Over-sized/Recreational Vehicles - New Parking Rules

 The San Diego City Council has adopted a Neighborhood Parking Protection Ordinance that restricts overnight parking (2am to 6am) of recreational, non-motorized and oversized vehicles.  The ordinance became effective on August 17th with citations to be written beginning on September 1st and it includes the following vehicles:

• Recreational vehicles* (may be parked with a permit)
• Non-motorized vehicles  (cargo trailer, trailer bus, fifth-wheels*, etc.)
• Oversized vehicles (greater than 27' long AND 7' high)

*Recreational Vehicles are defined in the CA code as “any camp trailer, camper, trailer coach, or house car...”  Or “any boat, dune buggy, all-terrain vehicle or other motorized or towed vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for recreational purposes.”

 The ordinance also prohibits any of these vehicles from parking within 50 feet of an intersection or alley at ANYTIME.

Permits:Recreational vehicle owners may obtain a permit allowing overnight parking. A permit is valid for one 24-hour period. The cost per 24 hour permit is $1.25.  Permit applicants may obtain up to three consecutive days (72 hours total) at one time. Applicants may purchase up to 72 days of permits per year. The permit is only valid on the same block as the resident’s address.  You may apply for a permit online here.

In order for this ordinance to be effective, the community must be vigilant and willing to report violations.

HOW TO REPORT ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLESCitations will levy a $100 fine to vehicle owners.

Call anytime: 619 531-2000 (police non-emergency line) to report illegal parking, including unpermitted overnight (2am to  6am) parking of recreational, non-motorized and oversize vehicles.Note: For best police response, provide the street address, license number and vehicle make/model.  Call again if the violation is repeated or unresolved.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

This ordinance is in the San Diego Municipal Code Traffic and Vehicles sections 86.0138 - 86.0144.  If you have questions or enforcement issues read the FAQs below and/or contact:

1. District 2 Council Office - Chet Barfield, Phone: (619) 236-6622,  email:  cbarfield@sandiego.gov
2. Mayor's Office - Ian Clampett, Phone: (619) 236-6330, email:  iclampett@sandiego.gov
3. SDPD Northern Division - Captain Jerry Hara, Phone: 858 552-1710 email: jhara@pd.sandiego.gov

FAQs:

Q.  The ordinance prohibits "oversized/recreational/non-motorized vehicles from parking within 50 feet of intersections.  Does that include alleys?A.  Yes.  §86.0139 state that "It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing within 50 feet of any intersection of public streets, a public street and park road, a public street and alley or a park road and alley,...any oversized, non-motorized or recreational vehicle at any time."Q. Are there exceptions to the prohibition on parking of Oversized, Non-Motorized and Recreational Vehicles? A.  Yes.  §86.0140 states these exceptions:

• oversize vehicle on a public street while actively engaged in loading or unloading goods, wares, or merchandise from or to any building or structure.
• oversize vehicle on a public street when left standing in connection with, and in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a property in the block..
• vehicle belonging to federal, state, or local authorities, or a public utility.
• school bus or any bus on a public street used for the transportation of student, youths or disabled persons during the course of the activity for which they were transported.
• when parked in commercial loading zones.

Q.  Which vehicles MUST OBTAIN A PERMIT to park on the street between 2 am and 6 am?A.  A Temporary Overnight Parking Permit may only be issued for a Recreational Vehicle (RV).  According to SDMC 81.0102 an RV means:

• (a) any camp trailer, camper, trailer coach, or house car, as defined in Vehicle Code sections 242, 243, 635 or California Health and Safety Code section 18010. 
• (b) any boat, dune buggy, all-terrain vehicle or other motorized or towed vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for recreational purposes.

Proof of residency and vehicle control, e.g. ownership, is required.

Q. Which vehicles are NEVER PERMITTED to park on the street between 2 am and 6 am?A. Non motorized vehicles (not used for recreation), e.g. cargo trailer, trailer bus, etc. 

Q. What about a Moving/Storage Pod left at the curb during a move?  A.  Storage pods are not covered under this ordinance.  (However, per the Traffic Code, pods are not permitted to be placed on a public street.)

Q. Do I need to check for a permit before I call to report an illegally parked recreation vehicle?A.Check for a permit if you can, but it's not mandatory.  Once you report the vehicle, the police can check electronically to verify if a permit has been issued.  Call anytime: 619 531-2000 (police non-emergency line) to report illegal parking,Q. Who can I contact, if despite repeated calls to SDPD, the vehicle continues to park illegally?A.  If after numerous reports the illegally parked vehicle is not cited, contact:

SDPD No. Division -  Capt. Jerry Hara, Phone: 858 552-1710 Email: jhara@pd.sandiego.gov

1. District 2 Council Office - Chet Barfield, Phone: (619) 236-6622,  email:  cbarfield@sandiego.gov
2. Mayor's Office - Ian Clampett, Phone: (619) 236-6330, email: iclampett@sandiego.gov

Q. Can I get a permit for my guests with an RV?A. No