Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 10.16 Stopping, Standing and Parking

A. The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.

B. The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code or the ordinances of this city prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times. (Prior code § 3009(a))

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within any parkway. (Prior code § 3009(b))

A. The city manager is authorized to maintain, by appropriate signs or by paint upon the curb surface, all no stopping zones, no parking area, and restricted parking area, as defined and described in this chapter.

B. When said 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 of the provisions of this chapter. (Prior code § 3009(c))

No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing such vehicle in any of the following places, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or other authorized officer, of traffic sign or signal:

A. Within any divisional island unless authorized and clearly indicated with appropriate signs or markings;

B. On either side of any street between the projected property lines of any public walk, public steps, street, or thoroughfare terminating at such street, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

C. In any area where the city manager determines that the parking or stopping of a vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

D. In any area established by resolution of the council as a no parking area, when such area is indicated by appropriate signs or by red paint upon the curb surface;

E. Upon, along or across any railway track in such manner as to hinder, delay or obstruct the movement of any car traveling upon such track;

F. In any area where the parking or stopping of any vehicle would constitute a traffic hazard or would endanger life or property;

G. 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, that signs giving notice of such no parking are erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the effective time of such no parking. (Prior code § 3009(d))

A. No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street or alley for more than a consecutive period of seventy-two (72) hours or move and re-park such vehicle on any street or alley within one thousand (1,000) feet of the original parking site.

B. No person shall park or stand or permit to park any recreational vehicles or temporary recreational vehicles, travel trailers, mobile homes, unattached trailers, boat trailers, and camper trailers on any street or alley for more than six (6) days in any twelve (12) month period.

C. Recreational vehicles, temporary recreational vehicles, travel trailers, mobile homes, unattached trailers, boat trailers, and camper trailers may be parked or stored with no time limits on a paved surface, on any side or rear yard of a property, and not impede the right- of-way. (Ord. 2024-13 § 2, 2025: Prior code § 3009(e))

No operator of any vehicle shall park said vehicle upon any street in this city for the principal purpose of advertising or displaying it for sale, unless authorized by resolution of the council. (Prior code § 3009(f))

Editor's note: The United States District Court (Central District of California) recently offered an opinion regarding the legal validity of city ordinances prohibiting vehicles to be parked on a roadway displaying a "for sale" sign. The United States District Court found that prohibiting the display of such a sign in a vehicle on a roadway may be a First Amendment violation of free speech and has issued a preliminary injunction against the City of Los Angeles, forbidding them to issue citations for that violation. (8-9-01)

No person shall construct or cause to be constructed, repair or cause to be repaired, grease or cause to be greased, dismantle or cause to be dismantled any vehicle or any part thereof upon any public street in this city. Temporary emergency repairs may be made upon a public street. (Prior code § 3009(g))

No person shall wash or cause to be washed, polish or cause to be polished any vehicle or any part thereof upon any public street in this city, when a charge is made for such service. (Prior code § 3009(h))

A. The city manager is authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.

B. When official signs are erected prohibiting parking upon that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. (Prior code § 3009(i))

A. The city manager is authorized to place signs or markings indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed twenty (20) feet, or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty (30) feet.

B. When official signs or markings prohibiting parking are erected upon narrow streets as authorized herein, no person shall park a vehicle upon any such street in violation of any such sign or marking. (Prior code § 3009(j))

A. 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall stand or park any vehicle, wagon or pushcart from which goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, vegetables or food stuffs are sold, displayed, solicited or offered for sale or bartered or exchanged, or any lunch wagon or eating cart or vehicle, on any portion of any street within this city except that such vehicles, wagons, or pushcarts may not stand or park at any specific location for more than ten minutes, unless the person is otherwise stopped on a personal break, or as necessary to complete a transaction(s) at the request of a bona fide purchaser(s) that approached the person while stopped.

2. No person shall stand or park any such vehicle, wagon or pushcart within this city within one thousand (1,000) feet of the exterior boundary for property used or occupied by any private or public school.

3. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to persons delivering such articles upon order of, or by agreement with a customer from a store or other fixed place of business of distribution.

B. No person shall park or stand on any street any lunch wagon, eating cart or vehicle, or pushcart, stand, display, pedal driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other nonmotorized conveyance from which food or merchandise is sold or offered for sale without first obtaining a written permit to do so under this municipal code, Chapter 5.72 concerning sidewalk vendors seeking permits or Chapter 17.64 concerning food truck operators seeking permits.

C. No person shall park or stand any vehicle or wagon used or intended to be used in the transportation of property for hire on any street while awaiting patronage for such vehicle or wagon without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the city manager, which shall designate the specific location where such vehicle may stand.

D. Whenever any permit is granted under the provisions of this municipal code and a particular location to park or stand is specified therein, no person shall park or stand any vehicle, wagon, or pushcart on any location other than as designated in such permit. (Ord. 2019-05 § 2, 2019: prior code § 3009(k))

A. Whenever the city manager 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 city manager shall have the power and authority to order temporary signs to be erected or posted indicating that the operation, parking or standing of vehicles is prohibited on such streets and alleys as the city manager 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 city manager shall cause such signs to be removed promptly thereafter.

B. 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. (Prior code § 3009(l))

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

B. When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the city manager 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. (Prior code § 3010(a))

A. When authorized signs have been determined by the city manager 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 eight a.m. and five p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for a period of time longer than one hour.

B. When authorized signs have been determined by the city manager 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 eight a.m. and five p.m. of any day except Saturday(s), Sunday(s), and holidays for a period of time longer than two hours.

C. When authorized signs have been determined by the city manager 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 eight a.m. and five p.m. of any day except Saturday(s), Sunday(s), and holidays for a period of time longer than three hours.

D. When authorized signs have been determined by the city manager 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 eight a.m. and five p.m. of any day except Saturday(s), Sunday(s), and holidays for a period of time longer than four hours. (Ord. 2007-04 § 2, 2007; prior code § 3010(b))

A. Whenever the city manager shall determine that the establishment of parking permits are reasonably necessary or desirable to prohibit, restrict or regulate off-street parking facilities within the central business district parking zone as defined by Section 17.30.030, the city manager shall have authority to implement parking permit programs for city-owned or operated off-street parking facilities. The city manger shall issue rules and regulations needed for the administration and enforcement of downtown parking permits including but not limited to criteria and procedures for issuance and revocation of a parking permit.

B. The city manager may defer any parking permit programs to the city council for public review and authorization.

C. 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.

D. Permit fees shall be set by resolution of the city council.

E. Fees collected, less administrative costs, shall be deposited into an account for the purpose of providing future public parking facilities. (Ord. 2000-10 § 1, 2000)

A. Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be stopped or parked within eighteen (18) inches of the left-hand curb facing in the direction of traffic movement upon any one-way street unless signs are in place prohibiting such stopping or standing.

B. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway unless signs are in place permitting such standing or parking.

C. The city manager is authorized to determine when standing or parking shall be prohibited upon the left-hand side of any one-way street or when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any one-way roadway or a highway having two or more separate roadways and shall erect signs giving notice thereof.

D. The requirement of parallel parking imposed by this section shall not apply in the event any commercial vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading freight, or goods, in which case such vehicle may be backed up to the curb; provided, that such vehicle does not extend beyond the center line of the street and does not block traffic thereby. (Prior code § 3010(c))

A. On any of the streets, portions of streets, or publicly owned parking lots established by resolution of the council as diagonal parking zones, when signs or pavement markings are in place indicating such diagonal parking, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park said vehicle except:

1. At the angle to the curb or barrier indicated by signs or pavement markings allotting space to parked vehicles and entirely within the limits of said allotted space;

2. With the front wheel nearest the curb or barrier within six inches of said curb or barrier.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply when such vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading passengers, freight or goods, in which event the provisions applicable in Section 10.16.150 shall be complied with. (Prior code § 3010(d))

A. The city manager is authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking space adjacent to curbing and the publicly owned lots where authorized parking is permitted.

