such loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes, and the loading or unloading of materials shall not consume more than 20 minutes.

(3) White shall mean no stopping, standing, or parking for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox, which shall not exceed three minutes, and such restrictions shall apply between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, except holidays, and except as follows:

(i) Where such zone is in front of a hotel or mailbox, the restriction shall apply at all times.

(ii) Where such zone is in front of a theater, the restrictions shall apply at all times, except when such theater is closed.

(4) Blue shall mean parking restricted for use by physically handicapped persons.

(5) Green shall mean no standing or parking for a period of time longer than indicated at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on any day, except holidays, or as otherwise indicated.

(c) Parking space markings. The Traffic Engineer shall place the parking space markings necessary or desirable to indicate parking spaces adjacent to curbing where authorized parking is permitted.

(d) Obedience. When such curb markings or signs are in place, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park such vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation of any provision of this chapter. When such parking space markings are placed on the highway, subject to other and more restrictive limitations, no vehicle shall be stopped, left standing, or parked other than within a single space, unless the size or shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible.

(§§ 3-2.01 and 3-2.02, Art. 3-2, and § 3-3.01, Art. 3-3, Ch. 3, Ord. 295, as amended by § 2, Ord. 450, eff. March 18, 1982, and § 2, Ord. 485, eff. May 19, 1983, § 1, Ord. 741)

It shall be unlawful for any driver of any vehicle or person riding any horse to stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle or horse in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a peace officer:

(a) Within any divisional island, unless authorized and clearly indicated with appropriate signs or markings;

(b) In any area established by resolution of the Council as a no parking zone when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface; and

(c) On any street or highway where the use of such street or highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair, or construction of the street or highway or the installation of underground utilities, or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic, or where the use of the street or highway, or any portion thereof, 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, however, signs giving notice of such no parking shall be erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the effective time of such no parking.

(§ 3-4.01, Art. 3-4, Ch. 3, Ord. 295)

Whenever the Council designates an area as a no stopping zone, the Traffic Engineer shall place appropriate signs indicating the hours and the days when stopping shall be prohibited.

During the hours and on the days designated on the signs, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop such vehicle on any of the streets, or parts of streets, established by resolution of the Council as no stopping zones.

(Art. 3-5, Ch. 3, Ord. 295)

(a) Locations. The Council shall designate loading zones as follows:

(1) At any place in the business district; and

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

(b) Limits. In no event shall more than 1/2 of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes.

(c) Curb markings. Loading zones shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

(d) Obedience. No operator of any vehicle or person riding any horse shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle or horse within any loading zone contrary to the provisions of this article.

(§§ 3-6.01 through 3-6.04, Art. 3-6, Ch. 3, Ord. 295)

(a) Locations. The Council shall designate passenger loading zones as follows:

(1) At any curb in front of any mailbox; and

(2) At any curb in front of any portion of the main entrance and outside vestibule of any theater.

(b) Curb markings. Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by white paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

(c) Obedience. No operator of any vehicle or person riding any horse shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle or horse within any passenger loading zone contrary to the provisions of this article.

(§§ 3-7.01 through 3-7.03, Art. 3-7, Ch. 3, Ord. 295)

Whenever the Council, by resolution, has established bus zones for the purpose of loading and unloading buses of common carriers of passengers, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle, except a bus, in a bus zone.

(Art. 3-8, Ch. 3, Ord. 295)

Whenever the City Council, by resolution, shall have established any area as a prohibited and/or restricted zone as set forth in this article, the City Council, at the same time or thereafter, by resolution, may determine that any one or more of the circumstances described in Section 22651 of the Vehicle Code exist as to such area and may designate such area as a towaway zone. Whenever the City Council shall have designated any area as a towaway zone, it shall be the duty of the Traffic Engineer to cause signs to be posted giving notice that any vehicle, violating the prohibition and/or restriction in such towaway zone may be removed.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-4.02; Ord. No. 542, § 1-A, 1985; Ord. No. 741, § 1)

It is unlawful for any person who owns or has the possession, custody, or control of any vehicle to park or leave standing such vehicle upon any street for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours.

Whenever any vehicle is parked or left standing upon any street for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours, such vehicle may be removed by persons so authorized pursuant to Section 22651 of the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-4.05; Ord. No. 542, § 1-B, 1985)

It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of:

(a) Painting, greasing, or repairing such vehicle or property thereon, except repairs necessitated by an emergency; and

(b) Washing or polishing such vehicle, or any part thereof, when a charge is made for such service.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-4.04; Ord. No. 1039, § 1, 2016)

It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle unattended on a highway upon any grade exceeding 3% without blocking the wheels of the vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-4.03)

(a) It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle within any parkway.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park a vehicle in the front yard area of any residentially used lot or parcel of land, except in a paved driveway or parking space. All wheels of the vehicle must be parked on the paved surface. For purposes of this subsection (b), the following definitions apply:

“Front yard area”

means any area that is not a paved driveway, that is between the front elevation of the residential building and the front property line of the lot or parcel, and that extends the entire width of the lot or parcel.

