California Vehicle Code Division 11 - Rules of the Road

Chapter 9. Stopping, Standing, or Parking

22500. No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device, in any of the following places:

  1. Within an intersection, except adjacent to curbs as may be permitted by local ordinance.
  2. On a crosswalk, except that a bus engaged as a common carrier or a taxicab may stop in an unmarked crosswalk to load or unload passengers when authorized by the legislative body of any city pursuant to an ordinance.
  3. Between a safety zone and the adjacent right-hand curb or within the area between the zone and the curb as may be indicated by a sign or red paint on the curb, which sign or paint was erected or placed by local authorities pursuant to an ordinance.
  4. Within 15 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station. This subdivision does not apply to any vehicle owned or operated by a fire department and clearly marked as a fire department vehicle.
  5. In front of a public or private driveway, except that a bus engaged as a common carrier, schoolbus, or a taxicab may stop to load or unload passengers when authorized by local authorities pursuant to an ordinance.
  6. In unincorporated territory, where the entrance of a private road or driveway is not delineated by an opening in a curb or by other curb construction, so much of the surface of the ground as is paved, surfaced, or otherwise plainly marked by vehicle use as a private road or driveway entrance, shall constitute a driveway.
  7. On any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of a sidewalk, except electric carts when authorized by local ordinance, as specified in Section 21114.5. Lights, mirrors, or devices that are required to be mounted upon a vehicle under this code may extend from the body of the vehicle over the sidewalk to a distance of not more than 10 inches.
  8. Alongside or opposite any street or highway excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic.
  9. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped, parked, or standing at the curb or edge of a highway, except for a schoolbus when stopped to load or unload pupils in a business or residence district where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less.
  10. Except as provided under Section 22500.5, alongside curb space authorized for the loading and unloading of passengers of a bus engaged as a common carrier in local transportation when indicated by a sign or red paint on the curb erected or painted by local authorities pursuant to an ordinance.
  11. In a tube or tunnel, except vehicles of the authorities in charge, being used in the repair, maintenance, or inspection of the facility.
  12. Upon a bridge, except vehicles of the authorities in charge, being used in the repair, maintenance, or inspection of the facility, and except that buses engaged as a common carrier in local transportation may stop to load or unload passengers upon a bridge where sidewalks are provided, when authorized by local authorities pursuant to an ordinance, and except that local authorities pursuant to an ordinance or the Department of Transportation pursuant to an order, within their respective jurisdictions, may permit parking on bridges having sidewalks and shoulders of sufficient width to permit parking without interfering with the normal movement of traffic on the roadway. Local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, may permit parking on these bridges on state highways in their respective jurisdictions if the ordinance or resolution is first approved in writing by the Department of Transportation. Parking shall not be permitted unless there are signs in place, as may be necessary, to indicate the provisions of local ordinances or the order of the Department of Transportation.
  13. In front of or upon that portion of a curb that has been cut down, lowered, or constructed to provide wheelchair accessibility to the sidewalk.

Amended Sec. 66, Ch. 877, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 640, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

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Additional Prohibited Stopping, Standing, or Parking: Fire Lane

22500.1. In addition to Section 22500, no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or official traffic control device along the edge of any highway, at any curb, or in any location in a publicly or privately owned or operated off-street parking facility, designated as a fire lane by the fire department or fire district with jurisdiction over the area in which the place is located.

The designation shall be indicated (1) by a sign posted immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the designated place clearly stating in letters not less than one inch in height that the place is a fire lane, (2) by outlining or painting the place in red and, in contrasting color, marking the place with the words "FIRE LANE", which are clearly visible from a vehicle, or (3) by a red curb or red paint on the edge of the roadway upon which is clearly marked the words "FIRE LANE".

Amended Ch. 129, Stats. 1984. Effective May 21, 1984.

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Curb Parking

22502.

