Chapter 12.64 STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING

Whenever the City Council finds that on any portion of the highway or of any parking lot maintained or operated for the public by the City there is at any time lack of sufficient space to accommodate the operators of vehicles and that the time of parking should be limited so that everyone may have his fair turn, the City Engineer shall erect and maintain adequate signs along such portion of the highway specifying the limitation of the time of parking. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.020 Commercial Loading Zones.

An operator shall not stop for any purpose other than loading or unloading between the hours of seven a.m. and six p.m. on any day except Sunday, or at such time as the Council may designate, in any place marked by the Director as provided in this section. Such stop shall not exceed three (3) minutes for a passenger vehicle and shall not exceed twenty (20) minutes for a commercial vehicle in any loading zone so marked by the Director in accordance with the State Vehicle Code. The Director shall so place signs or curb markings if the Council finds traffic conditions are such to make loading feasible. Unless otherwise specified by the Council, such loading zone shall not exceed thirty (30) feet in length.

A. For a distance of thirty (30) feet along the east side of Wayman Street starting southerly from one hundred sixty-two (162) feet from the beginning of the curb return at Lyons Avenue. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89; Ord. 96-19, 4/23/96)

12.64.030 Post Office Parking Restrictions.

The operator of a vehicle shall not park such vehicle for a longer time than ten (10) minutes between the hours of seven a.m. and six p.m. for a distance of forty (40) feet adjacent to any post office when there shall be in place appropriate markings or signs so placed by authority of the Director in accordance with this title. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.040 Depositing Mail—Restrictions.

An operator shall not stop or park for any purpose other than a stop not to exceed a period of time reasonably necessary for the deposit of mail in an adjacent mail box at those locations marked by the Director pursuant to provisions of the State Vehicle Code. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.050 Residential or Agricultural Zones—Commercial Vehicle Parking Restrictions.

A person shall not park any commercial vehicle of a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or more on any highway or alley between two a.m. and six a.m. in any residential zone or agricultural zone, except for:

A. Necessary loading and unloading;

B. Vehicles engaged in performing a service activity on the adjacent lot or parcel of land;

C. Vehicles used in conjunction with a lawful commercial use on the adjacent lot or parcel of land;

D. Vehicles used during the construction of buildings or structures on the adjacent lot or parcel of land. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.055 Commercial Vehicle Parking Restrictions Between Ten p.m. and Six a.m.

Whenever the Council finds that the parking of commercial vehicles on certain public streets or alleys is creating a public nuisance or is unsafe, the Director shall erect and maintain adequate signs along such public streets and alleys specifying that a person shall not park any commercial vehicle of a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or more between the hours of ten p.m. and six a.m. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.100 Trailers or Semitrailers—Parking Requirements.

A. A person shall not park any trailer or semitrailer upon any highway, street, alley, public way or public place unless the trailer or semitrailer is at all times while so parked attached to a vehicle capable of moving the trailer or semitrailer in a normal manner upon the highway, street, alley, public way or public place.

B. This section shall not apply to trailers or semitrailers in the process of being loaded or unloaded, nor shall it apply to any trailer or semitrailer which is disabled in such a manner and to such an extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled trailer or semitrailer on that portion of the highway, street, alley, public way or public place ordinarily used for vehicular parking.

C. This section shall not apply to the speed display trailer (PARET) units placed, or authorized to be placed, on public roadways by the City of Santa Clarita or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89; Ord. 01-1, 1/9/01; Ord. 04-11 § 1, 8/24/04)

12.64.110 Bus Loading Zones.

An operator shall not park or stop any vehicle except a bus in any place marked by the Director as a bus loading zone as provided in this section. No bus shall stop in any such bus loading zone longer than necessary to load or unload passengers, except at a terminus. Such bus loading zones shall be indicated by appropriate signs or curb markings, or both. The Director shall place signs or markings or both at such locations where traffic conditions are such that he deems it necessary to establish such bus loading zone. Unless otherwise specified by the Council, such loading zone shall not exceed eighty (80) feet in length. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.120 Passenger Loading.

