Chapter 10.32
STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING1

Sections:

10.32.010    Application.

10.32.015    Definitions.

10.32.020    Parking space – Marking – Compliance.

10.32.030    Prohibition – Parkways and sidewalks.

10.32.040    Prohibition – Where no parking signs posted.

10.32.050    Prohibition – Temporary no parking or tow-away zones.

10.32.060    Prohibition – Highways.

10.32.070    Prohibited parking – Authorized signs or curb markings.

10.32.080    Municipal parking district lots – Time limit parking.

10.32.090    Parking adjacent to schools.

10.32.100    Parking on narrow streets.

10.32.110    Parking on city property.

10.32.111    Parking meter zones designated.

10.32.112    Parking meter, pay-by-space and pay-and-display specifications and hours of operation.

10.32.113    Maximum parking time limits and parking rates in parking meter zones.

10.32.114    Operation of parking meters and pay-by-space/pay-and-display machines by vehicle operators.

10.32.115    Illegal, overtime or expired parking in parking meter zones.

10.32.116    Maximum parking time – No extending machine time beyond maximum.

10.32.117    Vehicles exempt from metered parking requirements.

10.32.118    Defacing, destroying, etc., of parking meters and machines.

10.32.119    Use of parking meter and machine funds.

10.32.120    Parking on hills.

10.32.130    Parking on one-way roadways.

10.32.140    Parking vehicles for sale or rent.

10.32.141    Offering vehicles for sale or rent from off-street parking facilities prohibited.

10.32.145    Vehicle operation and loitering.

10.32.150    Repealed.

10.32.160    Parking between curb and adjacent property line.

10.32.170    Parking for more than 72 consecutive hours prohibited.

10.32.180    All-night parking prohibited.

10.32.185    All-night parking – Exemptions.

10.32.190    Parking or storing of commercial vehicles, oversized vehicles, recreational vehicles, and other vehicles on public highways, streets or alleys.

10.32.200    Parking or storing of commercial vehicles.

10.32.210    Parking or storing of trailers, motor homes and motor vehicles.

10.32.220    Parking limits cumulative.

10.32.230    Schedule of fees – Vehicle parking in metered zones, municipal parking lots, and overnight parking lots and zones.

10.32.240    Trailers or semitrailers – Parking requirements.

10.32.250    Vehicles transporting hazardous materials – Parking restrictions.

10.32.260    Blocking highway or private street.

10.32.270    Blocking driveways on private streets.

10.32.280    Double parking prohibited.

10.32.290    Angle parking.

10.32.300    Removal of ignition key when parking.

10.32.010 Application.

A. The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.

B. The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on standing or parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions of the Vehicle Code of the state or of this title or other ordinances of the city prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times. (1964 Code § 16.54.)

10.32.015 Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

“Bus loading zone” means a public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the city which has been designated by the city engineer for the loading or unloading of passengers by a public carrier engaged in the transportation of passengers.

“Commercial vehicle” means a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under the California Vehicle Code, or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

“Front and side yards” means the open unoccupied space on the same lot with a main building, extending the full width of the lot and situated between the street line and the front line of the main building facing the street projected to the side lines of the lot. For the purposes of this section, “main building” shall not include a detached or attached garage.

“Gross combination weight rating” (GCWR) means the weight specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination or articulated vehicle. In the absence of a weight specified by the manufacturer, GCWR shall be determined by adding the GVWR of the power unit and the total unladed weight of the towed units and any load thereon.

“Gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR) means the weight specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

“Loading zone” means that space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading and unloading of passengers or materials.

“Oversized vehicle” shall be defined as any vehicle, whether motorized or nonmotorized, that exceeds 23 feet in length, or 80 inches in width or 96 inches in height regardless of its weight. Any extension caused by any mirror, load height or any accessory attached to such vehicle shall be considered part of the measured distance.

Notwithstanding the length, width, and height requirements for an oversized vehicle, the following vehicles shall also be considered oversized vehicles subject to the prohibitions contained in this chapter:

1. Buses as defined in the California Vehicle Code;

2. Trailer coaches as defined in the California Vehicle Code; and

3. Recreational vehicles as defined in this chapter.

“Park” means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading merchandise or passengers. For purposes of this definition a vehicle that is moved to a location or parking place that is within a 200-foot radius of its original location or parking place shall be deemed to be parked at the same original location.

“Parkway” means that portion of a street other than a roadway or sidewalk.

“Passenger loading zone” means the space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

“Pipe or pole dolly” means a vehicle, other than a motor vehicle, having one or more axles which axles, if there be more than one, are not more than 54 inches apart, and two or more wheels, used in connection with a motor vehicle solely for the purpose of transporting poles, timbers, pipes, or integral structural materials and connected with the towing vehicle both by chain, rope, cable, or drawbar, and by the load, without any part of the weight of the dolly resting upon the towing vehicle.

“Police officer” means every officer of the police department or any city employee authorized by the chief of police to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of this chapter.