  1. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there are adjacent curbs shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such vehicle parallel with and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb, except that motorcycles shall be parked with at least one wheel or fender touching the right-hand curb. Where no curbs or barriers bound any roadway, right-hand parallel parking is required unless otherwise indicated.
  2. The provisions of subdivision (a) or (e) do not apply to a commercial vehicle if a variation from the requirements of subdivision (a) or (e) is reasonably necessary to accomplish the loading or unloading of merchandise or passengers on, or from, such vehicle and while anything connected with such loading, or unloading, is being executed.
  3. This subdivision shall not be construed to permit any vehicle to stop or park upon a roadway in a direction opposite to that in which traffic normally moves upon that half of the roadway on which such vehicle is stopped or parked.
  4. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), local authorities may, by ordinance, prohibit commercial vehicles from stopping, parking, or standing on one side of a roadway in a business district with the wheels of such vehicle more than 18 inches from the curb. The ordinance shall be effective only if signs are placed in the areas to which it is applicable clearly indicating the prohibition.
  5. This section does not apply to vehicles of a public utility when such vehicles are being used in connection with the operation, maintenance, or repair of facilities of the public utility or are being used in connection with providing public utility service.
  6. Upon a one-way roadway, vehicles may be stopped or parked as provided in subdivision (a) or with the left-hand wheels parallel to and within 18 inches of the left-hand curb, except that motorcycles, if parked on the left-hand side, shall have either one wheel or one fender touching such curb. Where no curb or barriers bound any such one-way roadway, parallel parking on either side is required unless otherwise indicated.
  7. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply upon the roadways of a divided highway.

Amended Ch. 448, Stats. 1971. Operative May 3, 1972.

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Local Ordinance: Angle Parking

22503. Local authorities may by ordinance permit angle parking on any roadway, or left-hand parking upon one-way roadways of divided highways, except that no ordinance is effective with respect to any state highway until the proposed ordinance has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department of Transportation.

Amended Ch. 545, Stats. 1974. Effective January 1, 1975.

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Two- or Three-Wheeled Motor Vehicle Parking Regulations

22503.5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, establish special parking regulations for two-wheeled or three-wheeled motor vehicles.

Amended Ch. 1095, Stats. 1972. Effective March 7, 1973.

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Permit Parking: Private Driveway

22507.2. Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 22500, a local authority may, by ordinance, authorize the owner or lessee of property to park a vehicle in front of the owner's or lessee's private driveway when the vehicle displays a permit issued pursuant to the ordinance authorizing such parking.

The local authority may charge a nonrefundable fee to defray the costs of issuing and administering the permits. A local ordinance adopted pursuant to this section may not authorize parking on a sidewalk in violation of subdivision (f) of Section 22500.

Amended Ch. 45, Stats. 1985. Effective January 1, 1986.

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Local Parking Regulations

22507.5.

  1. Notwithstanding Section 22507, local authorities may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit or restrict the parking or standing of vehicles on certain streets or highways, or portions thereof, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and may, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit or restrict the parking or standing, on any street, or portion thereof, in a residential district, of commercial vehicles having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more. The ordinance or resolution relating to parking between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. may provide for a system of permits for the purpose of exempting from the prohibition or restriction of the ordinance or resolution disabled persons, residents, and guests of residents of residential areas, including, but not limited to, high-density and multiple-family dwelling areas, lacking adequate offstreet parking facilities. The ordinance or resolution relating to the parking or standing of commercial vehicles in a residential district, however, shall not be effective with respect to any commercial vehicle, or trailer component thereof, making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares, and merchandise from or to any building or structure located on the restricted streets or highways or for the purpose of delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling, or construction of any building or structure upon the restricted streets or highways for which a building permit has previously been obtained.
  2. Subdivision (a) of this section is applicable to vehicles specified in subdivision (a) of Section 31303, except that 2 an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section 3 shall not permit the parking of those vehicles which is otherwise prohibited under this code.
  3. For the purpose of implementing this section, each local authority may, by ordinance, define the term "residential district" in accordance with its zoning ordinance. The ordinance 4 is not effective unless the legislative body of the local authority holds a public hearing on the proposed ordinance prior to its adoption, with notice of the public hearing given in accordance with Section 65090 of the Government Code.

Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 1156, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.
Amended Sec. 3, Ch. 518, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005. Supersedes Sec. 11, Ch. 404.

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Parking in Spaces for the Disabled

22507.8.

