"Commercial property"
means any property zoned for or occupied by a business or industrial use.
"Pallet"
means any wooden, composite, or plastic platform used for the storage or transport of goods, whether active, idle, or discarded.
"Secured storage"
means a storage area that is enclosed by a locked fence, gated enclosure, or secured with a chain/cable and lock to prevent unauthorized access to pallets.
(Ord. 2026-01-27-1205, 1/27/2026)
A. 
All commercial or industrial establishments must store pallets in a secured storage area.
B. 
No pallets may be left in areas accessible to the public, including alleys, driveways, loading docks, or any unfenced portions of a parcel, outside of active loading or unloading operations.
C. 
Pallets shall not remain in unsecured areas for longer than 90 consecutive minutes during normal business hours unless they are actively being used for loading or unloading.
(Ord. 2026-01-27-1205, 1/27/2026)
This chapter shall not apply to:
A. 
Pallets stored indoors, provided such storage complies with all applicable fire and building code requirements, including those governing egress, clearance, and combustible storage indoors;
B. 
Pallets within fully enclosed and locked dock bays, or if the quantity exceeds 50 pallets. With more than 50 pallets, they must be stored in accordance with Section 315.7 through 315.7.7 and Chapter 32 of the California Fire Code, and Section 15.12.050 of the Stockton Municipal Code;
C. 
Construction sites with active building permits, provided the pallets are associated with on-site construction materials;
D. 
Emergency situations authorized by the Fire Marshal.
(Ord. 2026-01-27-1205, 1/27/2026)
A. 
Violations of this chapter are subject to administrative citations pursuant to Chapter 1.32 of the Stockton Municipal Code and may be issued by authorized representatives as provided in Section 1.24.020.
B. 
Penalties shall be assessed as follows:
1. 
First violation: written warning and seven calendar days to correct;
2. 
Second violation: $200 administrative citation;
3. 
Third and subsequent violations: $500 administrative citation.
C. 
A person charged under this chapter may, within 10 calendar days of the date of the notice, appeal in accordance with Chapter 1.44 of this code. Failure to timely file an appeal constitutes a failure to exhaust available administrative remedies and bars any further review or appeal of the violation.
(Ord. 2026-01-27-1205, 1/27/2026)