“Recreational vehicle” shall be defined as a motor home, slide-in camper, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motor power, designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy. Recreational vehicle shall also include:

1. Camping Trailer. A vehicular portable unit mounted on wheels and constructed with collapsible partial sidewalls which fold for towing by another vehicle and unfold at the campsite and designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy;

2. Motor Home. A vehicular unit built on or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis, chassis cab or van, which becomes an integral part of the completed vehicle, designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy;

3. Slide-In Camper. A portable unit, consisting of a roof, floor and sides, designed to be loaded onto and unloaded from the bed of a pickup truck, and designed for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy and shall include a truck camper.

4. Travel Trailer. A portable unit, mounted on wheels, of such a size and weight as not to require special highway movement permits when drawn by a motor vehicle and for human habitation for recreational or emergency occupancy.

“Semitrailer” means a vehicle designed for carrying persons or property, used in conjunction with a motor vehicle, and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon, or is carried by, another vehicle.

“Stop,” when required, means complete cessation of movement.

“Storage” means the placing or parking of vehicles for a period in excess of 72 continuous hours.

“Streetcar” means a car, other than a railroad train, for transporting persons or property and operated upon rails, principally within the city.

“Taxi stand” means a public place alongside the curb of a street or elsewhere in the city which has been designated by the council as reserved exclusively for the use of taxicabs.

“Trailer” means a vehicle designed for carrying persons or property on its own structure and for being drawn by a vehicle. “Trailer” includes a semitrailer when used in conjunction with an auxiliary dolly, if the auxiliary dolly is of a type constructed to replace the function of the drawbar and the front axle or axles of a trailer.

“Truck tractor” means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load, other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and the load so drawn. As used in this section, “load” does not include items carried on the truck tractor in conjunction with the operation of the vehicle if the load carrying space for these items does not exceed 34 square feet.

“Unladed weight” means the weight of a vehicle equipped and ready for operation on the road including the body, fenders, oil in motor, radiator full of water, with five gallons of gasoline or equivalent weight of other motor fuel; also equipment required by law, and unless exempted under California Vehicle Code Section 661, any special cabinets, boxes or body parts permanently attached to the vehicle, and any machinery, equipment or attachment which is attendant to the efficient operation of the body or vehicle.

“Vehicle” means a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. (Ord. 20-09 § 2, 2020.)

10.32.020 Parking space – Marking – Compliance.

The traffic engineer is authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking spaces adjacent to curbs and in off-street parking lots of the city where authorized parking is permitted.

When such parking space markings are placed, subject to other and more restrictive limitations, no vehicle shall be stopped, left standing or parked other than within a single space. No person shall use off-street parking lots of the city for purposes other than the parking of motor vehicles. (Ord. 11-2002 § 10, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.55.)

10.32.030 Prohibition – Parkways and sidewalks.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within any parkway or sidewalk. (Ord. 11-2002 § 11, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.56.)

10.32.040 Prohibition – Where no parking signs posted.

The traffic engineer shall appropriately sign or mark places where no parking shall be permitted, and when so signed or marked no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in such places. (Ord. 11-2002 § 12, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.58.)

10.32.050 Prohibition – Temporary no parking or tow-away zones.

A. The chief of police or traffic engineer is authorized to erect or cause to be placed temporary no parking signs, or temporary no parking and tow-away signs, on highways, or portions thereof, when he or she determines that emergency traffic congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings or functions; or from highway repairs or construction; or from the movements of equipment, articles or structures of unusual size; or from the use of such highways for authorized purposes other than the normal flow of traffic.

B. When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall operate, park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions and provisions of such signs.

C. Any regularly employed officer of the police department is authorized to remove or cause the removal of any vehicle from any of such places signed or marked as a temporary no parking tow-away zone to a garage or other place of safety designated or maintained by the city. Such removal shall be accomplished pursuant to Section 22651 et seq. of the Vehicle Code of the state. (Ord. 11-2002 § 13, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.58-1.)

10.32.060 Prohibition – Highways.

A. The traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs indicating no stopping or parking on any highway as designated in the master plan of streets and highways.

B. When official signs are erected indicating no parking or stopping upon any highway, no person shall stand, stop or park a vehicle in any such designated place. (Ord. 11-2002 § 14, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.59.)

10.32.070 Parking prohibited – Authorized signs or curb markings.

When authorized signs or curb markings have been determined by the traffic engineer to be necessary and are in place giving notice thereof, no operator or any vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle adjacent to any such legible curb marking or sign in violation thereof. (Ord. 11-2002 § 15, 2011; Ord. 1222 § 4, 1973; 1964 Code § 16.60.)

10.32.080 Municipal parking district lots – Time limit parking.

A. Notwithstanding any other part of this chapter, an operator of a motor vehicle shall not stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle within a municipal parking district lot for longer than four hours in any 24-hour time period unless a valid parking permit is properly affixed or displayed upon said vehicle.