“Paved driveway”

means a paved strip of land that meets all applicable zoning and building regulations of the City, that provides access from the street to an approved garage, carport, or parking space, and that has a single access point. The paved driveway may have two access points only if the driveway is semi-circular in nature. This section shall not be construed to permit the paving of all or any portion of a front-yard area without first complying with all applicable zoning and building codes and regulations of the City.

“Parking space”

means a paved area within the front yard area that meets all applicable zoning and building regulations of the City and that is of sufficient size to be used for the express purpose of parking a vehicle.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-4.06; Ord. No. 1042, § 10, 2017)

A special permit to allow overnight parking may be obtained from the Traffic Engineer in accordance with the following:

(a) Such permit shall not be issued for a period longer than 72 hours from the time of granting the permit. The Traffic Engineer may extend such period of time a maximum of 72 hours.

(b) Any person granted such permit shall be required to prominently display the permit number, owner’s name and address, and the date and time of the termination of such permit on the rear or side window of the vehicle for which the permit was issued.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-11.02)

(a) Signs—Placement and removal. Whenever the Traffic Engineer shall determine that an emergency traffic congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings, or functions or for other reasons, the Traffic Engineer shall have the power and authority to order temporary signs to be erected or posted indicating that the operation, parking, or standing of vehicles shall be prohibited on such streets and alleys as the Traffic Engineer shall direct during the time such temporary signs are in place. Such signs shall remain in place only during the existence of such emergency, and the Traffic Engineer shall cause such signs to be removed promptly thereafter.

(b) Signs—Obedience. When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall operate, park, or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions and provisions of such signs.

(Ord. No. 295, §§ 3-9.01, 3-9.02)

The Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to place signs, with the words “No Parking-Street Sweeping,” on those streets where it is determined by an engineering study that such control is necessary to maintain proper sanitation standards in the public rights-of-way. Such signs when placed shall indicate the hours and days when parking shall be prohibited.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-4.07)

(a) It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any commercial vehicle, as defined in Section 260 of the Vehicle Code, for more than one hour on any street in the City.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any commercial vehicle, as defined in Section 260 of the Vehicle Code, and having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle rating of 10,000 pounds or more, on any street, or portion thereof, in a residential area of the City.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-10.01; Ord. No. 542, § 1-C, 1985)

The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of Section 4-6.317 of this article shall not apply to the following:

(a) Pickup trucks, as defined by Section 471 of the California Vehicle Code, unless:

(1) Goods, wares, or property of a commercial nature are loaded thereon extending above the manufacturer’s box (pickup bed); or

(2) Sideboards, stakes, above-cab racks, or other extensions used for the transportation of goods, wares, or property of a commercial nature are mounted or affixed to the manufacturer’s box; this shall not include campers, camper shells, or mounted tool boxes; or

(3) The standard bed of the vehicle has been replaced with a utility or stake bed; or

(4) The vehicle has been modified to include a rack extending over the length of the manufacturer’s box which currently has goods, wares, or property of a commercial nature stored; or

(5) Advertising, business logos, or other markings are affixed to the vehicle, not including the front driver and passenger’s door, which are of a business or commercial nature.

(b) Motor vehicles commonly referred to as “vans,” meeting the definition of Section 260 of the California Vehicle Code and displaying a commercial license plate per Section 5000(b) of the California Vehicle Code unless:

(1) The vehicle has been modified to include a rack extending over the length of the vehicle’s body which currently has goods, wares, or property of a commercial nature stored; or

(2) Advertising, business logos, or markings are affixed to the vehicle, not including the front driver and passenger’s door, that are of a business or commercial nature.

(c) Any commercial vehicle that is actively being loaded or unloaded, making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, or merchandise from, or to, any building or structure or land may park for a period not to exceed two hours in one day.

(d) Any commercial vehicle parked on a public street, or highway; when used in an actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure; or to perform repairs of an emergency nature on the motor vehicle itself, or when such vehicle is parked in connection with, or in aid of the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked, may park for a maximum of 12 hours in one day, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

(e) Passenger buses under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission of the State.

(Ord. No. 295, §§ 3-10.02, 3-10.03, 1975; Ord. No. 542, § 1-D, 1985; Ord. No. 963, § 1, 2009)

It is unlawful at any time for any person to stop, stand, or park any trailer on any street in the City, excepting:

(a) The parking of trailers attached to motorized vehicles for loading and unloading purposes during daylight hours; and

(b) The parking of trailers detached from motorized vehicles for a temporary period of two hours or less.

(Ord. No. 295 § 3-11.01, Art. 3-11, Ch. 3, 1975, Ord. No. 609, § 1, 1987)

(Ord. No. 295, §§ 3-12.01—3-12.04, Art. 3-12, Ch. 3, 1975; repealed by Ord. No. 599, § 2)

It shall be unlawful for any person, unless authorized by the City, to paint any street or curb surface; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the painting of numbers on a curb surface by any person who has complied with the provisions of any official action of the City pertaining thereto.

(Ord. No. 295, § 3-3.02, Art. 3-3, Ch. 3, 1975)

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

"On-street parking"

shall mean vehicle parking on public ways.

"Off-street parking facility"

shall mean any publicly or privately-owned parking lot or facility located off the public way for the express purpose of providing vehicular parking.

