Note: Prior history: Prior code §§ 3-1.55, 3-1.56, 3-1.58—3-1.71 and 3-1.74—3-1.82; Ords. 1252, 1445, 1883-78, 2225-87 and 2413-92.
The provisions of this title or any ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code prohibiting the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a public safety officer or official traffic control device. 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 or the ordinances or resolutions of this city, prohibiting or limiting the standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1)
(a) 
The city traffic engineer is authorized to designate, install and maintain, by appropriate signs or by paint upon the curb surface, all parking space markings and restricted stopping, standing or parking areas. All such designations in excess of fifty continuous feet shall be incorporated in the traffic control regulations document. Appeals of the city traffic engineer's decision to install signs or markings mentioned in this section in excess of fifty continuous feet, may be made as described in Chapter 10.04.
(b) 
When appropriate signs or curb markings are in place, it is unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park a vehicle in violation of any such sign or curb marking.
(c) 
When parking space markings exist, it is unlawful for any person to leave a vehicle stopped, standing or parked other than within a single space, unless the size or shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible.
(d) 
The city traffic engineer is authorized, consistent with the latest standards or guidelines established by CalTrans, to install appropriate markings or signage creating "no parking" zones extending twenty feet from curb returns at all intersections controlled by yield signs, stop signs, or traffic signals.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2524-95 § 1; Ord. 2981-12 § 2; Ord. 3159-20 § 2)
(a) 
Whenever the traffic engineer shall determine that any traffic congestion is likely to result from the holding of public or private assemblages, special events, gatherings or functions, or for other reasons, the traffic engineer shall have power and authority to order temporary signs to be erected or posted indicating that the operation, parking or standing of vehicles is prohibited on such streets and alleys as the traffic engineer shall direct during the time such temporary signs are in place. The traffic engineer shall also have power and authority to suspend or modify existing parking restrictions, consistent with applicable traffic safety considerations, by erecting temporary signs or modifying existing signs for the duration of the event. Signs shall remain in place only during the existence of the special event, and the traffic engineer shall cause such signs to be removed promptly thereafter, unless a traffic safety consideration exists.
(b) 
The power and authority of the traffic engineer to administratively suspend parking restrictions for special events shall not apply to full-time and time-of-day parking restrictions that have been instituted for traffic safety reasons.
(c) 
In the event of an emergency, signs shall remain in place only during the existence of the emergency and the traffic engineer shall cause such signs to be removed promptly thereafter.
(d) 
Whenever the traffic engineer shall determine that it is necessary for the cleaning, repair or construction of any street or alley that the operation, parking or standing of vehicles be prohibited thereon, the traffic engineer shall have the power and authority to order temporary signs to be erected or posted indicating that the operation, parking or standing of vehicles is prohibited on such streets and alleys as the traffic engineer shall direct during the time such temporary signs are in place. Signs shall be erected or placed at least twenty-four hours prior to the time during which operation, parking or standing of such vehicles is to be prohibited, and the traffic engineer shall cause such signs to be removed promptly after the time during which such operation, parking or standing is to be prohibited has expired.
(e) 
Where signs are in place giving notice of the restrictions authorized under this section, it is unlawful for any person to operate, park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of such signs.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2438-93 § 3; Ord. 2871-08 § 1; Ord. 2914-10 § 1)
(a) 
Whenever the city manager shall determine that the orderly efficient conduct of the city's business requires 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 thus prohibited, limited or restricted. Such power and authority shall include ordering signs to be erected or posted designating stalls or spaces for physically handicapped persons in accordance with the provisions of Section 22507.8 of the California Vehicle Code as the same exists or is hereafter amended, on all off-street parking facilities owned or operated by the city of Sunnyvale.
(b) 
When signs are in place giving notice of parking restrictions, it is unlawful for any person to park or stand any vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of such signs.