A. An operator shall not park or stop for any purpose other than a stop of not to exceed three (3) minutes to load or unload passengers at any time in any of the following places when there shall be in place appropriate markings or signs so placed by authority of the Director in accordance with this title:

1. For a distance of thirty (30) feet along any curb at the main entrance to any hotel;

2. At any curb in front of any portion of the main entrance and outside vestibule of any theater during any time such theater is open for public performance;

3. In any passenger loading zone so marked by the Director.

4. For a distance of one hundred (100) feet along the south side of Wiley Canyon Road starting easterly four hundred five (405) feet from the beginning of the curb return at Orchard Village Road.

B. The Director may place curb paint markings at the places specified by subsections (A)(1) and (2) above and shall place such markings at those other locations at which the Council finds that traffic conditions are such as to make passenger loading zones feasible. (Ord. 96-1, 1/9/96; Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.130 Alleys—Parking Limits.

An operator shall not park or stop in any alley for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials, or both. Such operator shall not stop for the loading or unloading of passengers for more than three minutes or for the loading or unloading of materials for more than 20 minutes at any time in any alley. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.140 Temporary Restrictions Authorized When.

Whenever the Director finds that traffic congestion or traffic hazard is likely to result from the operation, stopping, standing or parking of vehicles during the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings or functions, or during the construction, alteration, repair, sweeping or improvement of any highway, or for other reason, may place or cause to be placed temporary signs prohibiting the operation, stopping, standing or parking of vehicles during the period such condition exists. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.150 Removal of Vehicle Parked in Temporarily Restricted Area.

If an operator parks any vehicle contrary to the provisions of Section 12.64.140 for a period of time exceeding 24 hours, the Police Department shall move such vehicle to the nearest safe place on the highway. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.160 Second removal of Illegally Parked Vehicle.

If the an officer, pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.64.150, or of this section, moves a vehicle to a place where parking is prohibited by Section 12.64.140, if and when the presence of such vehicle at such place also prevents or interferes with the construction, alteration or improvement of the highway, the officer shall move such vehicle again. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.170 Violation of Part 1 Provisions—Additional Violations—Fines.

A. When a notice of a violation of any provision of this Part 1 is attached to a vehicle in the City pursuant to Section 41103 of the Vehicle Code and thereafter, the vehicle remains parked in the same place for an additional period of time exceeding the time permitted by this Part 1, such additional parking shall constitute an additional violation, except that regardless of the length of time a vehicle is parked during a particular calendar day, such parking shall not constitute more than three violations.

B. Each additional violation described in subsection A of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $2.00. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

Part 2. Restrictions and Prohibitions

12.64.200 Vehicles Parked On Highway for More Than 72 Consecutive Hours—Removal.

A. No operator of any vehicle shall leave said vehicle parked or left standing, and no registered owner of such vehicle shall permit or allow said vehicle to remain parked or left standing, upon any highway in the City for a period longer than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours. Any such vehicle shall be subject to removal by an Enforcement Officer of the City of Santa Clarita. An Enforcement Officer may cause the removal of every vehicle which has been parked or left standing upon a highway for more than 72 consecutive hours to a safe place.

B. For the purposes of this section, a vehicle shall be deemed to have been parked or left standing when it has not been moved more than one hundred and fifty (150) feet from its original parked or stopped position. Distance in feet shall be measured from the curb-face abutting its original stopped position, or if there is no curb-face present, then measured from the lot line or boundary of the lot abutting its original stopped position.

C. As used in this section, the words “safe place” include, but are not confined to, any garage, parking lot or open space owned by, maintained by or under the jurisdiction of the City, and also every privately-owned garage the owner or proprietor of which will accept such vehicle. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89; Ord. 23-2 § 2 (Exh. A), 4/25/23)

12.64.210 Removal of Ignition Key When Parking.

Every operator who parks a motor vehicle upon any highway shall first lock the ignition, remove the key, and take such key, unless a licensed operator remains in such motor vehicle, in which case such licensed operator before leaving such vehicle shall first lock the ignition, remove the key, and take such key. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.220 Parking on Steep Grades.

