Chapter 10.60
MOTOR VEHICLES EMITTING FALSE ALARMS WHILE PARKED IN PUBLIC PARKING FACILITIES
Sections:
10.60.030 Enforcement of false alarms.
10.60.040 Excessive false alarms – Penalties.
10.60.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall be applied to the terms utilized in this chapter, unless it appears from the context that a different meaning is intended:
A. “Emergency situation” means any situation where life or property is in physical jeopardy.
B. “False alarm” means an alarm signal emitting from a motor vehicle necessitating a response by the police department where an emergency situation does not exist.
C. “Motor vehicle” or “vehicle” means a vehicle which is self-propelled as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 415.
D. “Public parking facility” means any property improved for the purposes of parking motor vehicles, which property is owned and under the direct control of the legislative body of the city of Covina. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)
10.60.020 Time restriction.
A. It is unlawful for any person to cause, allow or permit any alarm located in a motor vehicle registered in the name of or driven by such person to emit any audible sound constituting a false alarm for a period of more than five minutes while parked in a public parking facility within the city of Covina.
B. The time shall be calculated based upon the emission of the first audible sound ending five minutes thereafter notwithstanding any variation or delay in the emissions of audible sounds. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)
10.60.030 Enforcement of false alarms.
Any vehicle parked in, upon, or within a public parking facility is subject to enforcement under this chapter. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)
10.60.040 Excessive false alarms – Penalties.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, allow or permit a false alarm to be emitted from a motor vehicle registered in the name of or driven by such person. Any violation of this chapter shall be an infraction. The first violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00. The second infraction occurring within one year of the first violation shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $200.00. Every violation occurring after the second violation within one year of the first violation shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)
10.60.050 Nuisance.
Any violation of this chapter is declared a public nuisance which is subject to abatement pursuant to the procedures described in this chapter and is authorized by law. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)
10.60.060 Abatement.
A. The police department in order to abate the public nuisance created by a vehicle in violation of this chapter may undertake such procedures as are reasonably necessary to deactivate the alarm.
B. Should the police department be unable to deactivate the alarm, the vehicle shall be removed in accordance with the provisions of California Vehicle Code Section 22651.5. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)
10.60.070 Signage.
All public parking facilities which are subject to this chapter shall have erected and placed appropriate signs giving notice of the regulations imposed by this chapter. Such notice shall be posted in conspicuous places including the entrance and shall be not less than 17 by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height. (Ord. 96-1802 § 2, 1996.)