Chapter 10.64
TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAMS
Sections:
10.64.060 Authority to issue permit.
10.64.080 Notification of requirements.
10.64.100 Application contents.
10.64.140 Trip reduction requirements.
10.64.150 Compliance schedule.
10.64.170 Failure to obtain permit.
10.64.010 Findings.
The city council of the city of Rancho Cordova hereby finds and determines that:
A. The city of Rancho Cordova is projected to experience a significant increase in employment and population growth over the next 20 years, which will result in a projected increase of existing peak hour traffic volumes.
B. Home-to-work employee commuting generates a significant level of vehicle trips, thereby contributing to traffic congestion, air pollution, and energy consumption problems.
C. The conventional response to relieving traffic congestion by expanding the capacity of the roadway system is no longer appropriate as the sole solution due to increasing construction and maintenance costs and decreasing revenues for such expenditures.
D. Ridesharing, transit, and bicycle usage among employees for home-to-work trips are simple and inexpensive alternative means of reducing peak-hour, single-occupant motor vehicle trips. A reduction in such trips can be expected to result in a reduction in traffic congestion, air pollution, and energy consumption impacts related to employment in the city.
E. While employers have traditionally provided parking facilities to accommodate employee vehicle trips, such employers should also be required to provide programs and incentives to encourage and accommodate ridesharing, transit, bicycle and pedestrian commuting by employees. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.020 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements and procedures whereby major employers located in city of Rancho Cordova will develop and implement programs designed to reduce the number of employee vehicle commute trips as part of a broad city of Rancho Cordova program to achieve the following objectives:
A. Reduce peak-hour traffic circulation and congestion by reducing the number of single-occupant motor vehicle trips associated with home-to-work commuting.
B. Reduce or delay the need for major transportation facility improvements by making more efficient use of existing facilities.
C. Reduce future air pollution concentrations and strive towards meeting federal ambient air pollution standards by reducing the number of single-occupant motor vehicle trips associated with home-to-work commuting.
D. Reduce the consumption of energy for transportation uses and thereby contribute to the national policy to increase energy self-sufficiency. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.030 Definitions.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following definitions shall govern the meaning of those terms used in this chapter:
“Common business location” means a single building, group of buildings, or group of work stations at a single site or contiguous sites.
“Commuter matching service” means any system, whether by computer, manual, or mapping methods, which matches commuters residing in one common area, working in another common area, and having approximately the same work starting and stopping times.
“Director” means the director of the public works department.
“Employee transportation coordinator” means an employee, tenant, property manager, property owner, or other appropriate person who has been designated to perform various duties related to meeting the transportation needs of employees of a firm, common work location, or other geographic employment area.
“Person” means a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association, cooperative, joint venture, agency, department, district or other individual or entity, either public or private, carrying on an enterprise or conducting any other activity, whether or not for profit.
“Preferential parking” means a program of selecting, assigning or designating vehicle parking spaces in which priority in the selection, assignment, or designation is given to specific classes of vehicles such that vehicles in that class may be parked in locations considered by the vehicle operator to be the best or most desirable location.
“Regular employee” means any employee who works for a business, firm, agency, or other person for three or more days per week and four or more hours per day. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 15-2022 § 4 (Exh. A); revised during 2008 codification; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 0748 § 1, 1988; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.040 Permit required.
Except as provided in RCMC 10.64.050, no person shall employ 100 or more persons at a common business location within the city of Rancho Cordova without first applying for and obtaining a trip reduction permit. Said permit must be obtained within 180 days of notification, as described in RCMC 10.64.080.
When a particular person has more than one common business location within the city of Rancho Cordova, each location employing 100 or more persons, that person may apply for and, subject to satisfactorily meeting the requirements of RCMC 10.64.140, may be granted a single trip reduction permit applicable to all business locations described in the approved permit. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.050 Exceptions.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the following uses and activities shall be specifically exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
A. Persons who employ fewer than 100 persons in the city of Rancho Cordova.
B. Temporary construction activities, including activities performed by engineers, architects, contractors, subcontractors, and construction workers, when such activities are related to the construction, development, or other improvement of real property.
C. Emergency activities in which persons are employed to render aid or other services in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
D. Other temporary activities which employ persons for a period of less than 90 days. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 38-2007 § 1 (Exh. 1(A)); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.060 Authority to issue permit.
The director shall be authorized to issue a trip reduction permit based on satisfactory compliance with the requirements of RCMC 10.64.140. The director shall be authorized to establish reasonable administrative procedures to implement the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 0748 § 2, 1988; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.070 Permit fee.
