Chapter 35
OBSTRUCTIONS

Sections:

5-35.01    Placement of obstructions on streets and sidewalks.

5-35.02    Exceptions.

5-35.03    Street obstructions: Maintenance after dark.

5-35.04    Violations: Penalties.

5-35.01 Placement of obstructions on streets and sidewalks.

(a)    It shall be unlawful for any person to place or park any crate, box, package, pallet, container, vehicle, or other object on any public street, sidewalk, roadway, pedestrian way, or bicycle path in the City where the placement of such vehicle or object constitutes a hazard to traffic or pedestrian or an obstruction to the free movement of traffic or pedestrians under either of the following circumstances:

(1)    When such person does so with the intent that such vehicle or object remain in such place for an unreasonable or substantial period of time; or

(2)    When such person thereafter knowingly permits such vehicle or object to remain in such place for an unreasonable or substantial period of time.

(b)    Any period of time which is likely to result in, or which does result in, more than a trivial hazard or obstruction shall constitute an unreasonable or substantial period of time.

(c)    It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, block or obstruct any sidewalk or roadway of the Pajaro Bridge to the intersection of, and including, Main Street and Front Street which may cause or is likely to cause any of the following circumstances;

(1)    Any sidewalk or roadway obstruction;

(2)    Any sidewalk or roadway hazard;

(3)    Impede traffic;

(4)    Throw objects at vehicles (pursuant to § 21962 of the California Vehicle Code—Pedestrian on bridge and § 23110 of the California Vehicle Code—Throwing substances at vehicles);

(5)    Cause a disturbance (pursuant to § 415 of the California Penal Code—Disturbing the peace); or

(6)    Any other act which in itself is unlawful under any written statute.

(§ 1, Ord. 719-86 C-M, eff. December 12, 1986, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1070-99, eff. July 22, 1999)

5-35.02 Exceptions.

Section 5-35.01 of this chapter shall not apply to the following cases:

(a)    The parking of emergency vehicles;

(b)    The parking of any vehicle in any place where such parking is permitted by law;

(c)    The placement of structures or barriers for the protection of pedestrians or traffic;

(d)    The placement of benches pursuant to a permit granted by the City;

(e)    The placement of structures or barriers by the City or by any other governmental agency when such structures or barriers are intended to serve the public convenience, safety, or necessity;

(f)    The placement of ornamental trees by the City or with the City’s consent;

(g)    The placement of newsracks in conformity with the provisions of this Code regulating newsracks on City sidewalks;

(h)    The placement of merchandise for sale as authorized by a permit pursuant to Chapter 20 of this title;

(i)    The placement of trash or other debris in appropriate containers for pickup by the City or its contractors when placed in accordance with the schedules of the Sanitation Department or its contractors; or

(j)    The placement of any vehicle, structure, barrier, stand, or object pursuant to a permit granted by the City.

(k)    Any persons charged with the duties set forth in Subsections (a) through (j) of this section.

(§ 1, Ord. 719-86 C-M, eff. December 12, 1986, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1070-99, eff. July 22, 1999)

5-35.03 Street obstructions: Maintenance after dark.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place in the public streets of the city any lumber, gravel, sand, plaster, or other building materials, wagons, or boxes, or any other obstructions whatsoever, without first obtaining a permit therefor form the Director of Public Works and without maintaining thereon, from dark and through the night until daylight the following morning, at least two (2) red lights, one being placed at either end of such obstruction.

(§ 1, Ord. 719-86 C-M, eff. December 12, 1986)

5-35.04 Violations: Penalties.

(a)    Any person who violates any section of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction.

(b)    Any person who violates any section of this chapter, and who is cited for such violation, and who after receiving such citation, again violates the same section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(§ 1, Ord. 1070-99, eff. July 22, 1999)