B. The parking time limits specified in subsection (A) of this section shall only be effective between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded. (Ord. 11-2002 § 16, 2011; Ord. 09-1968 § 1, 2009; Ord. 99-1858, 1999; 1964 Code § 16.61.)

10.32.090 Parking adjacent to schools.

A. The traffic engineer is authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any

street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.

B. When official signs are erected indicating no parking upon that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. (1964 Code § 16.62.)

10.32.100 Parking on narrow streets.

A. The traffic engineer is authorized to place signs or markings indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed 20 feet, or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs or markings when the width of the roadway does not exceed 30 feet.

B. When official signs or markings prohibiting parking are erected upon narrow streets as authorized in this section, no person shall park a vehicle upon any such street in violation of any such sign or marking. (1964 Code § 16.63.)

10.32.110 Parking on city property.

A. Whenever the city manager determines that the orderly, efficient conduct of the city’s business requires that parking or standing of vehicles on city property be prohibited, limited or restricted, the city manager shall have the power and authority to order signs to be erected or posted indicating that the parking of vehicles is prohibited, limited or restricted.

B. When signs authorized by the provisions of this section are in place giving notice thereof, no person shall park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of such signs.

C. The city council may also install, or cause to be installed, parking meters, pay-by-space machines, and/or pay-and-display machines within any parking meter zone in such numbers and in such places as may be necessary for the regulation, control, and inspection of the parking of vehicles therein. The city manager may authorize the temporary or permanent removal from service of parking meters, pay-by-space machines, and/or pay-and-display machines, by covering or other means.

D. The city manager may also authorize temporary periods of time in which parking meter zones will not be enforced. This shall be based upon a finding of public convenience and necessity, or upon a finding that parking revenue that would otherwise be collected by parking meters, pay-by-space machines, and/or pay-and-display machines will be secured by alternative means on a special event basis (i.e., contract for valet parking operation in lieu of metered parking). Any such action shall be based upon good traffic engineering principles. (Ord. 07-1942 § 11, 2007; Ord. 1232 § 2, 1973; 1964 Code § 16.64.)

10.32.111 Parking meter zones designated.

The following areas within the city are designated as parking meter zones:

A. The Town Center Specific Plan area;

B. Covina Vehicle Parking District No. 1;

C. The Shoppers Lane parking improvement area; and

D. Any future areas that may be designated by the city council by ordinance. (Ord. 11-2002 § 17, 2011; Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.112 Parking meter, pay-by-space and pay-and-display specifications and hours of operation.

A. Each parking meter shall be so designed and operated that, upon the expiration of the lawful time limit, it will indicate that the lawful parking period for its corresponding metered space has expired and in such case the right of such a vehicle to occupy the metered space shall cease.

B. Each pay-by-space machine and pay-and-display machine shall conspicuously display the applicable parking rates and instructions on its use. If instructions cannot be posted on the machine due to space limitations, they must be conspicuously posted not further than six feet away from the machine. If a pay-by-space machine or pay-and-display machine is stationed in a centralized location in a parking lot or parking structure, each drive aisle must conspicuously display a sign directing individuals to the machine. Upon expiration of the lawful parking period, the right of a vehicle to occupy the metered space shall cease.

C. The city council may determine hours of operation for parking meters, pay-by-space machines, and/or pay-and-display machines within any parking meter zone in order to facilitate the control of vehicle parking and may place signs indicating the hours of operation or other restrictions. (Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.113 Maximum parking time limits and parking rates in parking meter zones.

A. The maximum time limits for the parking of vehicles within any metered space shall be as provided by this title or other ordinances of the city council, which shall be conspicuously displayed by proper signs erected and maintained in the particular parking meter zone, or portion thereof.

B. The rates for parking in a parking meter zone, or portion thereof, shall be established by ordinance of the city council, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 22508. (Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.114 Operation of parking meters and pay-by-space/pay-and-display machines by vehicle operators.

A. When a vehicle is parked in any metered space, the operator of the vehicle shall, immediately after entering the metered space, deposit or cause to be deposited in the meter or machine controlling the space the proper United States coins or currency, credit card, debit card, or city prepaid card in the amount required by CMC 10.32.113(B) for the metered space. With respect to a parking meter or pay-by-space machine, the operator of the vehicle, after making the proper deposit, shall also immediately set in operation the timing mechanism, if any, in accordance with the posted directions of operation. With respect to a pay-and-display machine, the operator of the vehicle shall immediately cause the parking receipt provided by the machine to be placed face up on the driver’s-side dashboard of the vehicle.

B. Failure to make a proper deposit and to set the timing mechanism in operation, and (if applicable) failure to place the receipt on the vehicle dashboard as prescribed, shall constitute a violation of this title.

C. Upon compliance with the requirements of subsection (A) of this section, the metered space may be lawfully occupied by the vehicle during the period of time corresponding to the amount of United States coins, currency, or city prepaid parking card deposited, up to the maximum time limit prescribed for the area in which the metered space is located.