  1. It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle in a stall or space designated for disabled persons and disabled veterans pursuant to Section 22511.7 or 22511.8 of this code or Section 14679 of the Government Code, unless the vehicle displays either a special identification license plate issued pursuant to Section 5007 or a distinguishing placard issued pursuant to Section 22511.55 or 22511.59.
  2. It is unlawful for any person to obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to those parking stalls or spaces except as provided in subdivision (a).
  3. It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle, including a vehicle displaying a special identification license plate issued pursuant to Section 5007 or a distinguishing placard issued pursuant to Section 22511.55 or 22511.59, in either of the following places:
    1. On the lines marking the boundaries of a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled veterans.
    2. In any area of the pavement adjacent to a parking stall or space designated for disabled persons or disabled veterans that is marked by crosshatched lines and is thereby designated, pursuant to any local ordinance, for the loading and unloading of vehicles parked in the stall or space.
  4. Subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) apply to all offstreet parking facilities owned or operated by the state, and to all offstreet parking facilities owned or operated by a local authority. Subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) also apply to any privately owned and maintained offstreet parking facility.

Amended Sec. 12, Ch. 200, Stats. 2009. Effective January 1, 2010.

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Local Authority: Enforcement of Disabled Persons Parking

22507.9. Local authorities may establish a special enforcement unit for the sole purpose of providing adequate enforcement of Section 22507.8 and local ordinances and resolutions adopted pursuant to Section 22511.7.

Local authorities may establish recruitment and employment guidelines that encourage and enable employment of qualified disabled persons in these special enforcement units.

Members of the special enforcement unit may issue notices of parking violation for violations of Section 22507.8 and local ordinances adopted pursuant to Section 22511.7. Members of the special enforcement unit shall not be peace officers and shall not make arrests in the course of their official duties, but shall wear distinctive uniforms and badges while on duty. A two-way radio unit, which may utilize police frequencies or citizens' band, may be issued by the local authority to each member of the special enforcement unit for use while on duty.

The local authority may pay the cost of uniforms and badges for the special enforcement unit, and may provide daily cleaning of the uniforms. Additionally, the local authority may provide motorized wheelchairs for use by members of the special unit while on duty, including batteries and necessary recharging thereof. Any motorized wheelchair used by a member of the special enforcement unit while on duty shall be equipped with a single headlamp in the front and a single stoplamp in the rear.

Members of the special enforcement unit may be paid an hourly wage without the compensatory benefits provided other permanent and temporary employees, but shall be entitled to applicable workers' compensation benefits as provided by law. Insurance provided by the local authority for disability or liability of a member of the special enforcement unit shall be the same as for other employees performing similar duties.

Nothing in this section precludes a local authority from using regular full-time employees to enforce this chapter and ordinances adopted pursuant thereto.

This section applies to all counties and cities, including every charter city and city and county.

Amended Sec. 127, Ch. 124, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.

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Parking Meter Zones

22508. Local authorities shall not establish parking meter zones or fix the rate of fees for such zones except by ordinance.

An ordinance establishing a parking meter zone shall describe the area which would be included within the zone.

Local authorities may by ordinance cause streets and highways to be marked with white lines designating parking spaces and require vehicles to park within the parking spaces.

No ordinance adopted by any local authority pursuant to this section with respect to any state highway shall become effective until the proposed ordinance has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department of Transportation. The proposed ordinance shall be submitted to the department only by action of the local legislative body and the proposed ordinance shall be submitted in complete draft form.

Any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section establishing a parking meter zone or fixing rates of fees for such a zone shall be subject to local referendum processes in the same manner as if such ordinance dealt with a matter of purely local concern.

Amended Ch. 545, Stats. 1974. Effective January 1, 1975.

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Off-street Parking: Zero-Emission Vehicles: Distinctive Decal

22511.

