This chapter may be cited as the "parking ordinance" of the city. It is the primary intention of this chapter to recodify the existing provisions of law pertaining to vehicular parking in the city. Insofar as the regulations contained in this chapter are substantially similar to the former parking regulations in effect as of the date of the adoption of this code, such similar provisions shall be construed as restatements and continuations of such regulations and not as new enactments, and all permits and certificates issued under former similar provisions shall be deemed to remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
The provisions of this chapter regulating the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or official traffic-control device.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
The department of public works of the city is directed to maintain, by appropriate signs or by paint upon the curb surface, all no-stopping zones, no-parking areas and restricted parking areas as defined and described in this chapter.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
All parking signs, curb markings and other indicia of parking regulation provided for in this chapter existing in the city upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter which were erected and placed by the officials of the city or their predecessors pursuant to preexisting authority are declared by this section to be official signs and regulations of the city. All matters pertaining to such signs and markings are ratified and confirmed by the city council.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
A. 
When curbs have been marked or signs posted in accordance with this section, the following restrictions shall apply:
1. 
No-Stopping Zone. A red curb marking shall mean no stopping, standing or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, at any time, except that a bus may stop in a red curb area marked or signposted as a bus loading zone pursuant to BGMC § 13.20.700.
2. 
Commercial Loading Zone. A yellow curb marking or a sign designating an area as a commercial loading zone shall mean no stopping, standing or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, at any time, or at such times as the city council may designate, for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or freight; provided, that a stop for loading or unloading of passengers shall not exceed three minutes, and for loading or unloading of freight shall not exceed 20 minutes.
3. 
Passenger Loading or Mailbox Zone. A white curb or a sign designating an area as a passenger loading zone shall mean no stopping, standing or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, at any time, or at such times as the city council may designate, for any purpose other than depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox, or for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers; provided, that the stop shall not exceed three minutes.
4. 
Twenty-Minute Parking. A green curb, or a sign designating an area as a 20-minute parking area, shall mean no stopping, standing or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, at any time, or at such times as the city council may designate, for a period in excess of 20 minutes.
5. 
Handicapped Parking. A blue curb or a sign designating an area as a handicapped-only parking area shall mean no stopping, standing or parking, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, at any time, or at such times as the city council may designate, except for vehicles bearing a special license or displaying a placard issued under the provisions of Section 9105 or 22511.5 of the California Vehicle Code.
B. 
The department of public works shall cause the appropriate curb markings or signs designated by this section to be placed and maintained as follows:
1. 
Passenger loading zones: For a distance of 30 feet along any curb at the main entrance to a hotel, adjacent to mailboxes placed at the curb, and at any curb in front of any portion of the main entrance to and outside vestibule of any theater during any time such theater is open for public performance.
2. 
In any area designated by the city council as being appropriate for a no-stopping, commercial loading, passenger loading, 20-minute parking or handicapped parking zone.
C. 
When appropriate signs or curb markings have been placed in the areas designated in this section, no owner of or operator of a motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle in such area at any time, except for the purposes and for the times set forth in subsection (A) of this section.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
When authorized signs have been placed in areas designated by resolution of the city council, no owner of or operator of any motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in such area for a period of time in excess of that designated in the resolution, during the hours designated in the resolution.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
When authorized signs have been placed in areas designated by resolution of the city council, no owner of or operator of any motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in such areas during the hours designated in the resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
No owner of or operator of a motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park such vehicle in any alley for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials or both. Such owner and/or operator shall not stop for the loading or unloading of passengers for more than three minutes, nor for the loading or unloading of materials for more than 20 minutes at any one time in any alley.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
A. 
No person who owns or has possession, custody or control of any vehicle shall park or leave standing such vehicle upon any highway for a period of time in excess of 72 consecutive hours.
B. 
The chief of police shall remove any vehicle which has been parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours to any garage, parking lot or open space owned by, maintained by, or under the jurisdiction of the city or the county or to any privately owned garage, the owner or proprietor of which will accept such vehicles.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
A. 
No person shall park or leave standing any motor vehicle in or upon Clara Street, Eastern Avenue, Florence Avenue, Florence Place, Foster Bridge Boulevard, Gage Avenue, Garfield Avenue, Ira Avenue, Jaboneria Road, and Suva Street, within the boundaries of the city of Bell Gardens for the purpose of advertising or displaying the vehicle for sale or rent.
