Chapter 10.20 — RESIDENTIAL PREFERENTIAL PARKING ZONES

Residential preferential parking zones are intended to restore and enhance the quality of life in residential neighborhoods by reducing the impact of parking associated with nearby businesses and institutional uses. The procedures and standards in this chapter are intended to provide flexibility so that the City Council may adopt by resolution, after consultation with residents and neighboring businesses and institutions, preferential parking zones that appropriately protect each neighborhood's unique characteristics. Residential preferential parking zones should be designed to accommodate nonresidential parking when this can be done while meeting the parking availability standards determined by the City to be appropriate for the zone in question. Residential preferential parking zones may be designed to reduce nonresidential parking over time to give nonresidential parkers time to find other modes of transportation or parking locations.

(Prior code § 22.125)

As hereinafter used in this chapter, the following words are defined as follows:

"Director" means the Director of Public Works.

"Dwelling unit" means a self-contained house, apartment, stock cooperative unit, or condominium unit occupied by a single household exclusively for residential purposes. These residential purposes may include lawful home occupations.

"Employee permit" means a permit issued to an employee working at a business located within an RPP Zone or as defined in an RPP Zone-specific resolution.

"Guest permit" means a permit issued to a resident on an annual basis for use by a person visiting a dwelling unit in an RPP Zone or for workers providing services such as caregiving, gardening, repair maintenance and construction, to the resident. The number of guest permits issued to residents shall be specified in administrative regulations adopted by the Director.

"Nonresident vehicle" means a vehicle operated by a person whose destination is not to a dwelling unit within the RPP Zone.

"Resident" means a natural person living in a dwelling unit in an RPP Zone.

"Residential preferential parking zone" or "RPP Zone" means a geographical area in which the City Council has established a preferential parking permit system pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22507.

"Visitor permit" means a permit issued to a resident for use by a person visiting a dwelling unit in an RPP Zone.

(Prior code § 22.126)

The City Council may designate an area as a residential preferential parking zone based upon any one or more of the following criteria:

A. That nonresident vehicles do, or may, substantially interfere with the use of on-street or alley parking spaces by neighborhood residents;

• B. That the interference by the nonresident vehicles occurs at regular and frequent intervals, either daily or weekly;

• C. That the nonresident vehicles parked in the area of the proposed zone create traffic congestion, noise, or other disruption (including shortage of parking spaces for residents and their visitors) that disrupts neighborhood life;

• D. Other alternative parking strategies are not feasible or practical.

In considering whether to create an RPP Zone, City staff shall undertake an analysis that includes, at a minimum, a narrative describing the nature and perceived source of nonresident parking impact, as well as suggested zone boundaries and hours of enforcement.

(Prior code § 22.127)

• A. Adoption of Resolution Establishing Zone. Following the completion of the procedures described in Section 10.20.030 the City Council shall hold a public hearing on a proposed resolution to establish the residential preferential parking zone. The City Council may adopt, modify, or reject the proposed resolution.

• B. Resolution. The resolution shall specify:

  1. The findings that one or more of the criteria set forth in Section 10.20.030 have been met.

  2. The term of the trial period, if applicable.

  3. The boundaries and name of the residential preferential parking zone.

  4. Hours and days of enforcement of parking regulations and other restrictions that shall be in effect for non-permit holders, such as two-hour parking limits, overnight parking limits, or "no re-parking" zones.

  5. The number of permits, if any, to be issued to merchants or other nonresidential users, which number may be scheduled to reduce over time.

  6. Resident permit rates, which shall be set by City Council resolution and will be uniform across each zone.

  7. Such other matters as the Council may deem necessary and desirable, including, but not limited to, fee rates and whether nonresidential parking permits are allowed to be issued and transferred.

• C. Permanent Adoption. Before the expiration of the trial period, if applicable, the City Council shall hold a noticed public hearing and determine whether the subject RPP Zone should be made permanent as originally adopted, modified or terminated. The City Council's action shall be in the form of a resolution.

• (Prior code § 22.128)

• A. Issuance and Fees.

  1. No permit will be issued to any applicant until that applicant has paid all of his or her outstanding parking citations, including all civil penalties and related fees.

  2. A residential parking permit may be issued for a motor vehicle if the following requirements are met:

     • a. The applicant demonstrates that he or she is currently a resident of the area for which the permit is to be issued.

     • b. The applicant demonstrates that he or she has ownership or continuing custody of the motor vehicle for which the permit is to be issued.

     • c. Any motor vehicle to be issued a permit must have a vehicle registration indicating registration within the area for which the permit is to be issued.

  3. Visitor or guest parking permits may be issued for those vehicles or to those individuals or households that qualify for those permits under the resolution establishing the RPP Zone.

  4. Employee parking permits may be issued to those individuals and for those vehicles that qualify for such permits under the resolution establishing the RPP Zone.

• B. No Guarantee of Availability of Parking. A parking permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the permit holder an on-street parking space within the designated residential preferential parking zone.

• C. Restrictions and Conditions. Each permit issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to each and every condition and restriction set forth in this chapter and as provided for in the resolution establishing the specific RPP Zone, as may be amended from time to time. The issuance of such permit shall not be construed to waive compliance with any other applicable parking law, regulation or ordinance.

• D. Exemptions. The following vehicles are exempt from RPP Zone parking restrictions in this chapter:

  1. A vehicle owned or operated by a public or private utility, when used in the course of business.

  2. A vehicle owned or operated by a governmental agency, when used in the course of official government business.

  3. A vehicle for which an authorized emergency vehicle permit has been issued by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol, when used in the course of business.

  4. A vehicle parked or standing while actively delivering materials or freight.

  5. A vehicle displaying an authorized exemption permit issued by the City of Vernon.

• E.

• Authority of Staff.

1. The Director is authorized to adopt administrative regulations that are consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

   2. The Police Department or private parking enforcement contractor as approved by the Chief of Police shall have the authority to enforce the administrative regulations established pursuant to this chapter.

• (Prior code § 22.129)

The City Council, following a noticed public hearing, may adopt a resolution dissolving the RPP District:

• A. Upon receipt and verification of a petition signed by 50% or more of all the households within an approved RPP Zone boundary; or

• B. Upon findings by the City Council that none of the criteria for designating the RPP Zone are satisfied.

(Prior code § 22.130)

• A. No person shall park a vehicle adjacent to any curb in a residential preferential parking zone in violation of any posted or noticed prohibition or restriction, unless the person has a valid and current residential preferential parking permit, visitor permit, guest permit or employee permit for that vehicle, or is otherwise exempt. Violations of this subsection shall be punishable by a civil penalty under Section 1.08.080.

• B. No person shall sell, rent, or lease, or cause to be sold, rented, or leased for any value or consideration any RPP Zone parking permit, visitor permit, or guest permit. Upon violation of this subsection, all permits issued to such person, for the benefit of the dwelling unit or business establishment for which the sold, rented, or leased permit was authorized, shall be void. Violation of this subsection shall be punishable with an administrative citation under Section 1.08.060.

• C. No person shall buy or otherwise acquire for value or use any RPP Zone parking permit, guest permit or visitor permit except as provided for in this chapter. Violation of this subsection shall be punishable with an administrative citation under Section 1.08.060.

• (Prior code § 22.131)