Whenever the Director has placed or caused to be placed appropriate signs, an operator shall not park a vehicle on any highway unattended when upon any grade exceeding three percent within any business or residence district without blocking the wheels of the vehicle by turning them against the curb. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.230 Parking Parallel with Curb.

Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be parked within 18 inches of the left-hand curb facing in the direction of traffic moving upon any one-way street unless the Director has posted signs in accordance with the provisions of this Title. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.240 Angle Parking.

Whenever the Council finds that the width of a highway and traffic conditions are such that the parking of vehicles at an angle to the curb instead of parallel to the curb will not impede traffic, and that there is need for the additional parking space which parking at an angle will provide, the Director shall indicate at what angle traffic conditions make it desirable that vehicles should be parked by placing parallel white lines on the surface of the roadway. On such portions of such highways, whether such lines were painted before or after the effective date of this ordinance, an operator shall not stop, stand or park any vehicle except between, at the angle indicated by, and parallel to both such adjacent white lines, with the nearest wheel not more than one foot from the curb. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.250 Double Parking Prohibited.

A. A person shall not park any vehicle on the roadway side of a vehicle which is stopped, parked, or standing on a highway at the curb or edge of the roadway.

B. For the purpose of this section “roadway” is defined as that portion of the street which is improved.

C. This section does not prohibit any action prohibited by Section 22500 of the Vehicle Code or any other state law. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.255 Parking Against Red Curb.

A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle adjacent to a curb that is designated by red paint, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21458, except that a bus may stop in a red zone marked or posted as a bus loading zone. Any curb that is designated as such by red paint, shall only be done at the direction and authorization of the City Engineer. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.260 Commercial Vehicle Prohibition.

It shall be unlawful to park a commercial vehicle, as defined in the California Vehicle Code, on any street in a residential zone, as defined in the City of Santa Clarita Zoning Code, at any time, except that the following shall be permitted:

A. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of less than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds.

B. Vehicles while in the act of loading or unloading passengers, material, or merchandise.

C. Vehicles when necessarily in use for construction work being performed in the immediate vicinity.

D. Vehicles engaged in performing a service activity on the adjacent lot or parcel of land. (Ord. 90-24, 9/25/90; amend. Ord. 91-6, 2/12/91)

12.64.265 Posted No Parking.

Whenever the City Council finds that the parking of vehicles at all or certain hours of the day upon any portion of a highway a traffic hazard or impedes the free flow of traffic, or both, the City Engineer, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22507, shall erect signs stating that on such portion of such highway parking is prohibited at all or certain hours of the day. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.270 Parking on Private Driveways or Other Public and Private Property.

A. A person shall not park any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, in any private driveway or upon any public or private property, except a highway, without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of such driveway or property.

B. This action does not prohibit any act, either expressly authorized or expressly prohibited by either Section 602 of the Penal Code, or Section 21113 of the State Vehicle Code. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.280 Dual Roadways.

Where a highway includes two or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, a person shall not park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of any such roadway, unless the Council finds that such standing or parking will not constitute a traffic hazard or impede the free flow of traffic and the appropriate sign has been posted. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.290 Parking Between Curb and Adjacent Property.

A person shall not park any motor vehicles between any curb and the adjacent property line, except at those locations where the Council finds that such parking will not constitute a traffic hazard or public nuisance and the appropriate sign has been posted. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.300 Blocking Highway.

A person shall not park any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon any highway where the roadway is bordered by adjacent curbs unless not less than eight feet of the width of the paved or improved or main traveled portion of such highway opposite such parked vehicle is left clear and unobstructed for the free passage of other vehicles. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.310 Vehicle Transporting Hazardous Materials—Lawful Restrictions.