B. 
No person shall park or leave standing any motor vehicle for the purpose of advertising or displaying the vehicle for sale or rent in or upon any highway listed in subsection (A) of this section or upon any highway adjacent to any highway listed in subsection (A) of this section for a distance of 200 feet. For purposes of this section, "highway" means any way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. "Highway" shall include but not be limited to any public right-of-way commonly referred to as: avenue, boulevard, court, drive, lane, place, road, street or way.
C. 
Any motor vehicle parked or left standing in violation of this section is subject to impoundment pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 22651.9 of the California Vehicle Code.
D. 
Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of $250.00 and the vehicle cited may be subject to tow.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977; Ord. 623 § 1, 1994; Ord. 681 § 1, 1997; Ord. 770 §§ 1, 3, 2003; Ord. 799 § 1, 2006; Ord. 807 § 1, 2007)
No person shall construct, or cause to be constructed, repair, or cause to be repaired, grease, or cause to be greased, dismantle, or cause to be dismantled, wash, or cause to be washed, any vehicle or any part thereof, upon any public street or alley in the city, except for temporary emergency repairs.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
No owner of or operator of any motor vehicle shall park said motor vehicle between any curb and the adjacent property line except at those locations at which the city council determines, by resolution, that such parking will not constitute a traffic hazard or public nuisance.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
No owner of or operator of any motor vehicle shall park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant (both directions) on any private road, except where the vehicle is attended by a licensed operator seated in the front seat and who can immediately move such vehicle in case of necessity.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977; Ord. 911 § 3, 2020)
A. 
For the purposes of this sections, a "commercial vehicle" shall mean any vehicle bearing a commercial license plate and defined as such in the California Vehicle Code; provided, that no passenger car or recreation vehicle shall be deemed a commercial vehicle, even if bearing a commercial license plate.
B. 
No person shall park any commercial vehicle, truck, trailer or special equipment vehicle with manufacturer's plate having a weight rating capacity of more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on any street located in the city, except:
1. 
When such vehicle is parked while actually and continuously being loaded or unloaded or when such vehicle is parked in connection with the performance of a service for such times as is reasonably necessary to complete the permitted service; or
2. 
When any street or portion thereof is designated or described by the city council as a street on which such vehicle parking is permitted and is posted as such by appropriate signs reading "Commercial Vehicle Parking Permitted."
(Ord. 659-U § 1, 1996)
A. 
Whenever the chief of police or traffic engineer finds that traffic congestion or traffic hazard is likely to result from the operation, stopping, standing or parking of vehicles during the holding of public or private assemblages, gatherings or functions, or during the construction, alteration, repair, sweeping or improvement of any highway, or for any other reason, they may place or cause to be placed temporary signs prohibiting the operation, stopping, standing or parking of vehicles during the period such condition exists.
B. 
Where appropriate signs or curb markings have been placed pursuant to subsection (A) of this section, no owner of or operator of a motor vehicle shall operate, stop, stand or park said vehicle in any area so designated at any time during which such temporary regulations are in effect.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
If an operator parks any vehicle contrary to the provisions of BGMC § 13.20.300, and the presence of such vehicle prevents or interferes with the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of the highway, any peace officer may move or cause to be moved such vehicle to the nearest place on the highway where:
A. 
The presence of such vehicle will not prevent or interfere with the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of the highway; and
B. 
The presence of such vehicle is not in violation of any statute or ordinance except BGMC § 13.20.300.
No vehicle removed under this section shall be moved for a distance of more than 500 feet.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
A. 
No person shall use or permit the use of any real property owned by the city of Bell Gardens (which shall include, but not be limited to, public streets, public alleys, public parkways, public sidewalks, public driveways and public parks) or any real property as to which the city has a possessory interest (hereafter, "property") for a permanent or temporary place of habitation. No person shall place upon such property permanently or temporarily, any building, structure or vehicle, including, but not limited to, any motor vehicle, trailer, camper, mobile home, recreation vehicle ("RV"), coach or similar vehicle, which is required to be licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Vehicle Code of the state (hereafter "vehicle"), which is designed for use and/or which is used, for the purpose of allowing one or more persons to reside therein, permanently or temporarily.
B. 
As used in this section, "habitation" and "reside" mean the permanent or temporary occupancy of any person of any building structure or vehicle for the purpose of providing permanent or temporary living quarters and/or sleeping quarters for any person.
C. 