D. The director of finance shall be authorized to develop procedures for the collection of revenue from parking meters and pay-by-space/pay-and-display machines.

E. Notwithstanding compliance with this section, vehicles otherwise prohibited from parking in metered spaces by state law, by any provision of this code or by posted signage may not park in metered spaces. (Ord. 11-2002 § 18, 2011; Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.115 Illegal, overtime or expired parking in parking meter zones.

A. No vehicle shall remain in a metered space when its corresponding parking meter indicates either illegal use of the metered space or that the lawful parking period for the metered space has expired. The indication showing illegal or expired parking during the hours of operation for any parking meter while a vehicle is parked in a metered space adjacent to the parking meter shall be prima facie evidence that the motor vehicle has been parked in violation of this title.

B. No vehicle shall remain in a metered space governed by a pay-by-space machine when the machine indicates either illegal use of the metered space or that the lawful parking period for the metered space has expired. The indication showing illegal or expired parking during the hours of operation for any pay-by-space machine while a vehicle is parked in a metered space governed by that pay-by-space machine shall be prima facie evidence that the motor vehicle has been parked in violation of this title.

C. No vehicle shall remain in a metered space governed by a pay-and-display machine when the parking receipt issued by the machine and placed on the vehicle’s dashboard indicates that the lawful parking period for the metered space has expired. The display of a pay-and-display machine parking receipt indicating expired parking, during the hours of operation for any pay-and-display machine, while a vehicle is parked in a metered space governed by that pay-and-display machine shall be prima facie evidence that the motor vehicle has been parked in violation of this title. (Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.116 Maximum parking time – No extending machine time beyond maximum.

A. Parking a vehicle in a metered space shall be lawful up to the maximum time posted on the parking meter, pay-by-space machine or pay-and-display machine, or on corresponding signs. No vehicle shall be parked in a metered space beyond the maximum posted time limit for that metered space.

B. No person shall deposit in a parking meter, pay-by-space machine or pay-and-display machine any coins, currency, credit card, debit card, or city prepaid card, for the purpose of extending the parking time period of a vehicle beyond the posted maximum time allowed for parking. (Ord. 11-2002 § 19, 2011; Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.117 Vehicles exempt from metered parking requirements.

Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, CMC 10.32.113, 10.32.114, 10.32.115 and 10.32.116 shall not apply to any of the following:

A. Vehicles displaying a special identification license plate or placard issued to a disabled person; vehicles of disabled veterans; emergency vehicles and other vehicles expressly exempted from observing metered parking regulations pursuant to the applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code;

B. Vehicles displaying a temporary permit, issued by the city manager, the police chief, or their designees, authorizing individuals conducting business at city facilities during regular business hours to park their vehicles in a metered space free of charge. Any such permit shall clearly display on its face the signature of the city manager, the police chief, or authorized designee, and shall clearly display the date and time said permit will expire. The operator of the vehicle subject to a temporary permit authorized by this subsection shall immediately cause the permit to be placed face up on the driver’s-side dashboard of the vehicle;

C. Vehicles displaying an employee parking permit, issued by the city manager, the police chief, or their designees, authorizing city of Covina employees to park their vehicles in a metered space free of charge. The issuing authority may set the term and expiration date for any employee permit; provided, however, that no such permit shall remain effective after the date the employee is no longer employed by the city. Employee permits may not be transferred to another employee without the consent of the issuing authority. Any employee issued a permit shall immediately cause it to be placed face up on the driver’s-side dashboard of the employee’s vehicle; and

D. Vehicles displaying a permit, issued by the police chief, or his or her designee, authorizing sworn law enforcement officers employed by agencies outside of the city, but who commute to and from work via the Covina Metrolink Station, to park their vehicles at public transit parking lots free of charge, in order to improve transit rail security by encouraging said law enforcement officers to commute on the Metrolink system. (Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.118 Defacing, destroying, etc., of parking meters and machines.

No person shall deface, injure, tamper with, open or willfully break, destroy or impair the usefulness of any parking meter, pay-by-space machine or pay-and-display machine installed under the provisions of this title. (Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.119 Use of parking meter and machine funds.

Revenues generated from on-street and off-street vehicle parking within the designated parking meter zones shall be accounted for separately from other city funds and may be used only for the following purposes:

A. All expenses of administration of the metered parking program;

B. All expenses of installation, operation, maintenance, and control of metered parking equipment and facilities within or designed to serve the parking meter zones;

C. All expenses for the control of traffic (including pedestrian and vehicle safety, comfort and convenience) which may affect or be affected by vehicle parking in the designated parking meter zones, including the enforcement of traffic regulations as to such traffic; and

D. Any other expenditures within or for the benefit of the designated parking meter zones as the city council may, by resolution, determine to be legal and appropriate.