(c) 
Public property within the geographic boundaries of the city of Sunnyvale that is owned by a public entity other than the city of Sunnyvale shall be considered "city property" for purposes of this section where the public entity that owns the property has duly authorized the city of Sunnyvale to enforce parking restrictions thereon.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2746-04 § 1)
The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon that side of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in the traffic engineer's opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation. It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any such designated place.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1)
Any person seeking to park a vehicle in a limited curb parking space, whose vehicle arrives at the parking space prior to any other vehicle, and who proceeds beyond space a distance not to exceed ten feet for the purpose of backing the vehicle therein, shall have the right-of-way over any person driving or attempting to drive any other vehicle directly into such limited curb parking space or who in any manner obstructs such limited curb parking space and the driver of such other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to the driver who first arrived at the parking space.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1)
The requirement of parallel parking shall not apply in the event any commercial vehicle is actually engaged in the process of loading or unloading freight or goods, in which case such vehicle may be backed up to the curb, provided that such vehicle does not extend beyond the centerline of the street and does not block traffic thereby.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1)
(a) 
The city traffic engineer shall have the authority to designate, install and maintain angle and back-in angle parking on city streets. The designated street shall be marked and/or signed to indicate the angle or direction at which vehicles shall be parked. Such determinations shall be incorporated in the traffic control regulations document. Appeals of the city traffic engineer's decision may be made as described in Chapter 10.04.
(b) 
It is unlawful for any person to park or stand a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings.
(c) 
If "back-in parking only" signs or markings are in place on a street or portion thereof, then the rear wheel nearest the curb shall be within eighteen inches of said curb on such street or portion thereof that is marked or posted with such "back-in parking only" signs or markings.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2524-95 § 1; Ord. 2969-12 § 1)
The traffic engineer is authorized to place signs or markings indicating no parking upon one or both sides of a street when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty feet. It is unlawful for any person to park in violation of such signs or markings.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2438-93 § 4)
It is unlawful for any person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle, including a boat or trailer, to park or leave such vehicle upon any street, alley, or public parking facility for a period of seventy-two consecutive hours or more. The intent of this section is to limit parking of vehicles, boats and trailers to seventy-two consecutive hours. A vehicle or trailer shall be considered to have been parked or left standing for seventy-two or more consecutive hours if it has remained inoperable or has not been moved. An inoperable vehicle is a vehicle that cannot be moved under its own power or a vehicle which cannot operate legally and safely on the highways of the state. Pushing or moving a vehicle a short distance or attempting to rub away the tire marking will not be considered compliance with this section. Additionally, successive acts of parking shall be presumed to be a single act of parking within the meaning of this section when the vehicle is moved merely for the purpose of avoiding the parking limitations prescribed by this section.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2633-00 § 1; Ord. 2925-10 § 1)
In the event a vehicle, including a boat or trailer, is left standing upon a street, alley or public parking facility in excess of a period of seventy-two consecutive hours or more, any public safety employee authorized by the director of public safety may remove the vehicle from the street, alley or public parking facility in the manner and subject to the requirements of the Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2633-00 § 2)
It is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in a private driveway or on private property without the direct or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of such driveway or property.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1)
It is unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle ten thousand pounds or more (other than a pick-up truck, station wagon or similar vehicle of a size similar to an ordinary passenger vehicle) more than five hours in any residential district except:
(a) 
While loading or unloading property and time in addition to such five-hour period is necessary to complete such work; or
(b) 
When such vehicle is parked in connection with, and in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked and time in addition to such five-hour period is reasonably necessary to complete such service.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2912-09 § 1)
(a) 
It is unlawful for any person to park or stand any vehicle or wagon used or intended to be used in the transportation of property for hire on any street while awaiting patronage for such vehicle or wagon without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the chief of public safety which shall designate the specific location where such vehicle may stand.
(b) 
Whenever any permit is granted and a particular location to park or stand any vehicle or wagon is specified therein, it is unlawful for any person to park or stand any vehicle or wagon on any location other than as designated in such permit. In the event that the holder of a permit is determined to be in violation of any of the provisions of this section, such permit forthwith shall be revoked by the chief upon the filing with the department of the record of a citation issued for such violation and of the payment of penalty for such violation, or the final adjudication and determination that the violation had been committed, in the event that such citation is contested. No permit thereafter shall be issued to any person until six months have elapsed from the date of such revocation.
(Ord. 2435-93 § 1; Ord. 2438-93 § 5)