As used in this section, "building" means any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, or combination thereof, and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons or property of any kind.
D. 
As used in this section, "structure" means a building or anything constructed or erected which has a fixed location on the ground, or is attached to a building or other object having a fixed location on the ground. A fixed location shall include, but not be limited to, the following: a concrete foundation, footing, foundation system, concrete floor; or elements buried in, or adhered to, the ground.
(Ord. 789 § 1, 2005)
No person shall stop, stand, park or leave standing any motor vehicle, as that phrase is defined in the Vehicle Code of the state, whether attended or unattended, on any public or private property within the city, except with the consent of the owner or person in possession of such property. Such consent, for the purpose of this section, shall be deemed, for all purposes, not to have been given if the said property has displayed thereon, in plain view, a sign of a size and format approved by the chief of police which:
A. 
States that parking of unauthorized vehicles is prohibited;
B. 
States that unauthorized vehicles will be subject to citing and towed away;
C. 
Refers to this code section; and
D. 
Contains the telephone number of the city police department.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
A. 
No owner or operator of a motor vehicle, trailer, boat, or camper body shall park or store such motor vehicle, trailer, boat or camper body within the front yard of a parcel of land used for residential purposes and no person in possession of land used for residential purposes shall permit another person to so park or store such vehicles thereon, except on a driveway or in a garage or carport.
B. 
As used in this section, "front yard" means the area between the front property line and the front of a residential building.
C. 
As used in this section, "driveway" means a paved area, not in excess of 20 feet in width, over the shortest distance between the vehicular entrance to a garage or carport and the point of access to a street or highway. Driveway shall also include any other paved area within a front yard which has been approved by the director of planning for the parking of motor vehicles, boats, trailers and camper bodies. Any person wishing to utilize such additional driveway areas shall submit a site plan to the director of planning for approval, which approval shall be granted upon a finding that the maintenance of paved parking in such portions of the front yard as are depicted on the site plan will preserve adequate front yard areas for landscaping, and will not have a deleterious effect on neighboring properties. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the director of planning may appeal the matter to the planning commission in accordance with the provisions of Section 105 of the Bell Gardens Zoning Code (Site Plan Review).
D. 
The prohibitions contained in this section shall not apply to residential properties containing lawful commercial uses.
(Ord. 496 § 1, 1985)
A. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code or of Section 22500(e) of the California Vehicle Code, and pursuant to Section 22507.2 of the California Vehicle Code, the owner or lessee of property may park a vehicle in front of the owner's or lessee's private driveway when the vehicle displays a permit (the "driveway parking permit") issued pursuant to this section; provided, that no such permit may be issued or continue in effect pursuant to this chapter to permit parking in any private driveway or any street or side of any street where parking is otherwise restricted by time, days or as to specified hours.
B. 
Driveway parking permits shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. 
The driveway for which the driveway parking permit is sought must be designated for the exclusive use of one household;
2. 
Issuance of a driveway parking permit does not guarantee a parking space if there is insufficient space between other legally parked vehicles;
3. 
Driveway parking permits are address and location specific. They may be transferred between vehicles registered to the same address;
4. 
Driveway parking permits shall be issued by the department of public works on a calendar year basis, and each such permit shall expire at midnight on December 31st. Permits may be renewed annually by mail;
5. 
A driveway parking permit will only be issued for single-family homes;
6. 
A driveway parking permit will not issued for a driveway located within 25 feet of a corner or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; and
7. 
A driveway parking permit will not be issued where parking in front of such driveway would pose a safety hazard, in the opinion of the department of public works.
C. 
Applications for driveway parking permits shall be reviewed and, if appropriate, approved by the department of public works. An application for driveway parking permits shall require, at a minimum, the following:
1. 
Name of the applicant for the driveway parking permit;
2. 
Address of the property where the driveway is located;
3. 
A certification that the applicant's household is the exclusive user of the driveway;
4. 
Name and endorsement of the property owner or the owner's duly authorized property manager;
5. 
Identification of household vehicles, including license number, make and year of each vehicle registered at that address or to the household;
6. 
Identification of off-street parking spaces available on the property;
7. 
A certification stating the reason existing off-street parking at the property is insufficient to meet the applicant's parking needs;
8. 
Such additional information the department of public works may so require; and
9. 
The statement that misuse of a permit issued under this section is grounds for revocation of the permit by the department of public works.
D. 