Notwithstanding the above, revenues generated from off-street vehicle parking within the Metrolink lot and Metrolink structure shall return to the city’s Proposition A local return transportation fund. (Ord. 07-1942 § 12, 2007).

10.32.120 Parking on hills.

No person shall park or leave standing any vehicle unattended on a highway, or when upon any grade exceeding three percent within any business or residence district without blocking the wheels of such vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means. (1964 Code § 16.65.)

10.32.130 Parking on one-way roadways.

A. Subject to other and more restrictive limitations, a vehicle may be stopped or parked within 18 inches of the left-hand curb, facing in the direction of traffic movement, upon any one-way street unless signs are in place prohibiting such stopping or standing.

B. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways and traffic is restricted to one direction upon any such roadway, no person shall stand or park a vehicle upon the left-hand side of such one-way roadway unless signs are in place permitting such standing or parking.

C. The traffic engineer is authorized to determine when standing or parking shall be prohibited upon the left-hand side of any one-way street or when standing or parking may be permitted upon the left-hand side of any one-way roadway of a highway having two or more separate roadways and shall erect signs giving notice thereof. (1964 Code § 16.66.)

10.32.140 Parking vehicles for sale or rent.

No person shall sell, rent, offer for sale or rent, give away, solicit the sale or rental of, or expose for sale or rent any vehicle upon any highway without first having obtained a business license to do so. Said business license shall be properly displayed on the vehicle at all times while such vehicle is offered for sale or rent while parked upon any highway. (Ord. 11-2002 § 20, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.67.)

10.32.141 Offering vehicles for sale or rent from off-street parking facilities prohibited.

When signs not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height have been erected on any off-street parking facility, whether privately or publicly owned, or adjacent to the driveways providing access thereto, giving notice of the prohibition contained in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to park (as that term is defined in CMC 10.04.190) any motor vehicle upon any off-street parking facility, whether publicly or privately owned, for the purpose of selling, renting or offering the vehicle for sale or rent.

If a sign containing the words “for sale,” “for rent” or words of similar import is displayed on or within a motor vehicle parked upon an off-street parking facility, whether publicly or privately owned, it shall be presumed that the registered owner has parked the vehicle for the purpose of selling it or offering it for sale or rent.

Notice of violation of the provisions of this section shall be issued and prosecuted in accordance with Section 40200 et seq. of the Vehicle Code. (Ord. 11-2002 § 21, 2011; amended during 2009 republication; Ord. 1347 § 1, 1977.)

10.32.145 Vehicle operation and loitering.

A. No person shall operate any vehicle in any public or private parking area in such a manner that causes unnecessary noise, squealing of vehicle tires, motor racing, fast starting or stopping, or generation of electronic audio noise that can be heard outside the vehicle. Further, vehicle cruising throughout a public or private parking area without stopping in a vehicle stall is forbidden. No stopping or parking in traffic lanes within such parking areas which, by such action, causes one or more other vehicles to either stop behind or pass around is allowed.

B. No person or persons shall park a vehicle, loiter outside that vehicle or leave a vehicle unoccupied when not specifically engaged in customer activities at an adjoining business. No person may park a vehicle on public or private parking areas in excess of 30 minutes between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the next morning, without the express consent of the owner of said premises.

C. No person, after first being warned by a law enforcement officer, or where a sign or signs have been posted as set forth herein, shall loiter, stand, sit or lie in or upon any public or quasi-public sidewalk, street, curb, crosswalk, walkway area, mall or that portion of private property or parking area utilized for public use, so as to hinder or obstruct unreasonably the free passage of vehicles or pedestrians thereon; nor shall any person block or obstruct, or prevent the free access to, the entrance to any building open to the public.

D. Signs shall be posted in a conspicuous place at each entrance to the parking area or public place and shall be not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height, to the effect that the parking area or public place is subject to this regulation or any portion thereof. (Ord. 1695 § 2, 1989.)

10.32.150 Peddlers’ and vendors’ vehicles – Regulations.

Repealed by Ord. 23-05. (Ord. 96-1810 § 2, 1996; 1964 Code § 16.68.)

10.32.160 Parking between curb and adjacent property line.

A person shall not park any motor vehicle between any curb and the adjacent property line except at those locations where the traffic engineer determines that such parking will not constitute a traffic hazard or public nuisance. (Ord. 11-2002 § 22, 2011; 1964 Code § 16.69.)

10.32.170 Parking for more than 72 consecutive hours prohibited.

A. No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any motor vehicle shall park such vehicle upon any street, alley, or “public parking facility,” as that term is defined in CMC 10.60.010(D), for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours.

B. In the event that a motor vehicle is parked or left standing upon a street, alley or public parking facility, in excess of a consecutive period of 72 hours, any member of the police department authorized by the police chief may remove such motor vehicle from the street, alley or public parking facility in the manner and subject to the requirements of Sections 22650 and 22652 of the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. 04-1905 § 2, 2004; 1964 Code § 16.70.)

