Tulare Municipal Code Ch. 9.48 Standing, Stopping, Parking

It shall be unlawful to park or permit to stand, parallel with the curb line and behind parked cars, any vehicle on:

(A) K Street, from the north line of Inyo Street to the south line of King Street;

(B) J Street, from the north line of Inyo Street to the south line of King Street;

(C) Tulare Street, from the east line of J Street to the west line of M Street;

(D) Kern Street, from the east line of J Street to the west line of M Street;

(E) Inyo Street, from the west line of J Street to the west line of M Street; and

(F) Such other streets as the Chief of Police, with the approval of the Manager may, from time to time, designate.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.010)

No person shall park any vehicle with trailer attached within the congested business district in the city.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.020)

No person shall park any vehicle for displaying it for sale on any street inside the fire limits of the city, as described by this code.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.030)

No person shall repair or perform mechanical work upon any vehicle on any street within the city.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.040)

This chapter shall not apply to any vehicle of the Tulare Police or Fire Department, large commercial vehicles under contract with the Tulare Police Department's Tow Service Agreement or Tow Service Agreement with any other public agency, or to vehicles of any regularly licensed physician when actually engaged in making professional calls. Large commercial vehicles under contract with the Tulare Police Department's Tow Service or Tow Service Agreement with any other agency shall be allowed to park in residential areas from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. only and shall be parked in a matter so to not impede traffic line of sight or parked so as to not create a traffic hazard as determined by the Chief of Police or their designee in consultation with the City Engineer.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.060) (Ord. 2022-12, passed 9-20-2022)

The “congested district” is hereby described as follows:

(A) North-south streets. The east and west sides of J, K, and L Streets from the north line of Inyo Street to the south line of King Street; and

(B) East-west streets. The north and south sides of Tulare, Kern and Inyo Streets from the east line of J Street to the west line of L Street.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.070)

(A) Green curb marking shall mean no standing or parking for a period of time longer than 20 minutes at any time between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day except Sunday and legal holidays.

(B) When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the Chief of Police to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation thereof.

(Ord. 19-13, passed 1-7-2020)

It shall be unlawful to park, stand or leave any vehicle for any period of time whatever in excess of ten minutes upon the north side of Tulare Street in front of the United States Post Office, located on the street.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.090)

(A) At the end of the periods of time allowed in this chapter for parking, the vehicles shall be moved; and, for the period of one hour after the moving, it shall be unlawful for the person in charge of the vehicle to allow the same to stand within 20 feet of the position occupied by the vehicle immediately prior to the moving.

(B) The prohibitions of §§ 9.48.070 through 9.48.090 shall not apply to any licensed physician, Fire Department vehicle or police vehicle in active use.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.100)

It shall be unlawful for the owner or driver of any vehicle to allow a vehicle to remain standing longer than 30 minutes between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. upon any public parking lot owned or operated by the city.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.110)

(A) Definitions.

(1) This section shall apply to commercial vehicles of more than two-ton capacity commonly described as a truck, truck trailer, trailer, semi or tractor.

(2) For purposes of this section, a RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT shall be any such district as established and identified pursuant to Tulare City zoning, set forth in Title 10 of this city code.

(B) Parking requirements in general.

(1) No commercial vehicle shall be left to idle for longer than five minutes, nor blow air horns.

(2) No commercial vehicle shall have cargo transferred from such commercial vehicle to another within a residential district or on any public street, highway, alley or other public right-of-way.

(3) No refrigeration unit shall be operated on any commercial vehicle parked or left standing within 300 feet of any residence.

(4) Commercial vehicles used for the transportation of hazardous waste, materials, or garbage, or which harbor vermin or pestilence, or which emit noxious or noisome odors, shall not be parked or stored within 300 feet of a residential district.

(C) Street parking.

(1) (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave, park or allow to be parked any commercial vehicle, whether attended or unattended, within any residential district. This prohibition shall apply regardless of whether the commercial vehicle is located on the public street, highway or alley, or on private property within the residential district.

(b) Exceptions.

1. During the first 24 hours during which the vehicle is mechanically disabled;

2. While a commercial vehicle is making a pick-up or delivery of materials or goods to or from any building or site.

(2) No commercial vehicle shall be parked or left standing on any public street or right-of-way unless it is a minimum of 12 feet from the centerline of the street, or such that a minimum of 12 feet is provided per lane if more than one lane, and under no circumstances shall be parked in any travel lanes.

(3) No commercial vehicle shall be parked or left standing on any street or right-of-way in such a manner that obstructs a designated bike lane or pedestrian path of travel.

(4) No commercial vehicle shall be parked or left standing within 100 feet of any street intersection, or in a manner that obstructs the visibility of an official traffic control device to such a degree that the Police Chief or his or her designee determines that it constitutes a traffic safety hazard.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.120) (Ord. 2020-06, passed 7-7-2020; Ord. 96-1779, passed - -1996)

Editor’s note:

For the most recent fee, please see the Rates and Fees Resolution passed by the city and on file in the city offices.

