Yolo County Municipal Code Ch. 4 County Parking Facilities

* Chapter 4, formerly entitled “County Parking Facility”, amended by Section 1 of Ordinance No. 1076, effective June 2, 1988.

This chapter regulates the use of all off-street parking facilities owned or operated by the County of Yolo, including all designated County parking lots. The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate the transaction of County business by assuring adequate parking space at such facilities, thereby allowing sufficient parking space for County employees and visitors. This chapter does not apply to County parking lots that are part of a County park or County recreation area. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

This chapter shall apply to all County parking facilities that have signs posted at each entrance with the following language: “PARKING BY PERMIT ONLY – VIOLATORS WILL BE CITED” or “COUNTY PARKING CODE ENFORCED.” (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

This chapter is enacted pursuant to the authority of Section 21113 and 22519 of the California Vehicle Code. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “Charging of electric vehicle.” An electric vehicle is “charging” when it is electrically connected to the charging station equipment and is battery has not reached full capacity.

(b) “County parking facility.” A facility owned, leased or operated by the County in or upon which the County allows the parking of motor vehicles, whether located within the unincorporated area of the County or within the boundaries of an incorporated city.

(c) “County vehicle.” A vehicle owned or leased by the County.

(d) “Driveway.” An entrance or exit used by vehicles to access County parking facilities or a vehicle corridor within County parking facilities.

(e) “Electric vehicle.” Shall be a “motor vehicle” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 415, which either (i) displays the State of California Air Board ZEV (zero emission vehicle) sticker; or (ii) has the capability to charge a battery from an off-vehicle electric energy source that cannot be connected or coupled to the vehicle in any manner while the vehicle is being driven.”

(f) “Handbill.” Any printed or written matter, circular, flier, leaflet, pamphlet, paper booklet or any other printed matter or literature which is not delivered by the United States mail.

(g) “Parking space.” The area between two parallel lines painted on the ground, the area between a set of double parallel lines painted on the ground or the area between lines forming a “T” or “L” painted on the ground. Parking space shall not include a hatched area painted on the ground, a crosshatched area painted on the ground, or an area fully enclosed by solid lines painted on the ground. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

(a) No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any off-street County parking facility in violation of any posted parking regulations, marked loading/unloading zones, and time limits.

(b) No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any off-street County parking facility outside designated parking stall markings, in whole or in part. No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any off-street County parking facility in a manner that occupies more than one designated parking stall.

(c) No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any County-owned parking lot in a stall designated for disabled persons without displaying a license plate or placard issued to disabled persons by the California Department of Motor Vehicles or a foreign jurisdiction.

(d) No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any County-owned parking lot for the purpose of overhaul, maintenance or repair of such vehicle except for emergency repairs requiring less than two hours to complete.

(e) No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any off-street County parking facility in any area designated a "no parking zone." A "no parking zone" is the paved area in front of any red-painted curbing or any other area designated by signage, including signs stating "No Parking" or "No Parking Anytime."

(f) No person shall use any area of an off-street County parking facility for storage of any kind, including the parking of detached trailers, fifth wheels, and other equipment, or for storage of any personal property, or for any use other than parking a motor vehicle and accessing adjacent public facilities, unless authorized by the Director of General Services or the Director's designee.

(g) No person shall stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within any County parking facility for the purpose of displaying the vehicle for sale.

(h) County employees must mark their vehicles with decals issued by the Department of General Services which shall be prominently displayed upon the parked vehicle by the operator thereof. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

(a) Except as specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of General Services, or as otherwise validly authorized pursuant to County ordinance or resolution, it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any vehicle between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. in any off-street parking area owned or operated by the County.

(b) Overnight parking for the purposes of electric vehicle charging at County charging stations located in County parking lots is allowed subject to compliance with all other requirements of this chapter and any posted rules and regulations at each specific lot. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

Unless specifically authorized by the Director of the Department of General Services, it shall be unlawful to park in a designated electric vehicle charging station parking stall unless the vehicle is an electric vehicle that is actively charging its battery.

An electric vehicle is "charging" when it is electrically connected to the charging station equipment and its battery has not reached full capacity. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

(a) The Director of General Services and such persons they may designate shall direct and control the designation and signage of reserved parking spaces.

(b) Parking spaces may be reserved for the exclusive use of any person with disabilities displaying a special license plate or placard issued in accordance with California Vehicle Code Section 22511.5.

(c) The Director of General Services may also reserve, by the postage of appropriate signage, parking spaces for the exclusive use of County officials, departments, or employees. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

Parking in non-public parking spaces (for example, spaces at securely fenced facilities accessible only by County personnel) in County parking facilities may be regulated by permits issued by the Director of General Services and such persons they may designate. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

To promote the purposes of this chapter, for special events or meetings, the Director of General Services and their designee(s) may establish any additional regulations, issue any additional permits, and/or make temporary amendments to time restrictions and permit requirements. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

(a) The following County officers or employees shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter:

(1) Director of General Services or designee;

(2) Sheriff or designee;

(3) Local law enforcement having primary jurisdiction where a County parking facility is located;

(b) The persons listed in subsection (a), above are hereby authorized to remove, or cause to be removed, or issue citations to, any vehicle found to be in violation of parking laws or regulations set forth in this chapter. Any removal (towing) of vehicles shall proceed in a manner that ensures compliance with California Vehicle Code Section 22651, including that towing may only occur in locations where signs are posted giving notice that violations may result in vehicle removal (unless the vehicle is otherwise in violation of Section 22651, such as if it is blocking the movement of legally parked vehicles or is preventing access to a fire hydrant). The persons listed above shall also have the authority to take all such steps as are required by law to notify the California Department of Motor Vehicles of those persons who fail to pay the civil penalties for violations of County parking ordinances, unless such functions have been delegated by resolution of the Board of Supervisors to a public or private processing center with which the board has executed a contract pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 40200.5.

(c) With the exception of encampments and related personal property within the express scope of Chapter 20 of Title 6 of the Yolo County Code (Promotion of Safe and Open Public Spaces), which shall be regulated exclusively by the provisions thereof, the Director of General Services and such persons as they may designate shall have the authority to remove property other than vehicles located on county-owned parking lots which is in violation of Sections 4-4.05, 4-4.06, and 4-4.07 after providing 48-hour notice of intention to remove such property. Notwithstanding the above, the Director of General Services and such persons as they may designate shall have the authority to immediately remove property that constitutes an immediate threat to public health or safety, or is evidence of a crime, or contraband. Any property removed will be stored at a designated location, and if unclaimed, subject to disposition in accordance with California Civil Code Section 2080.6.

(d) The Director of General Services and such persons as they may designate shall have the authority to impound any shopping carts left in county-owned parking lots to the extent and manner permitted by Section 22435.7 of the California Business and Professions Code.

(e) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, obstruct, or obscure a mark or designation on or around a vehicle parked in a county parking lot with the intent to interfere with an officer or employee ensuring that vehicle has not been parked in violation of posted time restrictions. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall not be a criminal violation but shall be subject to a civil penalty enforceable pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 40200 et seq. Citations issued for violations shall comply with the requirements thereof, including but not limited to California Vehicle Code Section 40202. Civil penalty amounts and other costs (e.g., late fees, collection costs) shall be as set forth in the Master Fee Schedule. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise set forth in the Master Fee Schedule, all penalties and other amounts (e.g., late fees, collection costs) for citations issued within the jurisdictional boundaries of a city shall be as duly adopted by its governing body. (§ 2, Ord. 1570, eff. December 5, 2024)