"Persons with a disability"

shall mean persons with a physical and/or mental impairment that qualifies as a disability under State or Federal law.

(b) Establishment of on-street parking spaces. The Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to designate parking spaces for the exclusive use of persons with a disability whose vehicles display a distinguishing license plate or placard issued to persons with a disability, pursuant to Section 22511.5 of the Vehicle Code, or to disabled veterans, as specified in Section 9105 of the Vehicle Code. Such parking spaces shall conform to State and Federal requirements.

(c) Establishment of off-street parking spaces.

(1) The Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to designate spaces in publicly-owned or leased off-street parking facilities for the exclusive use of persons with a disability whose vehicles display a distinguishing license plate or placard issued to persons with a disability, pursuant to Section 22511.5 of the Vehicle Code, or to disabled veterans, as specified in Section 9105 of the Vehicle Code.

Such designation shall be made by posting a sign immediately adjacent to and visible from each stall or space that conforms to State and Federal requirements.

(2) The Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to designate spaces in privately-owned and maintained off-street parking facilities generally held open for the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular parking for the exclusive use of persons with a disability whose vehicles display a distinguishing license plate or placard issued to persons with a disability, pursuant to Section 22511.5 of the Vehicle Code, or to disabled veterans, as specified in Section 9105 of the Vehicle Code.

Such designation shall be made by posting a sign immediately adjacent to and visible from each stall or space that conforms to State and Federal requirements.

Pursuant to Section 21107.8 of the Vehicle Code, the provisions of Section 22507.8 of the Vehicle Code hereby are made applicable to the aforesaid off-street parking facilities.

The provisions of this subsection (c)(2)shall not be effective unless the owner and operator of the off-street parking facilities described causes to be posted in a conspicuous place at each entrance to such off-street parking facility a sign stating that the facility is subject to public traffic regulations and control in compliance with Section 21107.8(b) of the Vehicle Code. The owner and operator of the privately-owned and maintained off-street parking facilities shall be responsible for posting signs and painting stalls for handicapped usage and for maintaining such facilities.

(3) There may also be posted immediately adjacent to and visible from each space a sign which clearly and conspicuously states the following:

When such a sign is posted, the Traffic Engineer shall cause the specific sign information to be completed and maintained to set forth the following:

(i) The complete name, address, and telephone number of the place where the vehicle may be reclaimed; and

(ii) The applicable name and telephone number of the local law enforcement agency.

(Ord. No. 443, § 2, 1982; Ord. No. 1102, § 3, 2022)

(a) Locations. The Council shall designate parking zones for physically handicapped persons.

(b) Curb markings. Parking zones for physically handicapped persons shall be indicated by blue paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

(c) Obedience. No operator of any vehicle or person riding any horse shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle or horse within any parking zone for physically handicapped persons contrary to the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 450, § 2, 1982)

(a) Locations. The Council shall designate time limited parking zones.

(b) Markings. Time limited parking zones, such as for one hour, two hours, and the like, shall be indicated by appropriate signs and/or by green paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

(c) Obedience. No operator of any vehicle or any person riding any horse shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle or horse within any time limited parking zone contrary to the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 485, § 2, 1983)

(a) No person shall park and leave standing upon any public street or highway within the City of San Juan Capistrano any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in excess of 25 feet in length, or having a width in excess of 90 inches as measured at the widest portion of the body, not including mirrors or other extensions, or a weight in excess of 10,000 pounds.

(b) Prohibited vehicles may be parked on public streets or highway when such vehicle is parked in connection with, or in aid of the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked; or to perform repairs of an emergency nature on the motor vehicle itself, for a maximum of 12 hours.

(c) Prohibited vehicles may be parked on public streets, or highway while loading or unloading persons and/or property. Loading or unloading as used in this section shall mean active loading or unloading, including the performance of those activities required to prepare the vehicle for either travel or storage, and shall not exceed a period of two hours during which the vehicle cannot reasonably be taken on the road or moved to a place of otherwise lawful storage.

(d) Recreational Vehicles (RV), as defined by Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, may be issued an RV Temporary Parking Permit allowing up to 48 hours of parking within 300 feet of the address at which the RV Temporary Parking Permit was issued. A maximum of 12 round-trip Temporary RV Parking Permits may be issued per residential address per calendar year. For the purposes of this subsection, a round-trip RV Temporary Parking Permit shall mean one forty-eight (48) hour permit for loading of the RV and one forty-eight (48) hour permit for unloading of the RV. An RV Temporary Parking Permit may be obtained free of charge by contacting the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at the San Juan Capistrano Police Services Office by providing the following information: the date and time of the on-street parking for the purposes of loading will begin; the date and time of the on-street parking for the purposes of unloading will begin; the name and address of the person requesting the RV Temporary Parking Permit; a description of the RV. An RV Temporary Parking Permit may be revoked upon violation of any other section of the California Vehicle Code or San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code. The provisions of this section shall not apply to “commercial vehicles” as defined by Section 260 of the California Vehicle Code.

(§ 1, Ord. 864; Ord. No. 962, § 1, 12-1-2009)