No person shall park or stop any vehicle for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials in any alley. No stop for the loading of passengers shall be for more than three minutes, nor for the loading or unloading of materials for more than 30 minutes in any alley. All vehicles so parked or stopped in any alley shall be parked or stopped facing in the proper direction for legal traffic in any such alley, and on the right side thereof. No vehicle shall be parked or stopped in such a manner as to obstruct the passage of any vehicle.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.130)

(A) When authorized signs have been determined by the Chief of Police to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of any day except Sundays and legal holidays for a period of time longer than one hour.

(B) When authorized signs have been determined by the Chief of Police to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of any day except Saturday(s), Sunday(s), and legal holidays for a period of time longer than two hours.

(C) When authorized signs have been determined by the Chief of Police to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of any day except Saturday(s), Sunday(s), and legal holidays for a period of time longer than three hours.

(D) When authorized signs have been determined by the Chief of Police to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of any day except Saturday(s), Sunday(s), and legal holidays for a period of time longer than four hours.

(Ord. 19-13, passed 1-7-2020)

All restricted parking adopted under the provisions of this chapter, or designated by the Chief of Police, with the approval of the Manager, insofar as the same are intended to be effective on streets within the city which are also highways within the state and subject to the jurisdiction of the Division of the Highways of the state, shall become effective only after the approval of the Department of Public Works of the state. All of the restrictions shall cease to be effective six months after the approval though once given has been withdrawn and notice of the withdrawal has been given to the Manager.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.150)

Any regularly employed and salaried officer of the Police Department may remove or cause to be removed:

(A) Any vehicle that has been parked or left standing upon a street or highway for 72 or more consecutive hours; and

(B) Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway where the use of the street or highway or a portion thereof is necessary for the cleaning, repairing or construction of the street or highway or for 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 the vehicle would prohibit or interfere with the use or movement; provided that signs giving notice that the vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.160)

In exercise of his or her power to regulate and control traffic upon, and the movement and standing of vehicles upon the streets of the city, the Chief of Police, following consultation with the City Engineer and subject to the approval of the City Manager, is hereby authorized to establish and enforce the following parking zones and spaces, and to designate the zones and spaces by proper markings:

(A) Red Zone: no parking.

(B) Green Zone: parking restricted to a specified length of time.

(C) Yellow Zone: parking restricted to the loading and unloading of passengers or freight.

(D) White Zone: parking restricted to loading and unloading of passengers.

(E) Blue Zone: parking limited to the use of handicapped drivers and/or passengers.

(F) Restricted Time Zone: prohibition of parking during a specified time period.

(G) Restricted Use Zone: prohibition of the parking of designated types of vehicles.

(H) Temporary Restriction Zone: prohibition or limitation of parking during emergencies, special events or unusual circumstances.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.170)

It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle across any line or marking, placed upon the curb or street adjacent to the curb designating a parking space, or to park a vehicle in such position that the same shall not be entirely within the space designated by the lines or markings.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.180)

(A) No parking in school zones. It shall be unlawful and constitute an infraction to park any vehicle upon any street, avenue or lane, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, on days when school is in session, within any area in the city that has been designated a school zone parking area and has been posted with a sign with the words “NO PARKING WHILE SCHOOL IN SESSION” pursuant to a resolution of the City Council.

(B) Permit parking exemption. A motor vehicle on which is displayed a valid parking permit as provided for in this section, shall be permitted to stand or be parked in the school zone parking area for which the permit has been issued. The motor vehicle shall not be exempt from parking restrictions or prohibitions established pursuant to authority other than this section. All other motor vehicles parked within a school zone parking area shall be subject to the no parking restriction set forth in this section. A parking permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder thereof an on-street parking space within the designated school zone parking area.

(C) Parking permits.

(1) Parking permits shall be issued by the Finance Director/City Clerk. Each such permit shall state the address and license number of the motor vehicle for which it is issued. No more than one parking permit shall be issued for each motor vehicle for which application is made. Parking permits shall be valid for the duration of the residency of the permittee and while the permittee retains ownership of the vehicle for which the parking permit was issued. The City Manager is authorized to issue such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this section, governing the manner in which persons shall qualify for parking permits.