B. When such parking space markings are placed on the pavement, 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 and shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible. (Prior code § 3010(e))

A. The city manager shall designate established no stopping zones by placing and maintaining appropriate signs indicating that stopping of vehicles is prohibited and indicating the hours and day when stopping is prohibited.

B. During the hours and on the days designated on the signs, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to stop said vehicle on any of the streets or parts of streets established by resolution of the council as no stopping zones. (Prior code § 3010(f))

Whenever, within the central traffic district, signs are in place indicating that parking is prohibited for any specified time between the hours of two a.m. and five a.m. of any day, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle during any period of time prohibited by such signs. (Prior code § 3010(g))

A. Whenever the city manager shall determine that the orderly efficient conduct of the city's business requires that parking or standing of vehicles on city property be prohibited, limited or restricted, the city manager shall have the power and authority to order signs to be erected or posted indicating that the parking of vehicles is thus prohibited, limited or restricted.

B. When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of such signs. (Prior code § 3010(h))

A. No person shall park any commercial vehicle that would require a Class A or Class B Commercial Drivers License (CDL) in any residential district except as follows:

1. While loading or unloading property;

2. 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 an authorized emergency vehicle or other vehicles parked in compliance with a law enforcement service agreement; or

3. In a manner not affecting the flow of traffic while parked on the street.

B. For the purpose of this section the following definitions are defined as follows:

1. A "residence district" shall mean those districts or areas zoned as residential and indicated as such on the city general plan land use and zoning maps, including land use designations of very-low, low, medium and high density residential, and zoning designations of R-1, R-1-12.5, R-1-20, R-M-2, and R-M-3.

2. Class A CDL as defined per the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial Driver Handbook.

3. Class B CDL as defined per the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial Driver Handbook.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A. of this section, for those properties with a zoning classification of R-1 R-1-12.5, R-1-20, R-M-2, and R-M-3, which also have a lot size greater than ten thousand (10,000) square feet it is lawful to park or permit to be parked a commercial vehicle requiring a Class A or Class B license on private property if all of the following conditions are met:

1. No more than one commercial vehicle shall be parked on any parcel or private property.

2. The commercial vehicle shall be parked on a paved driveway or other improved non-pervious parking surface per city's paving standards and must not block the sidewalk.

3. The commercial vehicle shall be parked behind a six (6) foot high wood fence or gate constructed of permitted materials and shall screen the vehicle from the public street(s).

4. The vehicle shall not be parked in the minimum required front yard and/or side yard setbacks of any lot.

5. That a permit shall be applied for and issued administratively by the Community Development Director, with additional limitations as deemed reasonably necessary by the Director, prior to parking a commercial vehicle on a residential parcel.

6. The permit may be revoked by Community Development Director upon violation of any condition stated in the permit or this section unless such violation is corrected within ten (10) days of notice of such violation.

7. If the event of a denial, revocation, or objections to limitations listed in the issuance of the permit an appeal may be made in writing to the planning commission in the same manner as an appeal under Visalia Municipal Code Section 17.28.050. (Ord. 2025- 15 (part), 2025: Ord. 2023-06 § 2, 2023: Prior code § 3010(i))

No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle, except a commercial delivery vehicle while actually engaged in making delivery or pick up of merchandise, more than one time within any two consecutive hours in the central traffic district when posted in accordance with this chapter. (Prior code § 3010(j))

A. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in a stall or space designated for physically handicapped persons on public or private property if such stall or space is indicated by blue paint on the curb. In addition to the blue paint, the space may also be indicated by sign if immediately adjacent to and visible from such stall or space there is a posted sign consisting of a profile view of a wheelchair with occupant in white on blue background, unless the vehicle displays a distinguishing handicapped license plate or handicapped placard issued pursuant to Sections 22511.5 or 9105 of the California Vehicle Code.

