Torrance Municipal Code Art. 12 Oversized Vehicles and Trailers

The following definitions will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this Article:

"Oversized Vehicle" shall mean any vehicle, as defined by Section 670 of the California Vehicle Code, or combination of vehicles, which exceeds twenty (20) feet in length, seven (7) feet in width, or eight (8) feet in height, exclusive of projecting lights or devices allowed by Section 35109 or 35110 of the California Vehicle Code, as may be amended. Oversized Vehicle does not include pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles, which are less than twenty-five (25) feet in length and eighty-two (82) inches in height.

"Trailer" shall mean a trailer, semitrailer, camp trailer (including tent trailers), unmounted camper, or trailer coach as defined in Sections 242, 243, 550, 630, 635, and 636 of the California Vehicle Code, or fifth-wheel travel trailer, as defined in Section 324 of the Vehicle Code.

(Amended by O-3871; O-3901)

a) No person shall park or leave standing any oversized vehicle upon any public street or highway in the City.

b) No person shall park or leave standing any trailer, regardless of length or width, upon any public street or highway in the City.

c) No person shall park or leave standing any oversized vehicle upon any parking lot at any City park, airport, civic center, regional transit center, or any other City-owned parking lot.

d) No person shall park or leave standing any trailer, regardless of length or width, upon any parking lot at any City park, airport, civic center, regional transit center, or any other City-owned parking lot.

The prohibitions contained in Section 61.12.020 shall not apply to any of the following:

a) Oversized Vehicles or Trailers for which an Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit has been issued for a resident or an out-of-town visitor, in accordance with Section 61.12.050

b) Any Oversized Vehicle or Trailers displaying a valid Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permit issued pursuant to Section 61.12.090

c) Oversized Vehicles or Trailers parked or left standing as a result of a mechanical breakdown so as to allow the performance of emergency repairs on the vehicle for a period not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours;

d) Commercial vehicles making pickups or delivery of goods, wares or merchandise, or while providing services to a residence, including, but not limited to, yard maintenance, pool care and maintenance, repair and construction services;

e) Tow trucks and similar vehicles that are in the course of providing services;

f) Public or utility vehicles and trailers that are in the course of providing services;

g) Any public emergency vehicle.

a) Each person registering an Oversized Vehicle or Trailer with the City must file with the City a completed application containing the following:

1. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

2. The name, address, and phone number of the applicant for the permit;

3. Proof of residency:

a) Acceptable proof of residency must be current and must include the following:

California Driver’s License or California Identification Card and one of the following:

Property Tax Bill or Public Utility Bill (telephone bills are not acceptable);

4. The registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles for the Oversized Vehicle or Trailer that shows the Oversized Vehicle or Trailer is registered in the City of Torrance;

5. The license number, make, and model of designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

6. Additional information the Police Department may require;

The applicant must sign the application under penalty of perjury.

b) The City will issue Oversized Vehicle Resident Registration Stickers to people who meet the requirements listed above. The Oversized Vehicle Resident Registration Stickers will be displayed on the street side of the bumper of an Oversized Vehicle or the bumper area of a Trailer so it is clearly visible from the street, which is usually the left side.

Oversized Vehicle Resident Registration Stickers will be issued upon payment of a fee that will be set by resolution of the City Council.

a) The purpose of authorizing the issuance of Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits is to give owners of Oversized Vehicles and Trailers the opportunity, for a limited time, to park the Oversized Vehicle or Trailer on a public street or highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) their residence, and to allow an out-of-town visitor who owns an Oversized Vehicle or Trailer to park on a public street or highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) the residence which the out-of-town visitor is visiting for a limited time period.

b) A resident with an Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit who does not park their Oversized Vehicle or Trailer on a public street or highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) their residence will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

c) An out-of-town visitor with an Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit who does not park their Oversized Vehicle or Trailer on a public street or highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) the residence which the out-of-town visitor is visiting will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

a) This subsection shall apply to Oversized Vehicles and Trailers that are registered with the City of Torrance.