A. For purposes of this section:

1. A motor vehicle is attended when the person in charge of the vehicle is on the vehicle, awake, and not in a sleeper berth, or is within 100 feet of the vehicle and has the within his or her unobstructed field of view.

2. A qualified representative of a motor carrier is a person who:

a. Has been designated by the carrier to attend the vehicle;

b. Is aware of the nature of the hazardous material or substance contained in the vehicle he or she attends;

c. Has been instructed on the procedures he or she must follow in emergencies concerning hazardous materials or substances;

d. Is authorized to move the vehicle and has the means and ability to do so.

B. A vehicle transporting a hazardous material or substance as identified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations must be attended at all times by its driver or a qualified representative of the motor carrier that operates it, and shall not be parked on any highway, highway shoulder, street, alley, public way or public place, or within five feet of the traveled portion thereof, within a residential zone, or within 1,000 feet of any school, or within 300 feet of any bridge or tunnel, except for brief periods when mechanical or equipment failure or disablement or malfunction of the vehicle, or the necessities of operation require the vehicle to be parked and make it impractical to park the vehicle in any other place.

C. Repair, maintenance, refuse, utility, termite and pesticide vehicles, fuel delivery vehicles, and vehicles delivering life support and health commodities, while servicing residential areas or schools, are exempt from the provisions of subsection B of this section. Additionally, such exempt vehicles need not be attended while the drivers are performing duties that are evident and necessary as the operator of the vehicle or the provider of the service.

D. The rules of this section does not relieve a driver from any obligation imposed by federal, state or local laws relating to the transportation of hazardous materials or explosives, motor carrier safety regulations, or the placement of warning signs or devices when a motor vehicle is stopped on a public street or highway. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.320 Blocking Driveways on Private Streets.

A. A person shall not park any vehicle in front of a driveway on a private street which is open to the public.

B. This section does not prohibit any action prohibited by Section 22500 of the State Vehicle Code. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.330 Parking in Intersection.

A person may park within an intersection adjacent to the curb if the City Council finds, pursuant to Section 22500 of the California Vehicle Code, that the width of the highway and traffic conditions are such that such parking will not constitute a traffic hazard or impede the free flow of traffic. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.340 Parking Vehicles for Sale or Rent.

A person shall not park any vehicle or cause any vehicle to be parked on any highway for the purpose of displaying such vehicle or equipment on such vehicle for either sale or rent. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.345 Vehicle Maintenance in Public Parking.

No person shall perform and maintenance, repair or similar operation on any vehicle in a parking area unless the vehicle is parked in a parking area specifically designated for such operations. The provisions of this section do not prohibit the operator of any vehicle which is disabled from making or causing to be made in an expeditious manner the repairs necessary to enable such vehicle to be moved to a parking area designated for vehicle maintenance and repair. (Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.350 Special Areas—Parking Prohibition Authority.

At any place for a distance not to exceed 100 feet where the Director finds that parking would unduly hamper the free flow of traffic, or endanger public health or safety, the Director may place appropriate signs or markings prohibiting such parking. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.360 Areas Adjacent to Schools.

Whenever the Director finds that parking adjacent to any school property would unduly hamper the free flow of traffic or otherwise constitute a traffic complication, the Director shall place appropriate signs or markings prohibiting such parking. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.370 Areas Near Fire Hydrants on Private Roads.

A. An operator shall not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant on any private road except when such vehicle is attended by a licensed operator or chauffeur who is seated in the front seat and who can immediately move such vehicle in case of necessity.

B. This section does not prohibit any action prohibited by Section 22514 of the State Vehicle Code. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.390 Restricted Parking Area.