  1. Any local authority, by ordinance or resolution, and any person in lawful possession of an offstreet parking facility may designate stalls or spaces in an offstreet parking facility owned or operated by that local authority or person for the exclusive purpose of fueling and parking a vehicle that displays a valid zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) decal identification posted on the driver's side rear window or bumper of the vehicle or, notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the vehicle does not have a rear window or bumper, on the driver's side of the windshield issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this section. The designation shall be made by posting a sign in compliance with subdivision (d) or (e).
  2. If posted in accordance with subdivision (d) or (e), the owner or person in lawful possession of a privately owned or operated offstreet parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff's department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a stall or space designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in the facility to the nearest public garage if a valid ZEV decal identification issued pursuant to this section is not displayed on the vehicle.
  3. If posted in accordance with subdivision (d), the local authority owning or operating an offstreet parking facility, after notifying the police or sheriff's department, may cause the removal of a vehicle from a stall or space designated pursuant to subdivision (a) in the facility to the nearest garage, as defined in Section 340, that is owned, leased, or approved for use by a public agency if a valid ZEV decal identification issued pursuant to this section is not displayed on the vehicle.
  4. The posting required for an offstreet parking facility owned or operated either privately or by a local authority shall consist of a sign not less than 17 by 22 inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height which clearly and conspicuously states the following: "Unauthorized vehicles not displaying valid zero-emission vehicle decal identifications will be towed away at owner's expense. Towed vehicles may be reclaimed at
    ___________________________________________________ or by telephoning
    (Address)
    ____________________________________________________________________."
    (Telephone number of local law enforcement agency)
    The sign shall be posted in either of the following locations:
    1. Immediately adjacent to, and visible from, the stall or space.
    2. In a conspicuous place at each entrance to the offstreet parking facility.
  5. If the parking facility is privately owned and public parking is prohibited by the posting of a sign meeting the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 22658, the requirements of subdivision (b) may be met by the posting of a sign immediately adjacent to, and visible from, each stall or space indicating that a vehicle not meeting the requirements of subdivision (a) will be removed at the owner's expense and containing the telephone number of the local traffic law enforcement agency.
    1. For purposes of implementing this section, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall make available for issuance, beginning July 1, 2003, for a fee determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be sufficient to reimburse it for actual costs incurred pursuant to this section, distinctive decals for zero-emission vehicles.
    2. The department shall design the decal, which shall be two inches by two inches, and be placed on the driver's side rear window or bumper of the vehicle, or, notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the vehicle does not have a rear window or bumper, on the driver's side of the windshield. Each decal shall display a unique number. The decal may be provided to car dealers who sell electric vehicles for distribution to ZEV purchasers.
  6. For purposes of this section, "zero-emission vehicle" means any car, truck, or any other vehicle that produces no tailpipe or evaporative emissions.
  7. Nothing in this section is intended to interfere with existing law governing the ability of local authorities to adopt ordinances related to parking programs within their jurisdiction, such as programs that provide free parking in metered areas or municipal garages for electric vehicles.

Added Sec. 2, Ch. 640, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

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Zero-Emission Vehicles: Display of Decal

22511.1.

  1. A person may not park or leave standing any vehicle in a stall or space designated pursuant to Section 22511 unless a valid zero-emission vehicle decal identification issued pursuant to Section 22511 is displayed on that vehicle.
  2. A person may not obstruct, block, or otherwise bar access to parking stalls or spaces described in subdivision (a) except as provided in subdivision (a).
  3. A person shall not display a decal issued pursuant to Section 22511 on a vehicle that does not use electricity as the motive power.

Added Sec. 3, Ch. 640, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

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Utility Vehicles

22512. Except as otherwise indicated in subdivision (b), none of the following provisions shall apply to the driver 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 or public utility property or facilities, if warning devices are displayed and when the vehicle is stopped, standing, or parked at the site of work involving the construction, operation, removal, or repair of the utility or public utility property or facilities upon, in, over, under, or adjacent to a highway, bicycle lane, bikeway, or bicycle path or trail, or of a vehicle, whether privately, municipally, or publicly owned, if warning devices are displayed and when the vehicle is engaged in authorized work on the highway, bicycle lane, bikeway, or bicycle path or trail:

  1. Sections 21112, 21211, 21707, 21708, 22507.6, 24605, 25253, 25300, 27700, and 27907.
  2. This chapter, except Sections 22507, 22509, 22515, and 22517.
  3. Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650).

Amended Sec. 128, Ch. 124, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.

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Use of Fringe and Transportation Corridor Parking Facilities

22518. Fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities constructed, maintained, or operated by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 146.5 of the Streets and Highways Code shall be used only by persons using a bicycle or public transit, or engaged in ridesharing, including, but not limited to, carpools or vanpools. No person shall park any vehicle 30 feet or more in length or engage in loitering or camping, or vending or any other commercial activity, on any fringe or transportation corridor parking facility.