10.32.180 All-night parking prohibited.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle on any highway or in any off-street parking lot of the city between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., excepting therefrom those streets abutting RD residential zone (multifamily) property, permissibly developed under prior zoning and building standards, where off-street parking no longer conforms to the provisions of CMC Title 17 (Zoning) and a ratio of 0.5 or less parking stalls per bedroom unit exists with a resultant acute shortage of off-street parking spaces. Also excepting therefrom those alleys that are not in conflict with traffic circulation. The city council finds that the following streets are exempt from the above restriction:

A. That portion of Prospero Drive from a point 663 feet north of the centerline of Badillo Street to a point 1,530 feet north of the centerline of Badillo Street;

B. That portion of Ruddock Street from Prospero Drive to the cul-de-sac east of the intersection with Vecino Drive;

C. That portion of Italia Street from Prospero Drive to Vecino Drive;

D. That portion of Vecino Drive between Italia Street and Ruddock Street;

E. That portion of the north side of Cypress Street, starting 524 feet west of the centerline of Azusa Avenue and continuing for 415 feet;

F. That north-south alley located 165 feet east of the centerline of Glendora Avenue south of Colver Place. (Ord. 20-03 § 1, 2020; Ord. 11-2002 § 23, 2011; Ord. 91-1732 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1579 § 1, 1984; Ord. 1416 § 1, 1979; 1964 Code § 16.74.)

10.32.185 All-night parking – Exemptions.

A. On-Street All-Night Parking Exemptions. The provisions of CMC 10.32.180 shall not apply to any person who owns or has possession, custody, or control of any family passenger vehicle and who obtains an on-street overnight parking permit from the police chief, or his or her designee, pursuant to the on-street overnight parking program as established by the police chief. The provisions of CMC 10.32.180 shall also not apply to any person who owns or has possession, custody, or control of any recreational vehicle, and who obtains an on-street overnight parking permit from the police chief, or his or her designee, pursuant to the on-street parking program as established by the police chief.

1. Upon a person’s request for an on-street overnight parking permit, the police chief, or his or her designee, shall issue the permit, but only after he or she has determined that all of the following conditions exist:

a. A permit fee has been paid to the finance department or police department.

b. The granting of the one-day on-street overnight parking permit will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare.

2. Upon a person’s application for an annual on-street overnight parking permit, upon a form provided by and filed with the finance department, the police chief, or his or her designee, shall issue the permit, but only after it is determined that all of the following conditions exist:

a. A permit fee has been paid to the finance department or the police department;

b. There are unusual circumstances that prevent the person from accommodating the parking of family passenger vehicles upon the resident’s on-site parking area;

c. The police chief, or his or her designee, has conducted an investigation of the property where the applicant resides and determines that there is insufficient parking area to park vehicles in the existing garage or driveway;

d. The garage on the property where the applicant resides is used primarily for the parking of vehicles;

e. The motor vehicle to be parked is neither a recreation vehicle nor a commercial vehicle or commercial motor vehicle, as those terms are defined in California Vehicle Code Section 260(a) or 15210(b);

f. The granting of the on-street overnight parking permit will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare.

3. On-street overnight permits shall be issued pursuant to subsection (A)(1) of this section only for the overnight on-street parking of family passenger vehicles and recreational vehicles. A recreational vehicle parked overnight pursuant to

an issued on-street overnight permit must be parked legally and in such a fashion that its parking does not constitute a hazard. Annual on-street overnight parking permits shall not be issued for the overnight on-street parking of recreational vehicles.

B. Municipal Parking District Lots All-Night Parking Exemptions. The provisions of CMC 10.32.180 shall not apply to persons that properly display a valid monthly municipal parking district permit.

C. Metrolink Lot All-Night Parking Exemptions. The provisions of CMC 10.32.180 shall not apply to persons that properly display a valid monthly Metrolink lot parking permit.

D. Metrolink Structure All-Night Parking Exemptions. The provisions of CMC 10.32.180 shall not apply to persons that properly display either a valid monthly Metrolink structure parking permit or a valid overnight Metrolink structure parking permit.

E. Civic Center Parking Structure All-Night Parking Exemptions. The provisions of CMC 10.32.180 shall not apply to persons that properly display either a valid monthly or overnight parking permit for the Covina Civic Center parking structure at 124 E. College Street.

F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither a commercial vehicle nor a commercial motor vehicle, as the terms are defined in California Vehicle Code Section 260(a) or 15210(b), may be parked overnight in any off-street public parking lot or public transit parking lot. (Ord. 20-03 § 2, 2020; Ord. 11-2002 § 24, 2011; Ord. 07-1942 § 13, 2007; Ord. 04-1905 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1645 § 1, 1987; Ord. 1522 § 1, 1982; Ord. 1502 § 1, 1981.)

10.32.190 Parking or storing of commercial vehicles, oversized vehicles, recreational vehicles, and other vehicles on public highways, streets or alleys.

