Sonora Municipal Code § 10.08 Parking and Standing

Footnotes:

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State Law reference— For statutory provisions authorizing cities to restrict of prohibit parking on certain street, see Vehicle Code §§ 22507 and 22508; for statutory provisions on parking meter zones, see Vehicle Code § 22508.

This chapter is intended to apply to all traffic using the public streets. Included in this chapter, by implication, in addition to automobiles, are horses, wagons, trailers, trucks and all other vehicles which use the streets.

(Ord. 490 § 14, 1975.)

All parking regulations under this chapter apply to any vehicle operated on the streets of the city by any person or owned by any agency or corporation. The only exception is that a police or fire vehicle may be parked in violation of a parking zone while employed on an urgent call in the conduct of assigned duties.

(Ord. 490 § 6, 1975.)

A. All vehicles parked within the city shall be parked so that they conform to the provisions of the California Vehicle Code regarding the parking of vehicles. Included specifically is the provision that vehicles shall be left no further than eighteen inches from the curb when parked parallel to the flow of traffic and no more than eighteen inches from the front of a marked stall in a city lot.

B. The city shall mark parking stalls both on streets and in public lots. When such stalls are marked, no vehicle shall be parked in such a way that it is outside or takes up more than one such marked stall. Violation of this subsection is an infraction punishable by a fine of up to fifty dollars.

C. In city parking lots, all cars shall be headed into the stalls, and it is an infraction to back into the stall, punishable by a fine of up to fifty dollars.

(Ord. 490 § 12, 1975.)

The following parking classifications are created:

Zone A—Unclassified. A vehicle may remain parked in an unclassified zone for as long as permitted by state law unless or until it is declared abandoned. Except, however, no trailers or disconnected vehicles from towing vehicles shall remain parked for longer than forty-eight hours. Vehicles so parked must be placed within eighteen inches from a curb or in other ways to conform to the lawful manner for leaving a vehicle.

Zone B—No Overnight Parking. A vehicle may be left in this zone for up to eighteen hours. Parking is prohibited between two a.m. and five a.m. of any day. This zone may exist concurrently with any other parking zone.

Zone C—Four-hour Parking. A vehicle may be parked in this zone for up to four hours without movement.

Zone D—Three-hour Parking. A vehicle may be parked in this zone for up to three hours without movement.

Zone E—Two-hour Parking. A vehicle may be parked in this zone for up to two hours without movement.

Zone F—One-hour Parking. A vehicle may be parked in this zone for up to one hour without movement.

Zone G—Attended Parking. A vehicle may be stopped in this zone for short time periods so long as the operator is in nearby attendance only. This zone is intended for loading and unloading passengers and freight. It may also accommodate taxis.

Zone H—Emergency Vehicle Parking Only. Only emergency vehicles of the police or fire services may park in this zone. All other parking is prohibited.

Zone I—All Parking is Prohibited. No vehicle may be parked or left unattended or stopped in this zone. Vehicles found parked in this zone are subject to immediate impoundment.

Zone J—Fire Hydrant Keep Clear Area. No vehicle may park so as to obstruct access by the fire department to any fire hydrant. The chief engineer may cause an area ten feet in width, measured from the center line of the fire hydrant to be clearly marked either in red paint or with the words "Fire Hydrant Keep Clear."

Zone K—Bus Parking Only. Only commercial buses may park in this zone. All other parking is prohibited.

Zone L—Permit Parking Only. Permits are issued by the city to individuals for a fee set by the city council. No vehicle may park in a "Permit Parking Only" space unless the proper fee has been paid and a permit has been issued by the city. Vehicles found parked in this zone without the proper permit are subject to immediate impoundment.

Zone M—Prohibited Parking—School Zones. No parking shall be permitted in any school zone between the hours of seven a.m. and four p.m. on days when school is in session.

Zone N—Parking is prohibited between three a.m. to five a.m., on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, except for holidays.

A violation of this section is an infraction and punishable by a fine as set by Resolution 12-20-10-A, titled Parking Fines.

(Ord. 728 § 1, 1997; Ord. 720, 1997: Ord. 717 § 1, 1996; Ord. 644 (part), 1988; Ord. 567,1982; Ord. 523 § 1, 1978; Ord. 490 § 1, 1975.; Amended by Ord. 836 on 2/1/2016)

From time to time, as needed, the city council by special resolution shall declare an area or length of roadway to be a part of a parking zone. In order to be part of a parking zone, the following procedure shall be followed:

A. The council shall announce, at a regular or special meeting, its intention to establish a parking zone, giving the description of the limits of the proposed zone and the zone classification.

B. As soon thereafter as is convenient, the notice of intent to establish a parking zone shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

C. Not more than thirty days nor less than five days following the date of such publication, at either a regular or special meeting, the council may adopt a resolution establishing a parking zone. The adopted resolution must conform exactly to the notice which was published.

D. Once adopted, the parking resolution shall be numbered and retained in a file of such resolutions. The city clerk shall be charged with keeping this file in an orderly manner, and shall make the resolutions available to the public.

E. Resolutions shall be effective indefinitely or until changed by the same procedure outlined above.

F. Except for the areas designated as Zone A, all parking zones shall be clearly marked by signs of approximately eight feet in height. Such marking shall indicate the limits of permitted parking, and shall clearly designate the boundaries of a zone. While a parking zone may be established upon the adoption of a resolution, enforcement action shall not be taken until the zone is marked.

G. In addition to signs, generally accepted curb markings may be used to designate zones. Red paint on a curb may designate Zones H and I, while green or yellow paint may be used to designate Zone G. If the zone is clearly marked with these colors, or if directions are painted on the zone in other colors, the zone will be deemed to be properly marked, and the resolution will be effective.