Added Ch. 1243, Stats. 1992. Effective September 30, 1992.

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Parking Near Designated Sidewalk Access Ramps

22522. No person shall park a vehicle within three feet of any sidewalk access ramp constructed at, or adjacent to, a crosswalk or at any other location on a sidewalk so as to be accessible to and usable by the physically disabled, if the area adjoining the ramp is designated by either a sign or red paint.

Amended Ch. 221, Stats. 1994. Effective January 1, 1995. Operative July 1, 1995.
Amended Sec. 22, Ch. 1007, Stats. 1999. Effective January 1, 2000.

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Abandonment Prohibited

22523.

  1. No person shall abandon a vehicle upon any highway.
  2. No person shall abandon a vehicle upon public or private property without the express or implied consent of the owner or person in lawful possession or control of the property.
  3. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and shall provide proof that the costs of removal and disposition of the vehicle have been paid. No part of any fine imposed shall be suspended. The fine may be paid in installments if the court determines that the defendant is unable to pay the entire amount in one payment.
  4. Proof that the costs of removal and disposition of the vehicle have been paid shall not be required if proof is provided to the court that the vehicle was stolen prior to abandonment. That proof may consist of a police report or other evidence acceptable to the court.
  5. The costs required to be paid for the removal and disposition of any vehicle determined to be abandoned pursuant to Section 22669 shall not exceed those for towing and seven days of storage. This subdivision does not apply if the registered owner or legal owner has completed and returned to the lienholder a "Declaration of Opposition" form within the time specified in Section 22851.8.
    1. If a vehicle is abandoned in violation of subdivision (b) and is not redeemed after impound, the last registered owner is guilty of an infraction. In addition to any other penalty, the registered owner shall be liable for any deficiency remaining after disposal of the vehicle under Section 3071 or 3072 of the Civil Code or Section 22851.10 of this code.
    2. The filing of a report of sale or transfer of the vehicle pursuant to Section 5602, the filing of a vehicle theft report with a law enforcement agency, or the filing of a form or notice with the department pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4456 or Section 5900 or 5901 relieves the registered owner of liability under this subdivision.

Amended Ch. 111, Stats. 1990. Effective January 1, 1991.
Amended Sec. 2, Ch. 676, Stats. 1996. Effective January 1, 1997.

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Abandonment: Presumption

22524.

  1. The abandonment of any vehicle in a manner as provided in Section 22523 shall constitute a prima facie presumption that the last registered owner of record is responsible for the abandonment and is thereby liable for the cost of removal and disposition of the vehicle.
  2. An owner who has made a bona fide sale or transfer of a vehicle and has delivered possession of the vehicle to a purchaser may overcome the presumption prescribed in subdivision (a) by demonstrating that he or she has complied with Section 5900 or providing other proof satisfactory to the court.
  3. This section shall become operative on July 1, 1989.

Repealed and Added Ch. 1267, Stats. 1988. Operative July 1, 1989.

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California Vehicle Code Division 15 - Size, Weight, and Load

Chapter 5. Weight

Article 4. Local Authorities

Increases

35700.

  1. The legislative body of any county or city may by ordinance permit the operation and moving of vehicles and loads upon highways under their respective jurisdictions of a maximum gross weight in excess of the maximum gross weight of vehicles and loads specified in this code.
  2. This section does not apply to state highways.