The city council may, by resolution, and from time to time, prescribe fees for the issuance and renewal of trip reduction permits. Such fees shall be for the sole purpose of defraying costs incurred in the administration of this chapter.
All fees for the issuance and renewal of permits shall be paid at the time of and with the filing of the application with the director. No application shall be deemed valid or complete until all prescribed fees have been paid. Unless otherwise prescribed, fees shall not be refundable in whole or in part whether or not the permit is issued or approval granted. Nor shall any such fee be refundable in whole or in part if a permittee ceases operating under the permit in advance of expiration of the term thereof. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.080 Notification of requirements.
The director shall notify, in writing, all persons required by this chapter to obtain a trip reduction permit. Such notification shall be made in a timely manner based on the compliance schedule contained in RCMC 10.64.150 and shall contain at least the following information:
A. A statement that the recipient is required by this chapter to obtain a trip reduction permit.
B. A description of the requirements which the applicant must satisfy to obtain the permit.
C. A description of the procedures to apply for and obtain the permit. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.090 Application filing.
All applications for a trip reduction permit shall be filed with the environmental management department. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 0748 § 3, 1988; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.100 Application contents.
The application for a trip reduction permit shall be filed on a form and contain such information as prescribed by the director. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.110 Investigation.
The director shall examine the application to determine whether the applicant complies with the requirements contained in RCMC 10.64.140. Inspection of the business location shall be conducted as necessary to determine compliance with said requirements. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.120 Issuance of permit.
The director shall act upon the application not later than 30 days after the date it is validly filed, unless the applicant has filed a written request with the director to extend the time in order that the applicant may submit additional information prior to action by the director.
The director shall issue the permit unless (s)he finds, in writing, that the requirements contained in RCMC 10.64.140 have not been met. The director shall notify the applicant, in writing, of his/her decision to issue or not issue the permit. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.130 Term of permit.
Except as provided herein, all trip reduction permits shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance by the director. The director may issue a trip reduction permit which is valid for three years to any person who has continuously maintained a valid trip reduction permit for a period of two years or more. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.140 Trip reduction requirements.
The granting of a trip reduction permit shall be based on satisfactory compliance with the following requirements:
A. Provide all employees on an annual basis, and all new employees upon hiring, with written information on alternative commute modes, including carpooling, vanpooling, public transit, bicycling, and walking to work. Such material shall include information on the benefits of these alternate modes and details regarding their availability to employees in commuting to the work site.
B. Provide all employees on an annual basis, and all new employees upon hiring, with commuter matching services. This service may be provided by the employer or any agency, firm, consultant, or other person.
C. Provide all employees with the services of an on-site employee transportation coordinator.
D. Provide and administer a program of preferential parking for carpool and vanpool vehicles at each work location. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.150 Compliance schedule.
The requirements of this chapter shall be implemented according to the following schedule:
A. Any person who files an application with the city of Rancho Cordova for a new general business license on or after January 1, 1984, shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Any person who, on or after January 1, 1985, employs 500 or more persons at a common business location shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
C. Any person who, on or after January 1, 1986, employs 250 or more persons at a common business location shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
D. Any person who, on or after January 1, 1987, employs 100 or more persons at a common business location shall be required to comply with the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 623 § 1, 1985; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.160 Appeals.
Any person may appeal the decision of the director regarding the issuance of a trip reduction permit to the Rancho Cordova city council. Such appeal must be made in writing no later than 30 days from the date of written notification by the director of his/her decision to issue or not to issue the permit pursuant to RCMC 10.64.120. Procedures, hearings, and final action by the city council shall be as provided in RCMC Title 23, Zoning Code. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); revised during 2008 codification; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.170 Failure to obtain permit.
Any person who, after proper notification as required herein, fails to apply for a trip reduction permit, and any person who, after making application for a trip reduction permit, employs 100 or more persons without obtaining a trip reduction permit, as required in RCMC 10.64.040, shall be in violation of this chapter. The director shall notify any such person, in writing, that he/she is in violation of this chapter. The director shall also notify the city attorney and request that appropriate legal action be initiated. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); revised during 2008 codification; Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].
10.64.180 Violations.
Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter constitutes a misdemeanor. Any person, firm, or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise, who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $500.00 or imprisoned for not more than six months in the county jail, or both. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. [Ord. 11-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 21-2003 §§ 2, 4; Ord. 20-2003 §§ 2, 4; SCC 567 § 1, 1983].