A. No person shall park, store or leave standing, in excess of 30 minutes at any time, any commercial vehicle, oversized vehicle, or truck tractor with or without an attached trailer, semitrailer or pipe or pole dolly designed to be operated in combination with a truck tractor with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of more than 6,000 pounds or 80 inches in total exterior width (vehicle and load or combination thereof) or any recreational vehicle on any public highway, street or alley in the city unless:

1. The vehicle is making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, services or merchandise to or from any building or structure immediately adjacent to the property on which such building or structure is situated.

2. The vehicle is being used in conjunction with the making of alterations, repairs or construction upon any private or public property for which a building permit has previously been obtained.

3. The vehicle is an ambulance, paramedic or public safety vehicle involved in responding to an emergency.

4. The vehicle is being repaired under emergency conditions for less than eight hours. For purposes of this section “emergency repairs” shall mean sudden and unexpected repairs occurring during transport of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle belongs to federal, state or local authorities while conducting official government business.

6. The vehicle belongs to a public utility while necessarily in use in the construction, installation, or repair of any public utility or public highway, street or alley in which the public utility is located.

B. Regardless of weight, no person shall park or leave standing any detached trailer, travel trailer, camping trailer, boat, boat trailer, semitrailer or pipe or pole dolly upon any public highway, street or alley.

C. Notwithstanding the restrictions in subsections (A) and (B) of this section, a recreational vehicle that belongs to a resident or a guest of the household in which such resident resides may be parked or left standing for 72 hours provided all of the following conditions are met:

1. The recreational vehicle or vehicle with an attached camping, travel or boat trailer is parked on the street immediately adjacent to the property upon which the resident or guest is residing.

2. The recreational vehicle or vehicle with an attached camping, travel or boat trailer is not being used for overnight camping, lodging, residing in, or any use for accommodation purposes.

3. The recreational vehicle or vehicle with an attached camping, travel or boat trailer shall not visibly block or obscure any existing safety or traffic control device and shall otherwise meet all other parking requirements for the street upon which it is parked.

4. The police chief, or designee, determines that the parking of the recreational vehicle or vehicle with an attached camping, travel or boat trailer would not create a public safety hazard and is issued a temporary overnight parking permit by the chief or designee. Such a determination may be made based on factors, including, without limitation, the size of the recreational vehicle or vehicle with an attached camping, travel or boat trailer, the configuration of the street or the location of any nearby trees, improvements or structures.

5. Parking of the recreational vehicle or vehicle with an attached camping, travel or boat trailer shall be in compliance with other applicable laws and parking regulations otherwise imposed on the street, including but not limited to parking restrictions containing time limitations and parking restrictions imposed for the purpose of facilitating street sweeping.

D. Vehicles found parked in a public highway, street or alley in violation of this section may be removed from the public street and stored until such time as they are claimed by the registered owner. The cost of removal and storing shall be borne by the registered owner.

E. The traffic engineer shall erect signs giving notice of the parking prohibitions of this section at each major entrance to the city. (Ord. 20-09 § 3, 2020; Ord. 08-1961 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1263 § 1, 1974.)

10.32.200 Parking or storing of commercial vehicles.

A. It is unlawful to park or store any commercial vehicle on property which is zoned A-1, A-2, or any area zoned with a residential classification.

B. It is unlawful to park or store any commercial vehicle on property which is zoned for commercial purposes, except in a space which is reserved for a commercial vehicle parking purpose in the parking area required to be maintained in connection with such commercial use.

C. In any case where a fine is imposed for violation of the provisions of this section, such fines shall not be less than $25.00.

D. “Commercial vehicle,” as used in this section, means a vehicle of a type required to be registered under the Vehicle Code, used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation or profit or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

E. The provisions of this section shall not apply to commercial automobiles, pickups, panel delivery trucks and station wagons or the parking of a vehicle temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers. (Ord. 1427 § 1, 1979.)

10.32.210 Parking or storing of trailers, motor homes and motor vehicles.

A. Neither the required front yards nor those side yards abutting a street of property zoned with a residential classification shall be used for the purposes of parking trailers, boats, house trailers, motor homes, campers, camper bodies or motor vehicles except in the paved access, garage or paved parking areas as set forth in CMC 17.26.110.

B. Neither the required front yards nor those side yards abutting a street of property zoned with a residential classification shall be used for the purpose of storing trailers, boats, house trailers, motor homes, campers, camper bodies or motor vehicles, except in the following cases:

1. The parking of a vehicle in such front yard is to be used in actual bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling or construction of any building or structure upon such lot, not exceeding 60 days in any 12-month period;

2. Where the vehicles stored are completely screened from visibility from the abutting street and the manner of screening is in accordance with the provisions of CMC Title 17.

C. In any case where a fine is imposed for the violation of the provisions of this section, such fines shall not be less than $25.00.

D. “Storage,” as referred to in this section, means the placing or parking of vehicles for a period in excess of 72 continuous hours.

