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CC 07-15-2025 Item No. 12. Oversized Parking Ordinance Study Session _Staff PresentationCity Council Study Session Oversized Vehicle Parking Ordinance Update Floy Andrews Interim City Attorney Oversized Vehicle Parking • Consider amending Municipal Code • Address enforcement loopholes, resident concerns, traffic circulation, safety and aesthetics • Balance quality of life, safety, legal risks and enforcement * City Work Program item • 11.24.130 (update current 72-hour parking limit) • 11.24.200 (vehicle removal, unchanged) • 11.28.010 (adding definition of oversized vehicle) • 11.28.020 (parking regulations updates, incorporating current restriction on living or sleeping in vehicles) Municipal Code Sections Affected Current Practice 72-hour limit for all vehicles parking on public streets within the City Municipal Code Section 11.24.130 • Complaint-driven enforcement process • Tire marking (not chalk) • Re-inspection after 72 hours Challenges in Current Enforcement • Vehicles move inches to avoid citation • Coordinated rotations among RV owners • Allows vehicles to stay indefinitely • Current Areas impacted: -Alves between Saich & Bandley (behind Target) -Stelling & Rainbow -Foothill/SCB and other intersections Enforcement Statistics • ~200 complaints annually, mostly RVs with tagging of 5+ vehicles/week • Citations 2024-25: Only ~21 issued to RVs • Revenue: ~$1,700 from RV citations • Total Revenue: ~$180,000 from all citations April 22 Planning Commission Meeting Considered ordinance requiring: 1. oversized vehicles to move at least 1,500 feet after 27 hours 2. banning parking in residential districts 3. banning parking near customer-facing retail * Residents expressed concern, indicating they needed the 72 hours parking to load/unload RVs and for visitors June 24 Planning Commission Meeting (1) • Citywide ban on parking oversized vehicles • “Oversized vehicles” (Vehicle Code §670) Vehicles exceeding: 22 feet in length 6 feet in width, and 7 feet in height (includes trailers, boats, and loads) * would not include even the largest pickup trucks (Ford F-450 Super Duty or Tesla Cybertruck) June 24 Planning Commission Meeting (2) Exceptions • 3-hour parking allowed during daytime (6AM –8PM) 1-hour parking allowed overnight (8PM –6AM) • Residents may obtain annual permits to park oversized vehicles on City streets (no charge)* • Nonresidents may obtain five 72-hour permits to park annually (but not within 1,500 feet of a commercial district)* * Vehicles must be moved every 72 hours to new location at least1,500 ft away and stay away 72 hours. June 24 Planning Commission Meeting (3) • City should install signage at Alves and Bandley and other problem areas Pros & Cons of General Ban Proposal • Pros: Allows signage at only City entrances, clears streets, improves visibility, deters long-term parking on City streets • Cons: Daytime and nighttime time limit exceptions are difficult to manage Resident Permit Program (exception) Residential households may obtain annual permit for vehicle(s) owned by resident • No charge for permit • Park up to 72 hours, then move 1,500 ft • Unlimited 72-hour periods allowed if moved properly “Resident” Defined • Physically resides in a dwelling in a residential district within the City as their primary residence • Provides evidence of residency, such as: -CA driver’s license/ID card showing the resident address -utility bill displaying person’s name and address -current lease or deed showing person’s occupancy -current vehicle registration showing residential address -documentation acceptable to the Public Works Director • A person need not own the dwelling unit to qualify as a resident. Nonresident Permit Program (exception) Up to 5 permits per year (max. 15 days) for nonresidents • Park up to 72 hours then move from City • If using a second permit, move at least 1,500 ft • No parking near commercial zones* *would need to provide map of commercial and residential zones when issuing permits Pros & Cons of Resident Permits •Pros: Residents maintain RV use close to home, balances needs of residents and their guests, eliminates need for multiple permits • Cons: Potential near-permanent street parking Neighborhood aesthetic concerns Pros & Cons of Nonresident Permits •Pros: Nonresidents, tourists, and others may visit Discourages long-term dwelling Provides limited access to otherwise more permanent RVs • Cons: Nonresidents may have no other nearby options Nonresidents may view this rule as unwelcoming Signage Rules and Costs • If City posts signs, enforcement is more efficient, initial warning not required • Citywide parking regulations allows for signs to be placed at City entrances only: cost ~$25,000, 50 signs • Otherwise, signs must be posted on each City block: cost prohibitive($513 per sign, $2,000 per block) Local Cities’ Large Vehicle Solutions Redwood City: Vehicles may not park on public streets at night, with limited exceptions. Saratoga: Vehicles may not park in residential areas for more than 72 hours; must be moved 1 mile . Los Gatos: Vehicles may not park where posted or on designated streets. Mountain View: Vehicles may not park on certain streets adjacent to class II bikeways or on certain narrow streets. Legal Context • Mountain View litigation & settlement • Redwood City’s safe RV lot approach • Fremont litigation –unhoused, not parking ordinance Grants Pass Supreme Court Opinion (2024) Shifts rules in Ninth Circuit Fiscal and Operational Considerations • Signage: $513 per sign, $25,000 for entrance-only signage • Signage: one city clock $2,000 (well over $3M for city) • Permit processing cost: ~$46.50 each permit • Anticipated volume: 3-4 permits/week (may require more staff time if volume is greater) • FY 2024 parking citation revenue: ~$180,000 • Uniform Citywide rules: 1) reduce confusion and cost and 2) allows for entrance signs only Other Local Options for Parking We talked to: • West Valley Rotating Safe Car Park Program • Amigos de Guadelupe • 211 line • Bill Wilson Center None of these facilities allow RVs We talked to West Valley Community Services manager who confirmed that they do not accept RVs, but they do allow camper vans Next Steps for Council Council to consider: • General Ban on oversized vehicles parking -day/night parking windows • Resident permit program • Nonresident permit program • Signage strategy • Other options? 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