Chapter 10.60
REGULATION OF THE PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Sections:
10.60.030 Parking prohibited – Exceptions.
10.60.040 Recreational vehicle parking permits.
10.60.050 Duration and limits.
10.60.080 RV permit – Display.
10.60.100 Prohibited activities.
10.60.010 Purpose.
The regulations enacted by this chapter are intended to ensure there is adequate parking for residents of the city and to regulate the parking of vehicles actively used as sleeping accommodations. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.020 Definitions.
Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this chapter:
“Out-of-town visitor” means any natural person who does not reside in the city and who is temporarily visiting a resident of the city.
“Recreational vehicle” means a motorhome, travel trailer, truck camper, camping trailer, or other vehicle or trailer, with or without motive power, designed or altered for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other human occupancy. “Recreational vehicle” specifically includes, but is not limited to: a “recreational vehicle” as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 18010; a “truck camper” as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 18013.4; a “camp trailer” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 242; a “camper” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 243; a “fifth-wheel travel trailer” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 324; a “house car” as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 362; a “trailer coach” as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 635; a van camper; or a van conversion.
“RV guest permit” means a limited duration parking permit for a recreational vehicle belonging to an out-of-town visitor issued by the chief of police or his designee in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
“RV permit” means a two-year parking permit for a recreational vehicle belonging to a resident of the city issued by the chief of police or his designee in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.030 Parking prohibited – Exceptions.
A. It is unlawful for a person to park or leave standing any recreational vehicle on any public street, park, square, avenue, alley or public way in the city between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
B. Exceptions. The prohibitions of this section do not apply to:
1. Recreational vehicles for which a RV permit has been issued and such permit is displayed and is valid;
2. Recreational vehicles for which a RV guest permit has been issued and such permit is displayed and is valid; or
3. Recreational vehicles 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 forty-eight hours. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.040 Recreational vehicle parking permits.
A. The chief of police, or his designee, has the authority to issue RV permits and RV guest permits and to revoke such permits in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Persons holding a valid RV permit or RV guest permit issued pursuant to this chapter may park the recreational vehicle for which the permit was issued on a street in a residential area during the restricted hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., provided the recreational vehicle is parked along the curb line within the same block as the residence listed in the application for which the permit is issued and the permit is valid. If the residence is located on a corner, then the permit holder may park along the curb line of either of the streets on the block on which the residence is located.
C. Except as expressly provided in this chapter, a RV permit or a RV guest permit does not authorize any vehicle to park in a location or manner that is otherwise prohibited by this code or by the California Vehicle Code.
D. A RV permit or a RV guest permit does not guarantee the availability of parking at any time. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.050 Duration and limits.
A. RV permits will be valid for two years. The permittee may apply for additional RV permits without any limitation on the number of successive permits which may be issued provided all of the conditions set forth in this chapter continue to be met. No more than one RV permit shall be issued for each residential address in the city; this does not include a RV guest permit.
B. RV guest permits will be issued for a period not to exceed two weeks. Applicants may request an additional one-week extension. No RV guest permit will be issued for a residential address for more than sixty total calendar days in any consecutive twelve-month period, regardless of the number of out-of-town visitors during that period of time. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.060 Application.
A. Every resident desiring a RV permit for his own recreational vehicle or recreational vehicle under his possession and control shall file an application with the Gardena police department containing the following information:
1. The name, residential address and phone number of the resident applying for the permit along with proof of residency satisfactory to the chief of police such as a current driver’s license or identification card, property tax bill, or public utility bill;
2. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of the recreational vehicle for which a permit is sought along with a copy of the vehicle registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency from another state. If the resident applying for the RV permit is not the registered owner, a letter of authorization of the registered owner shall be included;
3. The license number, year, make and model of the recreational vehicle and its dimensions as to width, height, and length;
4. Such additional information the chief of police, or his designee, may reasonably require.
B. An application for a RV guest permit may be filed by the resident or the out-of-town visitor. The application shall include the following:
1. The name, residential address and phone number of the resident that the out-of-town visitor will be visiting;
2. The name, address, and phone number of the registered owner of the recreational vehicle for which a permit is sought along with a copy of the vehicle registration from the California Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency from another state. If the resident applying for the RV permit is not the registered owner, a letter of authorization of the registered owner shall be included;
3. The license number, year, make and model of the recreational vehicle and its dimensions as to width, height, and length;
4. The dates for which the permit is desired; and
5. Such additional information the chief of police, or his designee, may reasonably require.
C. There shall be no fee for issuance of a RV permit or RV guest permit. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.070 Issuance.
