10.36.080 Removal from street or immobilization of vehicles—When permitted—Penalty.
A. Any regularly employed and salaried officer of the police department of the city or any regularly employed and salaried employee of the city who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of the city may remove or cause to be removed:
1. Any vehicle that has been parked or left standing on a street or highway for seventy-two (72) or more consecutive hours.
2. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway when such parking or standing is prohibited by resolution of this city and signs are posted giving notice of such removal.
3. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a 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 for the installation of underground utilities or the trimming or spraying of street trees or any other public service or safety use 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 vehicles would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided, that signs giving notice that such vehicles may be removed are erected or placed at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to their removal.
4. Any unattended vehicle which is found upon a highway with a registration expiration date in excess of one year before the date it is found on the highway. For purposes of this subdivision, the unattended vehicle shall be released to the owner or person in control of the vehicle only after the owner or person furnishes the storing law enforcement agency with proof of current registration. In lieu of obtaining proof of current registration, the storing agency may, in its discretion, issue a notice to appear for the registration violation.
5. Any vehicle under any of the circumstances described in Section 22651 of the California Vehicle Code.
6. Any vehicle, structure, trailer, semitrailer, or equipment—defined by California Vehicle Code Section 225 (“auxiliary dolly”), 242 (“camp trailer”), 243 (“camper”), 245 (“carry-all”), 324 (“fifth-wheel travel trailer”), 475 (“pole or pipe dolly”), 550 (“semitrailer”), 617 (“tow dolly”), 630 (“trailer”), 635 (“trailer coach”), 636 (“trailer bus”), 655 (“truck tractor”), or 667 (“utility trailer”)—that is parked or left standing on a street or highway and is either unattached to a motor vehicle or attached to a motor vehicle that may be removed pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22669(d). This subsection does not apply when the vehicle, structure, trailer, semitrailer, or equipment is parked and unattached to a motor vehicle for the limited purpose of loading, unloading, cleaning, or routine maintenance for less than four hours in any twenty-four (24) hour period.
B. In addition to, or as an alternative to removal of vehicles, any regularly employed and salaried officer of the police department of the city or any regularly employed and salaried employee of the city who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of the city may immobilize any vehicles under the requirements set forth in Section 22651.7 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles with parking violations outstanding, as provided in Section 22651.7. An administrative fee or fees for such immobilization may be established by resolution of the city council. Any vehicle immobilized as set forth herein shall remain immobilized until the conditions set forth in Section 22651.7 are met, and all applicable administrative fees are paid to the city.
C. Violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty specified in the resolution adopted by the city council pursuant to Section 10.56.010 of this title. (Ord. 2014-0038 § 1; prior code § 25.07.107)