The city reserves the right to implement a reasonable fee to be set at a later time in accordance with the cost of administering the enforcement of such driveway parking permits. Such fee shall be established by resolution of the city council and may be amended from time to time.
E. 
Driveway parking permits shall be displayed so as to be readily visible from the rearview mirror or by such other method or as directed in instructions contained in the permit itself.
F. 
The owner of the vehicle parked in front of the driveway must be in possession of the keys to the vehicle at all times.
G. 
The department of public works may, from time to time, promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with the purposes and provisions of this section, to facilitate implementation of the section.
H. 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize parking on a sidewalk in violation of Section 22500(f) of the California Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 897 § 2, 2019)
A. 
Any person in lawful possession of private property containing off-street parking facilities within the city desiring to reserve handicapped-only parking spaces in such parking facilities shall submit a parking plan for site plan review to the planning commission, pursuant to Part 105 of the Bell Gardens Zoning Code, which site plan shall designate the spaces proposed to be reserved for handicapped-only parking.
B. 
The planning commission or the city council, upon review pursuant to Part 103 of the Bell Gardens Zoning Code, after a public hearing in accordance with Section 21107.8(c) of the California Vehicle Code, shall approve or conditionally approve the establishment of the proposed handicapped-only parking spaces if it finds that their establishment will not jeopardize, adversely affect, endanger or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety or general welfare, or be materially detrimental to the property of other persons located in the vicinity.
C. 
When signs have been posted in accordance with this section, and approval obtained pursuant to subsection (B) of this section, no owner of or operator of a motor vehicle shall stop, stand or park said vehicle in any such designated area, at any time, except a vehicle bearing a special license or displaying a placard issued under the provisions of Section 9105 or 22511.5 of the California Vehicle Code.
D. 
Handicapped-only parking spaces in privately owned parking facilities shall be designated by posting, immediately adjacent thereto and visible from the parking space so reserved, the International Symbol of Access, and a sign not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height which clearly states:
Unauthorized vehicles not displaying distinguishing placards or license plates issued for physically handicapped persons are subject to citation, and will be towed away at owners' expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at ____________________________________ or by telephoning (telephone number of city police department).
Additionally, a sign not less than 17 inches by 22 inches in size must be posted at each entrance to the off-street parking facilities to the effect that the facility is subject to public traffic regulations and control.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
No person shall park on any residentially zoned property any commercial vehicle, truck, trailer or special equipment vehicle or combination or motor vehicles used in commerce to transport property or passengers if any of the following apply to the vehicle:
A. 
The vehicle has a weight rating capacity of more than 10,000 pounds;
B. 
The vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver;
C. 
The vehicle is used in the transportation of hazardous materials or controlled substances; or
D. 
The vehicle is a tank vehicle designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle.
(Ord. 657 § 2, 1996; Ord. 659-U § 2, 1996)
The city council may, from time to time, by resolution, provide for the establishment of regulations for the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles in or upon any municipal parking lot in the city; and when authorized signs are erected and in place giving notice thereof, no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle in, on or upon any such municipal parking lot for purposes other than, nor a period of time longer than, those specified in any such resolution duly adopted and approved by the city council.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
When authorized signs have been placed adjacent to parking spaces in municipal parking lots which the city council has determined to be appropriate for parking by handicapped persons only, no owner of or operator of a vehicle, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended, shall, at any time, or at such times as the city council may designate, stop, stand or park such vehicle in any such designated space unless the vehicle bears a special license or displays a placard issued under the provisions of Section 9105 or 22511.5 of the California Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
On any of the streets or portions of streets established by resolution of the council as angle parking zones, when signs or pavement markings are in place indicating such angle parking, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to park said vehicle except:
A. 
At the angle to the curb indicated by signs or pavement markings allotting space to parked vehicles and entirely within the limits of said allotted space;
B. 
With the front wheel nearest the curb within six inches of said curb.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
A. 
With the approval of the traffic commission, the department of public works is authorized to install and maintain parking space markings to indicate parking spaces adjacent to curbings where parking is permitted.
B. 