Vehicles Exempt

35720. No ordinance adopted pursuant to Section 35717 shall be effective with respect to:

  1. Any vehicle which is subject to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 1031) of Chapter 5 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code or any farm labor vehicle.
  2. Any street, road or highway which is not under the exclusive jurisdiction of the board of supervisors enacting such ordinance, except as otherwise provided in Section 35719, or, in the case of any state highway, until such proposed ordinance has been submitted by the board of supervisors to and approved in writing by the Department of Transportation. In submitting such a proposed ordinance to the department for approval, the board of supervisors shall designate therein, an alternate route or routes for the use of such vehicles which shall remain unrestricted by any local regulation as to weight limits or types of vehicles so long as the ordinance proposed shall remain in effect. The approval of such proposed ordinances by the Department of Transportation shall constitute an approval by the department of such alternate route or routes so designated.
  3. Any commercial vehicle coming from an unrestricted street, road or highway having ingress and egress by direct route to and from such restricted streets, roads, and highways when necessary for the purpose of making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares and merchandise from or to any building or structure located on such restricted streets, roads or highways or for the purpose of delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling or construction of any building or structure upon such restricted street, road or highway for which a building permit, if required, has previously been obtained therefor, or vehicles, machinery, or construction equipment used in connection with, the construction, repair or maintenance of such restricted street or public work projects located thereon.
  4. Any vehicle operated as an incident to any industrial, commercial or agricultural enterprise conducted upon any such street, road or highway.
  5. Any vehicle owned, operated, controlled, or used by a public utility or licensed contractor in connection with the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of any public utility facilities or public works projects.
  6. The operation of ambulances or hearses.

Amended Ch. 676, Stats. 1980. Effective January 1, 1981.

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California Vehicle Code Division 17 - Offenses and Prosecution

Chapter 1. Offenses

Article 3. Procedure on Parking Violations

40200.

  1. Any violation of any regulation that is not a misdemeanor governing the standing or parking of a vehicle under this code, under any federal statute or regulation, or under any ordinance enacted by local authorities is subject to a civil penalty. The enforcement of those civil penalties shall be governed by the civil administrative procedures set forth in this article.
  2. Except as provided in Section 40209, the registered owner and driver, rentee, or lessee of a vehicle cited for any violation of any regulation governing the parking of a vehicle under this code, under any federal statute or regulation, or under any ordinance enacted by a local authority shall be jointly liable for parking penalties imposed under this article, unless the owner can show that the vehicle was used without consent of that person, express or implied. An owner who pays any parking penalty, civil judgment, costs, or administrative fees pursuant to this article shall have the right to recover the same from the driver, rentee, or lessee.
  3. The driver of a vehicle who is not the owner thereof but who uses or operates the vehicle with the express or implied permission of the owner shall be considered the agent of the owner to receive notices of parking violations served in accordance with this article and may contest the notice of violation.

Amended Ch. 1244, Stats. 1992. Effective January 1, 1993.
Amended Ch. 1093, Stats. 1993. Effective January 1, 1994.

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California Vehicle Code Division 1: Section 260

Commercial Vehicle

260.

  1. A "commercial vehicle" is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
  2. Passenger vehicles and house cars that are not used for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit are not commercial vehicles. This subdivision shall not apply to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 ["Permits to Nonresident Owners"].
  3. Any vanpool vehicle is not a commercial vehicle.
  4. The definition of a commercial vehicle in this section does not apply to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 15200) of Division 6.

Amended Sec. 11, Ch. 861, Stats. 2000. Effective September 28, 2000. Operative December 31, 2001.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 222, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.

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California Vehicle Code Division 6 - Driver's Licenses

Chapter 7. Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Program

Article 2. Legislative Intent

15200. It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this chapter, to adopt those standards required of drivers by the Federal Highway Administration of the Department of Transportation, as set forth in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (Title XII of P.L. 99-570) and to reduce or prevent commercial motor vehicle accidents, fatalities, and injuries by permitting drivers to hold only one license, disqualifying drivers for certain criminal offenses and serious traffic violations, and strengthening licensing and testing standards. This act is a remedial law and shall be liberally construed to promote the public health, safety and welfare. To the extent that this chapter conflicts with general driver licensing provisions, this chapter shall prevail. Where this chapter is silent, the general driver licensing provisions shall apply. It is the further intent of the Legislature that this program be fee supported, and that the department fully recoup its costs within four years of the program's enactment.

Added Ch. 1509, Stats. 1988. Effective January 1, 1989.