E. “Front and side yards,” as referred to in this section, are the open unoccupied space on the same lot with a main building, extending the full width of the lot and situated between the street line and the front line of the main building facing the street projected to the side lines of the lot. For the purposes of this section, “main building” shall not include a detached or attached garage. (Ord. 1425 § 1, 1979.)

10.32.220 Parking limits cumulative.

In any 12-hour period, no person shall stop, stand, or park any motor vehicle in a designated parking space and subsequently relocate the same vehicle to stop, stand, or park in another designated parking space for a cumulative period of time in excess of that allowed for any one space where:

A. Each space used by the person in the 12-hour period has a designated time limit under this code; and

B. Each space is 150 feet or less distant from any more of the other spaces used by the person in the 12-hour period. For the purposes of this section, the distance between spaces shall be measured between the points on the edge of each space which are closest to any point on the edge of the other space. (Ord. 99-1859, 1999.)

10.32.230 Schedule of fees – Vehicle parking in metered zones, municipal parking lots, and overnight parking lots and zones.

A. The schedule of fees for vehicle parking in metered zones, municipal parking lots, or overnight parking lots and zones is hereby established at those locations and rates set forth in this section as follows:

Fee or Service Name/Description

Fee

Municipal Lot – Monthly Permit (all lots 24 hrs. per day)

$20.00

Civic Center Parking Structure – Daily after First 4 Hours

$2.00

Civic Center Parking Structure – Overnight

$3.00

Metrolink Lot – Monthly Parking Pass – Covina Resident

$20.00

Metrolink Lot – Monthly Parking Pass – Non-Covina Resident

$45.00

Metrolink Structure – Daily

$2.00

Metrolink Structure – Monthly Parking Pass – Covina Resident

$10.00

Metrolink Structure – Monthly Parking Pass – Non-Covina Resident

$20.00

Metrolink Structure – Overnight

$3.00

Daily On-Street Overnight Parking Permit

$4.00

On-Street Overnight Parking – Annual Permit Application

$30.00

On-Street Overnight Parking – Annual Permit

$80.00

Vehicle Booting Fee

$195.00

B. This schedule of fees may be amended from time to time by ordinance of the city council. (Ord. 20-03 § 3, 2020; Ord. 11-2002 § 25, 2011; Ord. 09-1975 § 1, 2009; Ord. 07-1946 § 1, 2007.)

10.32.240 Trailers or semitrailers – Parking requirements.

A. A person shall not park any trailer or semitrailer upon any highway 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 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 or public place ordinarily used for vehicular parking. (Ord. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)

10.32.250 Vehicles transporting hazardous materials – Parking restrictions.

A. For purposes of this section:

1. A motor vehicle is attended when the person in charge of the vehicle is in the vehicle, awake, and not in a sleeper berth, or is within 100 feet of the vehicle and has it 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 contained in the vehicle he or she attends;

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 qualified representative of the motor carrier that operates it, and shall not be parked on any highway, highway shoulder or public place, or within five feet of the traveled portion thereof, within a residential zone, or within 1,000 feet of any school, hospital or water utility reservoir site, or within 300 feet of any bridge, except for brief periods of time when mechanical or equipment failure 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, pest extermination and pesticide vehicles, fuel delivery vehicles, and vehicles delivering life support and health commodities, while servicing residential areas, schools or hospitals, 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 service.

D. The rules of this section do not relieve the 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 highway. (Ord. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)

10.32.260 Blocking highway or private street.

A person shall not park any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon any highway or upon any private street which is open to the public, whether bordered by curbs or not, unless not less than 12 feet of the width of the paved or improved or main traveled portion of such highway or private street opposite such parked vehicle is left clear and unobstructed for the free passage of other vehicles. (Ord. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)

10.32.270 Blocking driveways on private streets.

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

B. This section does not authorize any action prohibited by Section 22500 of the Vehicle Code or by any other state law. (Ord. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)

10.32.280 Double parking prohibited.

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

B. This section does not authorize any action prohibited by Section 22500 of the Vehicle Code or any other state law. (Ord. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)

10.32.290 Angle parking.

Whenever the traffic engineer 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 traffic engineer 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 the ordinance codified in this chapter, 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. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)

10.32.300 Removal of ignition key when parking.

A. Every operator who parks a vehicle upon any highway or public place shall first lock the ignition, remove the key therefrom and take such key with him or her, 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 therefrom, and take such key with him or her.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any operator of a vehicle owned by a public utility or public agency while necessarily in use in the construction, installation, or repair of any public utility or public way or to the operator of any emergency vehicle. (Ord. 11-2002 § 26, 2011.)


1

For statutory provisions requiring submission of all local regulations concerning stopping or standing of vehicles on state highways to the State Highway Department, see Vehicle Code § 22506; for provisions authorizing local authorities to prohibit or restrict the parking or standing of vehicles on certain streets during all or a portion of the day, see Vehicle Code § 22507.