When such parking space markings are placed on the highway, subject to other and more restrictive limitation, no vehicle shall be stopped, left standing or parked other than within a single space, unless the size or shape of such vehicle makes compliance impossible.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
No owner of or operator of a motor vehicle shall park or leave standing said vehicle unattended on a highway upon any grade exceeding three percent within any business or residential district without blocking the wheels of said vehicle by turning them against the curb or by other means.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
Every operator who parks a motor vehicle upon any highway shall first lock the ignition, remove the key therefrom and take such key with him, 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.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
When appropriate signs or curb markings have been placed, no owner of or operator of a motor vehicle, other than a bus, shall stop, stand or park said vehicle in any area designated by the city council as a bus loading zone. No bus shall stop in any bus loading zone for any purpose other than the loading and unloading of passengers.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
When appropriate signs or curb markings have been placed, no owner of or operator of a vehicle may stop, stand or park said vehicle in any area established as a taxicab stand, other than the owner or operator of a taxicab holding a permit to stop or stand at such location pursuant to BGMC § 17.48.040.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
The restrictions in this chapter prohibiting the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles shall not apply to the operator or owner of any service vehicle owned or operated by or for, or operated under contract with, a utility or public utility, whether privately, municipally or publicly owned, used in the construction, operation, removal or repair of utility property or facilities when such vehicle is stopped, standing or parked at the site of work involving the construction, operation, removal or repair of utility property or facilities upon, in, over, under or adjacent to a street or highway, or of a vehicle, whether privately, municipally, or publicly owned, engaged in authorized work on the highway; provided, that warning devices are displayed as specified in the following:
A. 
During daylight such warning devices shall consist of:
1. 
A warning flag or barricade striping on the front and rear of such vehicle; or
2. 
A warning flag, sign or barrier on the highway not more than 50 feet in advance of the vehicle and not more than 50 feet to the rear thereof; provided, however, that in zones where the maximum speed limit is in excess of 25 miles per hour, said 50-foot distance may be increased up to 500 feet from the vehicles as circumstances may warrant.
B. 
During the time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise or at any time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person or vehicle on the highway at a distance of 500 feet, such warning device shall consist of:
1. 
One or more lights or fusees on the vehicle giving warning to approaching traffic from each direction; or
2. 
A warning light, flare, fusee or reflector on the highway not more than 50 feet in advance of the vehicle and not more than 50 feet to the rear thereof; provided, however, that in zones where the maximum speed limit is in excess of 25 miles per hour said 50-foot distance may be increased up to 500 feet from the vehicle where circumstances may warrant.
C. 
The provisions of subsections (A) and (B) of this section shall not be deemed to prevent the display of the warning devices specified in subsections (1) and (2) of each of said subsections respectively.
D. 
During either daylight or the time referred to in subsection (B) of this section, no other warning devices shall be necessary if the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle within the provisions of the California Vehicle Code and is equipped with a flashing red light or lights visible to approaching traffic from each direction.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
If the city council, by resolution, finds that the volume of traffic or other conditions at any location are such that the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter prohibiting or restricting parking by the imposition of criminal penalties is not sufficient to prevent the illegal parking of vehicles, it may direct the department of public works to post at such locations signs reading "Tow Away Zone" or otherwise informing the public that illegally parked vehicles will be removed.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
The chief of police shall remove or cause to be removed from the highway to a garage or other place of safety any vehicle which has been parked at a location at which there is a sign erected pursuant to BGMC § 13.20.800, if such vehicle is parked in violation of any provision of this chapter.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
Whenever the chief of police removes a vehicle from a highway as authorized by BGMC § 13.20.810 and he knows or is able to ascertain from the registration records in the vehicle or from the registration records of the California Department of Motor Vehicles the name and address of the owner thereof, the chief of police immediately shall notify in writing such owner of the fact of such removal, the grounds thereof and the place to which such vehicle has been removed. In the event any such vehicle is stored in a public garage, he shall deliver a copy of such notice to the proprietor of the garage.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
Whenever the chief of police removing a vehicle from a highway under BGMC § 13.20.810 does not know and is not able to ascertain the name of the owner of such vehicle as provided in this chapter, and in the event the vehicle is not returned to the owner within a period of 120 hours, then and in that event the chief of police immediately shall send a written report of such removal by mail to the Department of Motor Vehicles at Sacramento and shall file a copy of such notice with the proprietor of any public garage in which the vehicle may be stored. He shall make such report on a form furnished by such department. The report shall include a complete description of the vehicle, the date, time and place from which removed, the grounds for such removal and the name of the garage or place where the vehicle is stored.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977)
Unless otherwise stated in this chapter any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction.
(Ord. 379 § 1, 1977; Ord. 415 § 1, 1980; Ord. 506 § 2, 1985)