1. The Police Chief or designee, is authorized to issue Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits, pursuant to the following:

A) Each person desiring an Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit shall file with the Torrance Police Department a completed City application form containing the following:

1. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

2. The name, address, and phone number of the applicant for the permit;

3. Proof of residency:

1. Acceptable proof of residency must be current and must include the following:

California Driver’s License or California Identification Card and one of the following:

Property Tax Bill or Public Utility Bill (telephone bills are not acceptable);

4. The registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles for the Oversized Vehicle or Trailer that shows the Oversized Vehicle or Trailer is registered in the City of Torrance;

5. The license number, make, and model of designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

6. The dates for which the permit is requested;

7. The dates and duration of any and all Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits issued to the applicant within the immediately preceding ninety (90) day period;

8. Additional information the Police Department may require;

9. The applicant must sign the application under penalty of perjury.

2. Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits issued and approved by the Police Department shall include the license plate number of the designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer, the date of issuance, and the day of its expiration.

3. Permits shall be displayed in the lower driver’s side of the windshield or nearest window of the Oversized Vehicle for which it has been issued so that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Permits shall be displayed on the side of the Trailer for which it has been issued so that it is visible from the street, which is usually the left side of the Trailer.

4. The Police Chief or his designee is authorized to set up an oversized vehicle parking permit call-in phone number or internet processing system.

b) This subsection shall apply to Oversized Vehicles and Trailers that are not registered with the City (out-of-town visitor permits).

1. The Police Chief or designee, is authorized to issue Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits, pursuant to the following:

2. Each person desiring an Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit shall file with the Torrance Police Department a completed City application form containing the following:

A) The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

B) The name, address, and phone number of the applicant for the permit;

C) The registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, or equivalent agency in another state, for the Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

D) The name, address, and phone number of the resident that is being visited;

E) The license number, make, and model of designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer;

F) The dates for which the permit is requested;

G) The dates and duration of any and all Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits issued to the applicant during the current calendar year;

H) The dates and duration of any and all Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits issued to the resident being visited during the current calendar year;

I) Additional information the Police Department may require;

J) The applicant must sign the application under penalty of perjury;

K) Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits issued and approved by the Police Department shall include the license plate number of the designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer, the date of issuance, and the day of its expiration.

3. Permits shall be displayed in the lower driver’s side of the windshield or nearest window of the Oversized Vehicle for which it has been issued so that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle. Permits shall be displayed on the side of the Trailer for which it has been issued so that it is visible from the street, which is usually the left side of the Trailer.

4. The Police Chief or his designee is authorized to set up an Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit call-in phone number or internet processing system.

a) For Oversized Vehicles and Trailers registered with the City:

1. An Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours. An Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit will be valid from 12:00 P.M. one (1) day until 11:59 A.M. the next day. Upon expiration of the permit, the applicant may apply for and be granted additional Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits if the applicant still qualifies under the conditions set forth in this Article. An applicant may request no more than three (3) consecutive Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits (a total of seventy-two (72) hours of parking to load and unload) at one time. In no event shall any person residence and/or designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer be issued more than twenty-four (24) Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits within any ninety (90) day period and no more than ninety-six (96) Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits in any calendar year.

b) For Oversized Vehicles and Trailers that are not registered with the City under subsection (a) above (Out-Of-Town Visitor Permits).

1. An Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours. An Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit will be valid from 12:00 P.M. one (1) day until 11:59 A.M. the next day. Upon expiration of the permit, the applicant may apply for and be granted additional Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits if the applicant still qualifies under the conditions set forth in this Article. The Oversized Vehicle Parking Permit (Out-Of-Town Visitor Permits) will be tied to the residence being visited. An applicant may request no more than fourteen (14) consecutive Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits at one time. In no event shall any person, residence and/or designated Oversized Vehicle or Trailer be issued more than thirty (30) Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits in any calendar year.

No person shall run electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, or other items across, above or on the parkway or sidewalk from a residential or commercial property to an Oversized Vehicle or Trailer parked on a public street.

Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits will be issued upon payment of a fee that will be set by Resolution of the City Council.

a) Purpose. The purpose of authorizing the issuance of Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permits is to allow a handicapped person to park a designated oversized vehicle on a street/highway directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) their residence.

b) Requirements. In order to be eligible to receive an Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permit, the following requirements must be met:

1. The applicant must be entitled to receive a handicapped placard or license plate pursuant to the provisions of the California Vehicle Code;

2. The oversized vehicle is the only vehicle owned by the resident and is required to meet the daily transportation needs of the resident.

a) The Police Chief or designee, is authorized to issue Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permits, pursuant to the following:

1. Each person desiring an Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permit shall file with the Torrance Police Department a completed City application form containing the following:

A) The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner and applicant of designated Oversized Vehicle;

B) The license number, make, and model of designated oversized vehicle;

C) The year for which the permit is requested;

D) The years of any and all previous Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permits issued to the applicant;

E) Additional information the Police Department may require;

F) The applicant must sign the application under penalty of perjury.

2. Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permits issued and approved by the Police Department shall include the license plate number of the designated Oversized Vehicle, the date of issuance and the day of its expiration.

3. Permits shall be displayed in the lower driver’s side of the windshield or nearest window of the vehicle for which it has been issued so that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

Oversized Vehicle Handicap Parking Permits shall be valid for a period of one (1) year, so long as the holder thereof meets the requirements of this section relating to such permits. Permits may be renewed on an annual basis.

Oversized Vehicle Handicap Permits shall be issued without any fees.

A permit must be denied if the Police Chief or designee finds that:

a) The applicant or the person the applicant is visiting is not a bona fide City resident;

b) The proposed location is not on a street directly in front of (or the side of the property if it is a corner lot) the residence of the applicant or the person the applicant is visiting;

c) The out-of-town visitor is not a guest of the resident;

d) Information submitted by the applicant is materially false; or

e) If the application is for an Oversized Vehicle Handicap Permit:

1. The applicant is not entitled to receive a handicap placard or license plate under the California Vehicle Code; or

2. The Oversized Vehicle is not the applicant’s only vehicle.

(Amended by O-3871)

a) Any person who violates any provision in this Article is guilty of an infraction and will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

b) Every person who displays a fraudulent, forged, altered, or counterfeit oversized vehicle parking permit or permit number with the intent to avoid compliance with this Article is guilty of a misdemeanor.

c) Every person who displays a fraudulent, forged, altered, or counterfeit oversized vehicle handicap parking permit or permit number with the intent to avoid compliance with this Article is guilty of a misdemeanor.

d) Every person who displays a fraudulent, forged, altered, or counterfeit oversized vehicle resident registration sticker with the intent to avoid compliance with this Article is guilty of a misdemeanor.

e) Every person who forges, alters, or counterfeits an oversized vehicle parking permit, an oversized vehicle handicap parking permit, or an oversized vehicle resident registration sticker is guilty of a misdemeanor.

f) Every person who parks or leaves standing an oversized vehicle or trailer on a public street or highway without a valid oversized vehicle parking permit or a valid oversized vehicle handicap parking permit is guilty of an infraction and will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

g) Every person who parks or leaves standing an oversized vehicle or trailer on a public street or highway without a valid City of Torrance resident registration sticker, except visitors with a valid oversized vehicle parking permit, is guilty of an infraction and will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

h) Every person who parks or leaves standing an oversized vehicle or trailer upon any parking lot at any City park, airport, civic center or any other City-owned parking lot is guilty of an infraction and will be subject to citation, towing, or both.

The prohibitions in this Article shall not apply to the parking of any oversized vehicle during the pendency of any state of emergency declared to exist within the City of Torrance by the City Council.

a) The prohibitions in this Article will apply at all times, or at those times specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.

b) The time limitations on standing or parking in this Article will not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the California Vehicle Code or the Torrance Municipal Code prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.

c) Nothing in this Article will be construed to permit vehicle habitation on a public street as prohibited by Section 61.6.31 of the Torrance Municipal Code.