H. Zones shall be changed in the same manner as established. When a zone is changed, the clerk shall remove or modify those portions of the file showing the previous designation, so that the file at all times reflects the current parking regulations.

(Ord. 490 § 2, 1975.)

In a period of extreme traffic conditions, or for any other declared emergency, the chief of police or the fire chief may alter a parking zone. Such alteration shall be effective for the duration of the problem or emergency which prompted the change. An officer in attendance shall have the power to verbally inform vehicle operators of a zone change, or signs indicating a temporary zone change may be posted. If signs are used, they shall bear the designation "Temporary" or "Emergency." It is unlawful for a vehicle operator to disregard the directions given him by a police or fire officer regarding an emergency zone change. Such a violation is a misdemeanor.

(Ord. 490 § 3, 1975.)

During roadway or other major construction which impairs the flow of traffic, the superintendent of streets shall be allowed to change a parking zone for the duration of such construction. Such change shall be accomplished by appropriate posting. Any such change shall be valid for a period not exceeding thirty days.

(Ord. 490 § 4, 1975.)

The city council may, for special events or for holiday periods, modify any parking zone by special parking resolution. Such resolutions do not need to be published, and shall be effective upon passage for the holiday or special events. If the council declares that a street shall have no parking for an event, then the establishment of a no parking zone shall be effective only after the street has been posted for at least twenty-four hours prior to the event.

(Ord. 490 § 5, 1975.)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, it is unlawful to park and occupy a trailer, house-car or motor home on the streets of the city for an overnight period. Camping on the public streets is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.

(Ord. 490 § 13, 1975.)

Any vehicle parked in Zones B through L is subject to being towed away and stored and ultimately disposed of according to law. If a vehicle is left unattended in Zones B through F for more than twenty-four hours, it may be towed. Unattended vehicles in Zones G through L may be towed as soon as detected. Further, regardless of zone, any vehicle may be towed if it constitutes a hazard to the health or safety of the citizens of the city.

Cars so towed shall be removed by a commercial towing company and stored in a safe place. They shall be restored to the registered owner upon the payment of all fees for towing and storage costs. The city council shall, by resolution, establish a fee which the city shall charge for towing and storage. Such fees shall be determined by the actual costs of towing and storage. Any police officer of the city is authorized to institute towaway procedures under this chapter.

(Ord. 721, 1997; Ord. 490 § 9, 1975.)

By resolution according to the procedure outlines in subsections A through E of Section 10.08.050, the city council shall establish a fee schedule for the use of the clerk of the court. This schedule shall be renewed once each year, and shall set forth amounts to be deposited for violations within the various parking zones.

(Ord. 490 § 8, 1975.)

Parking a vehicle in violation of this chapter shall result in a two-step procedure of enforcement. The chief of police or a person designated by him shall place a citation to appear on the vehicle which is illegally parked. The registered owner of the vehicle shall have a period of twenty-four hours to appear before the justice court having jurisdiction over the city. At that time, the owner may deposit with the clerk of the court a sum specified by resolution. If such deposit is made, no further enforcement action shall be taken.

If no such appearance is made, or if the person does appear and demands further proceedings, then a complaint will be issued and the matter disposed of according to law.

(Ord. 490 § 7 (part), 1975.)

A. It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in violation of the rules of a parking zone. Unless an officer observes a driver in violation of the rules of a parking zone, it shall be assumed that the registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for parking the vehicle. In the event that an officer observes a driver in violation, both the observed operator and registered owner shall be liable under this chapter.

B. Except as otherwise specified, violations of this chapter are infractions, punishable by a maximum fine of fifty dollars. In addition to this penalty, as specified in Section 10.08.220, the registered owner shall be responsible for the expenses of towing and storing any impounded vehicle.

(Ord. 490 § 7 (part), 1975.)

A. Privately owned and maintained off-street parking facilities on which Vehicle Code Sections 22350, 22507.8, 23103 and 23109 may be enforced, pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 21107.8 shall be designated by resolution of the council, following a duly noticed public hearing.

B. The private parking facilities so designated are generally held open for use of the public for purposes of vehicular parking.

C. The owner or operator of each designated private parking facility shall cause to be posted in a conspicuous place at each entrance to such facility a notice, not less than seventeen by twenty-two inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height, to the effect that such facility is subject to the public traffic regulations and control detailed in Vehicle Code Section 21107.8.

(Ord. 547 § 1, 1980.)

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, park, or leave standing (whether attended or unattended) a vehicle for any period of time in a stall or space designated for disabled-person parking, unless:

1. The vehicle is currently displaying either a disabled-person license plate or a valid placard; and

2. The vehicle, at that time, is operated by or used to transport a disabled person who is within a reasonable proximity of the car parked in a stall or space designated for a disabled person.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct, block, or otherwise prevent, or hinder access to disabled-person's parking stall or space.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, park, or leave standing (whether attended or unattended) any vehicle, for any period of time, including a vehicle displaying disabled persons license plates or a placard, in either of the following places:

1. On the lines marking the boundaries of a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons.

2. In any area of the pavement adjacent to a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons that is marked by crosshatched lines.

D. This section shall apply to; all public off-street parking lots, all disabled-person parking stalls or spaces on city streets, any privately owned and maintained off- street parking lots, which are properly marked pursuant to Section 10.08.240.

E. A violation of this section is an infraction, punishable by a fine as set by the latest parking violation fine resolution.

(Adopted by Ord. 819 on 7/21/2014)