B. This chapter shall not apply to any off-street parking facility privately owned and maintained and generally held open for use of the public for purposes of vehicular parking unless the owner or operator has, in addition, caused to be posted in a conspicuous place at each entrance to such off-street parking facility a notice not less than seventeen (17) by twenty-two (22) inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height, to the effect that such off-street parking is subject to enforcement of handicapped parking spaces as per Section 10.16.230 of the Municipal Code.

C. Any violation of this section shall constitute an infraction and shall be punishable as hereinafter provided:

1. A fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00);

2. On the 5th calendar day following the date indicated on the citation as the date to appear if no appearance has been made by either:

a. Payment of bail,

b. Payment of a fine imposed by this section,

c. The filing of a notice of contest with the collecting agency,

the citation shall be deemed delinquent and a fine of five dollars ($5.00) shall be imposed in addition to that imposed under subsection (C)(1) of this section;

3. On the 40th calendar day following the date indicated on the citation as the date to appear if no appearance has been made by either:

a. Payment of bail,

b. Payment of a fine imposed by this section,

c. The filing of a notice of contest with the collecting agency,

the citation shall be deemed delinquent and an additional fine of fifteen dollars ($15.00) shall be imposed in addition to that imposed under subsections (C)(1) and (C)(2).

D. For the purpose of processing parking citations and collecting bail, fines and penalties, the collecting agency will be the Visalia Municipal Court or the city.

E. In the event of changes in the California Vehicle Code sections pertaining to handicapped parking, this chapter will automatically conform to such change. (Prior code § 3011(k--n))

A. The city manager is authorized to determine and to mark loading zones and passenger zones as follows:

1. At any place in the central traffic district or any business district;

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

B. In no event shall more than one-half of the total curb length in any block be reserved for loading zone purposes.

C. Loading zones shall be indicated by yellow paint upon the top of all curbs within such zones.

D. Passenger loading zones shall be indicated by white paint upon the top of all curbs in said zones. (Prior code § 3011(a))

The city manager is authorized, subject to the provisions and limitations of this chapter, to place, and when required herein shall place, the following curb markings to indicate parking or standing regulations, and such curb markings shall have the meanings as herein set forth.

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

B. Yellow shall mean no stopping, standing or parking at any time between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials; provided, that the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes; nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty (20) minutes.

C. White shall mean no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than loading or unloading of passengers, or for the purpose of depositing mail in an adjacent mail box, which shall not exceed three minutes and such restrictions shall apply between seven a.m. and six p.m. of any day except Sundays and holidays and except as follows:

1. When such zone is in front of a hotel or in front of a mail box, the restrictions shall apply at all times;

2. When such zone is in front of a theater, the restrictions shall apply at all times except when such theater is closed.

D. When the city manager as authorized under this chapter has caused curb markings to be placed, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking in violation of any of the provisions of this section. (Prior code § 3011(b))

A. Permission granted to stop or stand a vehicle for the purposes of loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial vehicles and shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefore, and in no event for more than twenty (20) minutes.

B. The loading or unloading of materials shall apply only to commercial deliveries, also the delivery or pick-up of express and parcel post packages and United States mail.

C. Permission granted to stop or park for purposes of loading or unloading passengers shall include the loading or unloading of personal baggage, but shall not extend beyond the time necessary therefore, and in no event for more than three minutes.

D. Within the total time limits above specified, the provisions of this section shall be enforced so as to accommodate necessary and reasonable loading or unloading but without permitting abuse of the privileges granted. (Prior code § 3011(c))

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any yellow loading zone for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or materials for such time as is permitted in Section 10.16.260. (Prior code § 3011(d))

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any passenger loading zone for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers for such time as is specified in Section 10.16.260. (Prior code § 3011(e))

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of persons or materials in any alley. Such loading or unloading is limited to the time periods specified in Section 10.16.260. (Prior code § 3011(f))

A. The city manager or his designee, with the concurrence of the city engineer, is authorized to establish bus zones for the loading and unloading of passengers and to determine the location thereof and the time such zones shall be restricted to the use of buses, subject to the directives and limitations set forth herein.