A. The chief of police or his designee shall issue a RV permit unless one of the following findings is made:
1. The applicant is not a city resident;
2. The resident is not the registered owner of the recreational vehicle or does not have authorization to use such vehicle;
3. A RV permit has already been issued for a resident at the listed address;
4. There are public safety concerns relating to the parking of the recreational vehicle on the street on which the parking would be provided, including but not limited to a street being too narrow to safely accommodate the recreational vehicle;
5. The street on which parking would be provided prohibits parking of all vehicles; or
6. The applicant provided information that was materially false.
B. The chief of police or his designee shall issue a RV guest permit unless one of the following findings is made:
1. The out-of-town visitor is not the registered owner of the recreational vehicle or does not have authorization to use such vehicle;
2. There are public safety concerns relating to the parking of the recreational vehicle on the street on which the parking would be provided, including but not limited to a street being too narrow to safely accommodate the recreational vehicle;
3. The street on which parking would be provided prohibits parking of all vehicles;
4. The applicant provided information that was materially false;
5. The out-of-town visitor is not visiting the resident listed in the application;
6. The address associated with the resident that the out-of-town visitor is visiting has already exceeded the number of days allowed for a RV permit for guests in the previous twelve months; or
7. The resident that is being visited has unpaid parking citations issued by the city of Gardena. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.080 RV permit – Display.
A. All RV permits and RV guest permits shall include the license plate number of the designated recreational vehicle, the date of issuance, the date of expiration, and the permit number.
B. All RV permits shall be conspicuously displayed in the lower driver’s side of the windshield or nearest window so that it is clearly visible from the exterior of the vehicle so that all information is visible in order to avoid a parking ticket. The possession of a valid, unexpired permit that was not properly displayed shall not be considered a defense to a citation for an illegally parked recreational vehicle.
C. Any person who displays a counterfeit, forged, altered, or fraudulent RV permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.090 Notice.
Signs giving reasonable notice of the prohibitions contained in this chapter will be erected within the city as required by the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.100 Prohibited activities.
Regardless of whether a person has a RV permit, no person shall:
A. Run electrical cords, extension cords, hoses, cables, or other items across, above, or on the parkway or sidewalk from any property to a recreational vehicle parked on a public street at any time;
B. Make a sewer connection with a recreational vehicle or dump wastes from a recreational vehicle onto public or private land other than a designated RV dump. Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor; or
C. Use of such recreational vehicle for human habitation in violation of Section 10.28.490. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.110 Violations.
Unless otherwise specified, all violations of this chapter shall be an infraction and such persons shall be subject to citation, towing or both. Parking citations may be appealed under California Vehicle Code Section 40215 et seq. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)
10.60.120 Revocation.
A. The chief of police shall have the authority to revoke a RV permit or RV guest permit in the following circumstances:
1. A ground exists which would have justified denial of the permit in the first instance;
2. The recreational vehicle has fallen into a state of disrepair and has become a public nuisance;
3. The recreational vehicle has created a disturbance in the neighborhood due to the manner in which it has been used;
4. The recreational vehicle has become inoperable;
5. There have been at least two parking citations issued for the recreational vehicle associated with the permit;
6. There has been a violation of Section 10.60.100A;
7. There has been evidence that the recreational vehicle is being used for habitation.
B. The chief of police shall issue a notice of revocation in writing to the permittee specifying the effective date of the revocation, which date shall be at least two days after the date of service. Mailed notice shall be deemed served three days after deposit in the United States mail.
C. The permittee shall have the right to appeal the notice of revocation in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 1.12, except that the appeal shall be to the city manager with no right of review to the city council. (Ord. 1742 § 1 (part), 2012)