Article 2. Definitions

15210. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, as used in this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

  1. "Commercial driver’s license" means a driver’s license issued by a state or other jurisdiction, in accordance with the standards contained in Part 383 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which authorizes the licenseholder to operate a class or type of commercial motor vehicle.
    1. "Commercial motor vehicle" means any vehicle or combination of vehicles that requires a class A or class B license, or a class C license with an endorsement issued pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 15278.
    2. "Commercial motor vehicle" does not include any of the following:
      1. A recreational vehicle, as defined in Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
      2. Military equipment operated for military purposes by civilian and noncivilian personnel, that is owned or operated by the United States Department of Defense or United States Department of Homeland Security,including the National Guard, as provided in Parts383 and 391 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
      3. An implement of husbandry operated by a person who is not required to obtain a driver’slicense under this code.
      4. Vehicles operated by persons exempted pursuant to Section 25163 of the Health and Safety Code or a vehicle operated in an emergency situation at the direction of a peace officer pursuant to Section 2800.
  2. "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as defined by the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 802).
  3. "Conviction" means an unvacated adjudication of guilt, or a determination that a person has violated or failed to comply withthe law in a court of original jurisdiction or by an authorized administrative tribunal, an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the person’s appearance in court, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted by the court, the payment of a fine or court costs, or violation of a condition of release without bail, regardless of whether or not the penalty is rebated, suspended, or probated.
  4. "Disqualification" means a prohibition against driving a commercial motor vehicle.
  5. "Driving a commercial vehicle under the influence" means committing any one or more of the following unlawful acts in a commercial motor vehicle:
    1. Driving a commercial motor vehicle while
    2. the operator’s blood-alcohol concentration level is 0.04 percent or more, by weight in violation of subdivision (d) of Section 23152.
    3. Driving under the influence of alcohol, as prescribed in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 23152.
    4. Refusal to undergo testing as required under this code in the enforcement of Subpart D of Part 383 or Subpart A of Part 392 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
  6. "Employer" means any person, including the United States, a state, or political subdivision of a state, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle or assigns drivers to operate that vehicle. A person who employs himself or herself as a commercial vehicle driver is considered to be both an employer and a driver for purposes of this chapter.
  7. "Fatality" means the death of a person as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
  8. "Gross combination weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a combination or articulated vehicle. In the absence of a value specified by the manufacturer, gross vehicle weight rating will be determined by adding the gross vehicle weight rating of the power unit and the total weight of the towed units and any load thereon.
  9. "Gross vehicle weight rating" means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single vehicle, as defined in Section 390.
    1. "Imminent hazard" means the existence of a condition that presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personal injury, or substantial endangerment to health, property, or the environment may occur before the reasonable foreseeable completion date of a formal proceeding begun to lesson the risk of death, illness, injury, or endangerment.
  10. "Noncommercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles that is not included within the definition in subdivision (b).
  11. "Nonresident commercial driver’s license" means a commercial driver’s license issued to an individual by a state under one of the following provisions:
    1. The individual is domiciled in a foreign country.
    2. The individual is domiciled in another state.
  12. "Schoolbus" is a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 545.
  13. "Serious traffic violation" includes any of the following:
    1. Excessive speeding, as defined pursuant to the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (P.L. 99-570) involving any single offense for any speed of 15 miles an hour or more above the posted speed limit.
    2. Reckless driving, as defined pursuant to the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (P.L. 99-570), and driving in the manner described under Section 2800.1, 2800.2, or 2800.3, including, but not limited to, the offense of driving a commercial motor vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
    3. A violation of a state or local law involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, arising in connection with a fatal traffic accident.
    4. A similar violation of a state or local law involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, as defined pursuant to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Title XII of P.L. 99-570).
    5. Driving a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver’s license.
    6. Driving a commercial motor vehicle without the driver having in his or her possession a commercial driver’s license, unless the driver provides proof at the subsequent court appearance that he or she held a valid commercial driver’s license on the date of the violation.
    7. Driving a commercial motor vehicle when the driver has not met the minimum testing standards for that vehicle as to the class or type of cargo the vehicle is carrying.
  14. "State" means a state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
  15. “Tank vehicle” means a commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis, including, but not limited to, cargo tanks and portable tanks, as defined in Part 171 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This definition does not include portable tanks having a rated capacity under 1,000 gallons.

In the absence of a federal definition, existing definitions under this code shall apply.

Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 504, Stats. 2001. Effective January 1, 2002.
Amended Sec. 38, Ch. 594, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004.
Amended Sec. 14, Ch. 952, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative September 20, 2005.
Amended Sec. 12, Ch. 574, Stats. 2006. Effective January 1, 2007.
Amended Sec. 7, Ch. 630, Stats. 2007. Effective January 1, 2008.

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