B. Bus zones shall normally be established on the far side of an intersection.

C. The normal length of any bus zone shall be determined as follows:

1. Eighty (80) feet when the zone is located at the far side of any intersection;

2. One hundred (100) feet when the zone is located at the near side of an intersection, or at any location where the bus turns at an intersection immediately prior to entering the bus zone;

3. One hundred fifty (150) feet when the city engineer determines that the length of the bus zone, as stated in subsection (C)(1) or (C)(2) of this section, is insufficient for safe or efficient operation of the bus; provided, that such length minimums may be revised by the city engineer when a zone is constructed off the standard street right-of-way.

D. The bus zone shall be designated by a red curb marking stenciled with the words “BUS ZONE,” or by posting signs containing the same words.

E. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle, except a transit bus, in a bus zone during times as may be specified on such sign or marking.

F. If any development occurring to or upon any real property adjacent or contiguous to the public right-of-way upon which a bus zone and/or a bus bench is located requires the temporary relocation of an existing bus zone and/or bus bench, then the owner of said real property, or his contractor, or both, whose actions are, in whole or in part, responsible for the relocation of any such bus zone and/or bus bench, shall be individually and collectively responsible for all costs incurred in providing any such temporary relocation and for the reinstallment of the bus zone and/or bus bench to a permanent location. (Prior code § 3011(g))

When the city manager shall determine that the establishment of a bicycle parking zone is reasonably necessary or desirable for the regulation of traffic or to provide facilities for the temporary parking of bicycles being operated upon public streets, or to safeguard life or property, he is authorized to set aside a space on the street not more than thirty-six (36) feet in length for the parking of bicycles during such hours of such days as are found by him to be best suited for the accomplishment of the purpose set forth in this section. When a bicycle parking zone is so established, the city manager shall cause appropriate signs to be posted thereat during such hours, giving notice that parking of other vehicles is prohibited. No person shall stop, stand or park any other vehicle in front of such zone while such signs are in place. (Prior code § 3011(k))

No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle for any period of time longer than is necessary for the loading and unloading of passengers and not to exceed three minutes at any place between the limit markers or signs placed within the projected real property boundaries of any undertaking establishment, private residence, or any public or private place at any time during or within forty (40) minutes prior to the beginning of any funeral by or has received permission from the director or other person in charge of such funeral or funeral service to park such vehicle in such place; provided, that such director or person in charge shall have placed and maintained prior to and during the time limit specified herein, two approved portable signs one at each extremity of such place, upon the sidewalks or pavement area and within two feet of the curb. (Prior code § 3011(l))

A. The city manager may establish taxicab stands and determine the location thereof.

B. The curb surface within each taxicab stand shall be painted white and marked “Taxicab Stand” in red lettering, or shall be designated by signs of a type approved by the city manager.

C. No operator of any vehicle, other than a taxicab or automobile for hire, shall park said vehicle in such taxicab stand. (Prior code § 3011(m))

A. No operator of any vehicle shall stop, stand, or park said vehicle in any special passenger loading zone when approved permanent or portable signs are in place, as hereinafter provided, for any period of time longer than is necessary for the loading or unloading of passengers and not to exceed three minutes.

B. Special Passenger Loading Zones, as used herein, shall be those areas adjacent to the curb, not more than sixty (60) feet in length, located between two approved permanent or portable signs in front of or adjacent to, and within the projected real property boundaries of any church, theater, club, or place of business or public gathering. Said signs shall be provided and paid for by the church, theater, club, or place of business or public gathering for which they are used and shall be approved by the city manager. (Prior code § 3011(n))