(2) Parking permits may be issued for motor vehicles only upon application of the following persons:

(a) A resident of a school zone parking area who has a motor vehicle registered in his or her name, or who has a motor vehicle for his or her exclusive use and under his or her control;

(b) A person who owns or leases commercial property and actively engages in business activity within a school zone parking area. However, no more than one parking permit may be issued for each business establishment for a motor vehicle registered to or under the control of such a person;

(c) A resident of the school zone parking area for display upon a rented motor vehicle; provided that no such permit shall be valid for more than seven days from date of issuance or renewal thereof; and

(d) A resident of a school zone parking area for use by bona fide transient visitors therein. Such a visitor permit shall provide all the rights and privileges of a regular permit. A visitor permit shall be valid for one calendar month and shall expire on the last day of each month. No resident of a school zone parking area shall be issued more than one visitor permit at any one time.

(D) Additional parking permits.

(1) The Finance Director/City Clerk is authorized upon application to issue additional parking permits to resident of a school zone parking area for use of persons who, on a regular basis, provide health care or other related services essential to the well being of the resident applicant, upon the certification under penalty of perjury by a licensed physician that such services are required. No resident of a school zone parking area shall be authorized to possess more than three additional parking permits at any one time. The City Manager may issue rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this section, governing the manner in which persons shall qualify for this permit.

(2) The fee for a parking permit shall be $5. A parking permit shall be valid for the duration of the residency of the permittee and while the permittee retains ownership of the vehicle for which the parking permit was issued. There shall be a $1 transfer charge for those applicants with permits in one school zone parking area who move to another school zone parking area and apply for a permit in the new area of residence. The fee for a rental car permit shall be $1. The fee for a visitor permit shall be $2.

(3) The Finance Director/City Clerk is authorized to revoke the parking permit of any person found to be in violation of this section and, upon written notification thereof, the person shall surrender the permit to the Finance Director/City Clerk.

(E) Posting. Upon the adoption by the City Council of a resolution designating a school parking area, the Director of Public Works/City Engineer shall cause appropriate signs to be erected in the area, reading as follows: “NO PARKING WHILE SCHOOL IN SESSION”.

(F) Display of permits. Permits shall be displayed in a manner determined by the Chief of Police.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.190)

Editor’s note:

For the most recent fee, please see the Rates and Fees Resolution passed by the city and on file in the city offices.

It shall be unlawful to park or leave standing any vehicle in parking zones or spaces, in violation of the restrictions, established pursuant to § 9.48.170.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.200)

(A) Title. It is unlawful and constitutes an infraction to park any vehicle upon any street, avenue, lane or alley, from time to time, day to day, within any area in the city that has been designated a commercial limited parking area and has been posted with a sign with the words “Limited Parking Except By Permit” pursuant to a resolution of the City Council, unless the non-permit parking conforms with the non-permit parking restrictions posted in the area.

(B) Permit parking exemption. A motor vehicle on which is displayed a valid parking permit as provided for in this section, shall be permitted to stand or be parked in the commercial limited parking area for which the permit has been issued. The motor vehicle shall not be exempt from parking restrictions or prohibitions established pursuant to authority other than this section. All other motor vehicles parked within the commercial limited parking area shall be subject to the non-permit parking restriction posted in the area. A parking permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder thereof an on-street parking space within the designated commercial limited parking area.

(C) Parking permits.

(1) Parking permits shall be issued by the Finance Director/City Clerk. Each such permit shall state the address and license number of the motor vehicle for which it is issued. No more than one parking permit shall be issued for each motor vehicle for which application is made. Parking permits shall be valid only so long as the permittee works at a commercial establishment located within the designated commercial limited parking area and while the permittee retains ownership of the vehicle for which the parking permit was issued. The City Manager is authorized to issue such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this section, governing the manner in which persons shall qualify for parking permits.

(2) Parking permits may be issued for motor vehicles only upon application of the following persons:

(a) One who is employed by a commercial establishment located within a designated commercial limited parking area who has a motor vehicle registered in his or her name, or who has a motor vehicle for his or her exclusive use and under his or her control;

(b) A person who owns or leases commercial property and actively engages in business activity within a commercial limited parking area; and

(c) No more than one parking permit may be issued for each commercial establishment for a motor vehicle registered to or under the control of such a person, provided that any religious facility located in such an area may be entitled to two permits.

(3) The fee for a parking shall be $5. A parking permit shall be valid for the duration of the time a permittee is employed by or owns an interest in a commercial establishment located within the designated commercial limited parking area.

(4) The Finance Director/City Clerk is authorized to revoke the parking permit of any person found to be in violation of this section and, upon written notification thereof, the person shall surrender the permit to the Finance Director/City Clerk.

(D) Posting. Upon the adoption by the City Council of a resolution designating a commercial limited parking area, the Director of Public Works/City Engineer shall cause appropriate signs to be erected in the area, reading as follows: “Limited Parking Except by Permit”.

(E) Display of permits. Permits shall be displayed in a manner determined by the Chief of Police.

(1995 Code, § 9.48.210) (Ord. 96-1778, passed - -1996)

Editor’s note:

For the most recent fee, please see the Rates and Fees Resolution passed by the city and on file in the city offices.