Whenever any parking area or portion of a parking area is assigned for the exclusive use of the occupants of a facility or the occupants of a portion of a facility and at, in or near such parking area or portion of a parking area there is a legible sign stating either that such parking area or portion of a parking area is exclusively assigned or that parking is prohibited, or both, a person, other than an occupant of the facility or an occupant of the portion of the facility to which such parking area or portion of a parking area is assigned, shall not park any vehicle in such parking area or portion of a parking area. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89; amend. Ord. 93-16, 9/28/93)

12.64.400 Physically Handicapped Persons—On-street Vehicle Parking.

Whenever the Council designates any on-street vehicle parking space for the exclusive use of physically handicapped persons whose vehicles display either one of the distinguishing license plates issued to disabled persons pursuant to Section 22511.5 or to disabled veterans as specified in Section 9105 of the California Vehicle Code, an operator of any vehicle not displaying one of the aforesaid distinguishing license plates shall not park such vehicle in such parking space. The Director shall place blue paint markings at each such parking space in the manner specifically set forth in the State Vehicle Code, and shall indicate the parking space or spaces by signs or other suitable means. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.410 Physically Handicapped Persons—Off-street Parking Facilities.

Whenever the Council designates stalls or spaces in an off-street parking facility, owned or operated by the City, for the exclusive use of physically handicapped persons whose vehicles display either one of the distinguishing license plates issued to disabled persons pursuant to Section 22511.5 or to disabled veterans as specified in Section 9105 of the State Vehicle Code, an operator of any vehicle not displaying one of the distinguishing license plates shall not park such vehicle in such parking space. The designation shall be made by posting immediately adjacent to, and visible from, each stall or space, a sign consisting of a profile view of a wheelchair with occupant in white on a blue background. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.420 Taxicab Stands—Location Authorized When.

Whenever the City in granting a taxicab operator’s license pursuant to this Code specifies any taxicab stand or stands, such location or locations shall be official taxicab stands. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.430 Taxicab Stands—Marking.

The Director shall designate any taxicab stands by the use of white paint on the curb, and shall cause such stands to be marked or signposted with appropriate markings or signposts. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.440 Taxicab Stands—Use Restrictions.

The operator of any vehicle, including the operator of a taxicab, except the operator of a taxicab to which a taxicab stand has been assigned, shall not park such vehicle in any taxicab stand. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

Part 3. Tow Away Zones

12.64.510 Council Findings.

If the Council finds that the volume of traffic or other conditions at any location are such that the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter prohibiting or restricting parking by the imposition of criminal penalties is not sufficient to prevent the illegal parking of vehicles, it may direct the Director to post at such locations signs reading “Tow Away Zone,” or otherwise informing the public that illegally parked vehicles will be removed. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.520 Removal by Police.

The Police Department shall remove from the highway to a garage, or other place of safety, any vehicle which has been parked at a location at which there is a sign erected pursuant to Section 12.64.510 if such vehicle is parked in violation of any provision of this chapter. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.530 Notice to Owner of Removed Vehicle.

Whenever the Police Department removes a vehicle from a highway as authorized by this Part 3, and it knows or is able to ascertain from the registration records in the vehicle or from the registration records of the California Department of Motor Vehicles the name and address of the owner, the Police Department immediately shall notify in writing such owner of the fact of such removal, the grounds for removal, and of the place to which such vehicle has been removed. In the event any such vehicle is stored in a public garage, the Police Department shall deliver a copy of such notice to the proprietor of the garage. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)

12.64.540 Notice to Department of Motor Vehicles Required When.

Whenever the Police Department removing a vehicle from a highway under this Part 3 does not know and is not able to ascertain the name of the owner of such vehicle, and in the event the vehicle is not returned to the owner within a period of 120 hours, the Police Department immediately shall send a written report of such removal by mail to the State Department of Motor Vehicles, and shall file a copy of such notice with the proprietor of any public garage in which the vehicle may be stored. The Police Department shall make such report on a form furnished by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The report shall include a complete description of the vehicle, the date, time and place from which removed, the grounds for such removal, and the name of the garage or place where the vehicle is stored. (Ord. 89-12, 6/27/89)